The official Dragon Ball website announced on Friday that Toriyama passed away on March 1 due to an acute subdural hematoma, with his funeral already held by close relatives. The website’s statement expressed gratitude for Akira Toriyama’s contributions to the world of manga and art over his 45-year career and hoped that his unique works would continue to be cherished by fans globally.
The Enduring Legacy of Akira Toriyama
Akira Toriyama, one of Japan’s most renowned manga creators, will forever be associated with Dragon Ball, a series he authored and illustrated, first serialized in 1984. This martial arts-themed saga introduced iconic characters like Goku, Piccolo, Bulma, and Krillin, later adapted into a hugely popular anime series by Toei Animation. The franchise expanded into a multimedia empire with significant global influence.
Born in Nagoya, Japan on April 5, 1955, Toriyama began his mangaka journey in his early twenties, debuting with “Wonder Island” in 1978, followed by “Dr. Slump,” a comedic hit serialized from 1980 to 1984. Inspired by Hong Kong kung fu cinema, Toriyama’s Dragon Boy series led to the creation of Dragon Ball in 1984, blending martial arts with elements from “Journey to the West.” Dragon Ball’s publication in Weekly Shōnen Jump garnered immediate acclaim, selling over 150 million copies in Japan alone.
Akira Toriyama: Beyond Dragon Ball
Aside from his Dragon Ball legacy, Akira Toriyama collaborated on the multimedia franchise “Dragon Quest” with game designer Yuji Horii, composer Koichi Sugiyama, and publisher Square Enix. This collaboration resulted in a long-running series of role-playing video games, spin-offs, manga, anime, and novels, further cementing Toriyama’s impact on popular culture.
Must Read: Breaking | Jake Paul And Mike Tyson To Clash In Netflix Boxing Spectacle
Follow & Support Us: Instagram | Whatsapp | X | Facebook | Google News
