Akira Toriyama, the creator of the famous Dragon Ball manga and anime, has just passed away, leaving behind a legacy no one will ever be able to replicate.
Akira Toriyama, The father and creator of one of the most popular manga and anime series – Dragon Ball – has sadly passed away, as per an official statement on the Dragon Ball Twitter/X. He was 68 years of age.
According to the official statement, Toriyama suffered an acute subdural hematoma and passed away on March 1, 2024.
World Mourns Loss Of Akira Toriyama
Information ; Dear Friends and Partnershttps://t.co/85dXseckzJ pic.twitter.com/aHlx8CGA2M
— DRAGON BALL OFFICIAL (@DB_official_en) March 8, 2024
Dragon Ball has become one of the most iconic franchises in the world, spanning multiple games, shows, movies. It was one of the first breakthrough anime hits that made it to the western world and had a huge cultural impact worldwide, which can be seen everywhere to this day.
Dragon Ball first appeared in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1984 and was turned into an animated series two years later, with the first episodes airing in February 1986 in Japan and then later September 1986 in the United States.
In case you weren't aware of just how monumental of a figure Toriyama Akira is throughout Asia, the Chinese government just officially mourned his passing. https://t.co/uHTBmfKVS0
— Art-Eater (@Richmond_Lee) March 8, 2024
Toriyama leaves behind a legacy that is unmatched. He was involved in multiple other projects as well throughout his lifetime like the games Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger, where he designed the characters.
He has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years. We hope that Akira Toriyama's unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.
Toriyama wasn't a legend and inspiration to only fans, other artists and all walks of life praised him as the goat.We wouldn't have Naruto, one piece or many other manga we love without HIM.Kishimoto and Oda have responded. pic.twitter.com/jNE54Yyls3
— ABD (@AnimeBallsDeep) March 8, 2024
According to the official statement, Toriyama was still involved in multiple other projects. One of them was his other manga, Sand Land, which is set to get a game adaptation in April 2024.
Not just fans took to the internet, but other creators like One Piece's Eiichiro Oda and Naruto's Masashi Kishimoto also expressed their sadness online. Toriyama will continue to live on thanks to the multitude of manga and stories he's left behind, truly cementing himself in the history books.