Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama Passes Away at Age 68

Today, the manga community lost a legendary creator with the passing of Akira Toriyama. Born in Nagoya, Japan in 1955, Toriyama was best known for his iconic series Dragon Ball, which was first published in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984 and ran for over a decade. He also created the popular series Dr. Slump and provided character design and art for other notable franchises such as Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, Blue Dragon, and more.

Toriyama’s passing was announced by his Bird Studio on March 8th, with a statement expressing gratitude for the support of fans around the world during his lifetime. According to the statement, Toriyama passed away on March 1st due to acute subdural hematoma, at the age of 68. A private funeral was held with his close family, and a commemorative gathering for fans is yet to be confirmed.

Industry creators such as One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, Dragon Quest game designer Yuji Hori, Video Girl Ai creator Masakazu Katsura, and Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto shared their tributes to Toriyama on Shonen Jump’s website, reflecting on the impact his works had on their childhood and beyond.

Toriyama’s legacy extends far beyond his individual works. His contributions to the world of manga and anime have helped shape generations of fans and creators alike. For many, Dragon Ball was their first entry into the world of anime and manga, inspiring a lifelong passion for the medium. Toriyama’s imaginative worlds continue to inspire many more for generations to come.

Rest in peace, Akira Toriyama. Thank you for sharing your creativity and imagination with us. Your legacy will live on through the countless fans and creators whose lives you have touched.

https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2024/3/8/dragon-ball-creator-akira-toriyama-passes-away-age-68