Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama Passes at 68

Akira Toriyama, the critically acclaimed creator of Dragon Ball, has passed away at the age of 68 according to a post on X by Dragon Ball’s official Twitter account. The beloved manga creator leaves behind an unassailable legacy and will certainly be missed by his loved ones and fans across the globe.

On March 1st, Toriyama passed away at 68 from an acute subdural hematoma, according to Dragon Ball’s X account. The post goes on to say that a small funeral service has been held with Toriyama’s immediate family and that fans should avoid sending flowers or other gifts.

Unfortunately, it appears as though Toriyama had a wide variety of projects in the work at the time of his passing. This undoubtedly includes his continued duties working on the Dragon Ball Super manga as well as Toriyama’s involvement with the upcoming Dragon Ball: DAIMA anime.

Akira Toriyama Leaves Behind an Unparalleled Body of Work That Stands the Test of Time

Though Dragon Ball is undoubtedly Toriyama’s most well-known work, the acclaimed creator was famous for a variety of projects. From Sand Land, to Dragon Quest, to Chrono Trigger, Toriyama’s distinctive art style is immediately recognizable to fans of manga, anime, and video games.

Part of what made Toriyama such a visionary manga creator (and caused Dragon Ball to become the juggernaut that it is), was his immaculate balance of action and comedy. Though works like Dragon Ball and Sand Land contain many thrilling action scenes, Toriyama’s earnest sense of humor remains the radiant soul of his work. It’s partly this humor that made his manga so visionary, in addition to Toriyama’s unapproachable artwork and incredible panel layout that kept readers on the edge of their seats.

Dragon Ball Remains One of the Most Influential Anime & Manga Franchises of All Time

Akira Toriyama’s work on Dragon Ball made it incredibly influential. Classics like One Piece and Naruto both show obvious influence from Dragon Ball with epic transformations and dynamic action. Apparently the feeling of admiration was mutual, as One Piece got a shoutout Easter Egg in Dragon Ball Super. Dragon Ball is so influential that even more modern series like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and One-Punch Man are still taking inspiration from Toriyama’s masterpiece.

In a post on Dragon Ball publisher Shueisha’s website, a handful of Toriyama’s friends gave tributes to the acclaimed creator. In a heartfelt post, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda said (as translated by Reddit user Death_Usagi):

It is too early.

The hole is too big. Sadness washes over me when I think that I will never see him again.

I have admired him so much since I was a child, so I remember the day he called me by name for the first time. On the way home from the day you used the word “friend” for me and Kishimoto, I remember being overjoyed with Kishimoto. I also remember the last conversation we had.

I was one of those who took the baton from the days when reading manga made you a fool, and he also created an era when both adults and children could enjoy reading manga. He showed us the dream that manga can go worldwide. It was like watching a hero going forward.

For not only mangakas but also creators in various industries, the excitement and emotion of the time of Dragon Ball serialization must have taken root in their childhood.His existence is like a big tree.

For the manga artists of our generation who stood on the same stage, Toriyama’s works became more and more important to me as I got closer to the same stage. I even felt being scary. But I am just happy to see the aloof man himself again. Because we love him on a blood level.

With respect and gratitude for the creative world he has left behind. I pray for his soulful rest in peace.

May heaven be the joyous world he envisioned.

Equally heartfelt was Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto’s tribute to the late legend:

Honestly, I don’t know what to write or how to write about something so sudden.

However, for now, I would like to express my thoughts and feelings to Toriyama-sensei, something I wish he would have asked me someday.

I grew up with Dr. Slump in the lower grades of elementary school and Dragon Ball in the upper grades, and it was natural for me to have his manga next to me as part of my life.

Even if I had a bad experience, watching Dragon Ball every week made me forget about it. It was a relief for me, a country boy who had nothing.

Because Dragon Ball was really fun!

It was when I was a university student that suddenly, the Dragon Ball that had been a part of my life for so many years ended.

I felt an incredible sense of loss and didn’t know what to look forward to.

But at the same time, it was also an opportunity for me to truly understand the greatness of the teacher who created Dragon Ball.

I also want to create works like yours!

I want to be like my teacher!

As I followed in my teacher’s footsteps and aspired to become a manga artist, that feeling of loss began to disappear.

Because making comics was fun.

I was able to find new fun by following my teacher.

My teacher has always been my guide.

I admired it.

I apologize for the inconvenience, but I would like to express my gratitude to the teacher.

For me, he was the god of salvation and the god of manga.

When we met for the first time, I was so nervous that I couldn’t say a word.

However, after meeting him many times at the Tezuka Prize screening committee, we became able to talk.

As Dragon Ball children, I and Mr. Oda went back to being children again, and when we talked excitedly about how much Dragon Ball was fun, as if we were competing with each other, I forgot how he looked a little shy and smiled. I can’t.

I have just received the news of the death of my teacher.

I feel an even greater sense of loss than when Dragon Ball ended…

I still don’t know how to deal with this hole in my heart.

Now I can’t even read my favorite Dragon Ball.

I don’t feel like I’ve been able to properly write this sentence that I want to convey to my teacher.

Everyone around the world was still looking forward to seeing your work.

If Dragon Ball’s one wish really comes true…I’m sorry…

Maybe that’s selfish, but it’s sad, sensei.

Thank you, Akira Toriyama-sensei, for all of your enjoyable works over the past 45 years.

And thank you very much for your hard work.

We are sure that the remaining family members are still deeply hurt.

Please take care of yourself.

I pray that Mr. Akira Toriyama rests in peace.

Few mangaka can claim the status of a legitimate titan like Toriyama can, and his loss will be felt by manga creators and fans the world over. Dragon Ball remains one of the greatest manga of all time, ensuring that Akira Toriyama’s legacy as one of the greatest mangaka of all time will endure.

All chapters of Dragon Ball are available on Manga Plus.

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Dragon Ball

From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

Created by

Akira Toriyama

First Film

Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

First TV Show

Dragon Ball

Latest TV Show

Super Dragon Ball Heroes

First Episode Air Date

April 26, 1989

Latest Episode

2019-10-05

Cast

Sean Schemmel , Laura Bailey , Brian Drummond , Christopher Sabat , Scott McNeil