The world of manga and anime has lost one of its brightest stars. Akira Toriyama, the mastermind behind the wildly successful “Dragon Ball” series, passed away at age 68, as revealed by his production team this past Friday. Toriyama’s legacy is immense, not only birthing Dragon Ball into existence in 1984, but also directly influencing the landscape of pop culture both in Japan and around the globe.
The “Dragon Ball” franchise, with its high-flying martial arts action and endearing characters, quickly transcended its initial manga roots to become a multimedia juggernaut that includes beloved anime adaptations, blockbuster movies, and bestselling video games. In terms of sales, Dragon Ball remains one of the most successful manga series ever, its iconic status unchallenged even decades after its debut.
Unfortunately, Toriyama’s untimely death on March 1 came as a consequence of an acute subdural hematoma—a severe blood clot within the brain. The tragic news was disseminated through the former social platform Twitter, now known as X, via the official “Dragon Ball” account. “It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation,” lamented a statement from Bird Studio, Toriyama’s creative team, underscoring the creator’s persistent passion and dedication to his craft.
His passing was not only a loss to the ongoing projects but deeply felt by the entire manga and anime community, and beyond. “He would have many more things to accomplish. However, he has left many manga titles and works of art for this world,” continued the Bird Studio announcement. The statement communicated a hope that “Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.”
Toriyama’s journey to becoming a household name began with his comedic work “Dr. Slump” in the early 1980s. It was after this initial success that he introduced the world to “Dragon Ball,” drawing inspiration from classical Chinese kung fu cinema interwoven with his unique storytelling charm. The central narrative revolves around Son Goku, a young martial artist who embarks on epic quests to collect magical dragon balls that have the power to summon dragons capable of granting wishes, always striving to protect the Earth from a myriad of menacing foes.
The 1990s marked a zenith for Toriyama’s creation with “Dragon Ball Z,” an anime series that captured the hearts of a global audience, solidifying the franchise’s place in popular culture. Additionally, Toriyama lent his artistic vision to the virtual world as a member of the design team for the acclaimed “Dragon Quest” video game series. However, not all endeavors bore fruit, most notably the ill-received live-action adaptation “Dragonball Evolution” in 2009 that suffered poor box-office performance and critical reception.
Publishing giant Shueisha, which serialized the Dragon Ball comics through its Shonen Jump magazine, expressed profound sorrow upon receiving the news of Toriyama’s death. The company was not alone in their grief, with tributes pouring in from across the industry, including revered peers like Eiichiro Oda, the talent behind the “One Piece” franchise. “It is too early. The hole is too big,” Oda conveyed, overwhelmed by the void left by Toriyama’s departure and the personal impact of the loss.
In a reflection of his philosophy on creating manga, Toriyama once commented in an Asahi newspaper interview back in 2013, “I just hope that readers will have a fun time reading my works. There’s nothing else I want them to achieve.” He candidly described himself as a challenging individual, labeling “Dragon Ball” as a “miracle” for how it allowed someone with his quirky disposition to succeed and find acceptance. Toriyama went on to admit his bewilderment at the international fame “Dragon Ball” attained, stating, “When I was drawing the series, all I ever wanted to achieve was to please boys in Japan.”
The magnitude of Akira Toriyama’s impact on anime, manga, and indeed, on generations of fans, cannot be understated. As tributes and condolences continue to arise from every corner of the globe, it becomes undeniably clear that although the creator may have left us, the world of Dragon Ball and the joy it imparts will continue to resonate and inspire for years to come.
