Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of the globally beloved manga and anime series Dragon Ball, passed away on March 1 at the age of 68. His production studio announced that Toriyama died from an acute subdural hematoma.
Legacy of Dragon Ball
Toriyama’s Dragon Ball first appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1984. The series follows the adventures of Son Goku as he trains in martial arts and searches for the seven Dragon Balls to summon a wish-granting dragon. Dragon Ball became a massive success, selling over 260 million copies worldwide and leading to numerous anime adaptations, video games, and even a live-action movie.
Beyond Dragon Ball
In addition to Dragon Ball, Toriyama’s career spanned over 45 years and included other notable works such as Dr. Slump and Sand Land. He also designed characters for the popular Dragon Quest video games. His influence in the manga and anime industry was profound, and his works have been enjoyed by multiple generations.
Market Impact
Following the announcement of Toriyama’s death, shares in Toei Animation Co., the studio responsible for the Dragon Ball animated films, dropped by as much as 4.4%. This decline reflects the significant impact Toriyama had on the company and the industry as a whole.
Tributes and Reactions
The news of Toriyama’s passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow artists. One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda praised Toriyama for showing that manga could be enjoyed by both children and adults. Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto expressed that Toriyama’s work inspired him to become a manga artist, saying, “I wanted to make manga like yours! I wanted to be like you!”
The official Goku X account posted a tribute in true Dragon Ball fashion, saying, “Just received word from King Kai. Legendary manga creator and the father of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama, has passed through the Other World Check-In Station.”
Fans also shared their grief on social media. One user wrote, “This Dragon Ball Super outro feels like the perfect tribute to Akira Toriyama. I’m so sad.. thank you so, so much Akira Toriyama. Thank you for everything you gave to us. The magic, the wonder, everything.” Another lamented that Toriyama passed away before the release of Dragon Ball Daima, which he was passionate about, stating, “If it’s the last project he worked on, I’ll treasure it even more.”
A heartfelt message from a fan read, “Akira Toriyama. This hurts man. You made my childhood. You enhanced my adulthood. You will forever be a GOAT. Thank you and Rest In Peace.”
Conclusion
Akira Toriyama’s death marks the end of an era for the manga and anime community. His creations have left an indelible mark on the industry, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come.