Tokyo, Japan – Renowned manga artist Akira Toriyama, acclaimed for his creation of the globally beloved “Dragon Ball” series, passed away at the age of 68 due to complications from an acute subdural hematoma. Toriyama, also known for his work as a character designer on the “Dragon Quest” video games, leaves behind a rich legacy of influential and iconic creations that have captivated audiences worldwide for over four decades.
His most notable work, “Dragon Ball,” originally serialized from 1984 to 1995, follows the adventurous journey of Goku, a martial artist who evolves into a powerful hero while safeguarding Earth from various threats. The manga was adapted into the immensely popular anime series “Dragon Ball” and “Dragon Ball Z,” which played a key role in popularizing anime globally and led to the expansion of the “Dragon Ball” universe through films and video games.
Toriyama’s impact on the manga industry extended beyond his own works, influencing and inspiring fellow manga artists such as Eiichiro Oda, creator of “One Piece,” and Masashi Kishimoto, creator of “Naruto.” Both artists paid tribute to Toriyama’s profound influence on their careers and the world of manga, acknowledging his unparalleled creativity and storytelling prowess.
While “Dragon Ball” solidified Toriyama’s reputation as a master of action-packed storytelling, his earlier work on “Dr. Slump,” a comedic manga series that preceded “Dragon Ball,” showcased a different side of his creativity. The crossover appearances of “Dr. Slump” characters in “Dragon Ball” highlighted Toriyama’s versatility and his ability to craft diverse narratives.
In addition to his contributions to manga and anime, Toriyama’s impact extended to the world of video games through his character design work on popular titles like “Dragon Quest” and “Chrono Trigger.” Despite his extensive portfolio of projects, Toriyama remained closely connected to the “Dragon Ball” universe, actively involved in the creation of the most recent film installment, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” showcasing his continued dedication to his iconic creation.
As fans mourn the loss of a legendary artist, Bird Studio, Toriyama’s creative studio, revealed that the artist had several projects in progress at the time of his passing, including the much-anticipated anime series “Dragon Ball Daima” and the upcoming “Sand Land” anime adaptation. The announcement of Toriyama’s passing marks the end of an era in the world of manga and anime, leaving behind a timeless legacy that will continue to inspire generations of fans around the globe.