Renowned Japanese manga creator Akira Toriyama, best known for his iconic work Dragon Ball, has passed away at the age of 68. His studio announced on Friday that Toriyama suffered from an acute subdural hematoma, a severe type of bleeding near the brain.
Dragon Ball, first published in 1984, quickly rose to prominence as one of the most influential and best-selling Japanese comics of all time. The series, which follows the adventures of Son Goku as he gathers magical dragon balls to defend Earth against alien threats, has captivated audiences worldwide and spawned numerous cartoon and film adaptations.
Fans have expressed their heartfelt tributes to Toriyama for creating characters that have become beloved icons of their childhood. Despite his passing, Toriyama leaves behind an enduring legacy of creativity and imagination.
Toriyama’s uncompleted works stand as a testament to his prolific career. His funeral, held on 1st March, was attended only by close family and a few friends, according to a statement from the Dragon Ball website.
“He would have many more things to achieve. However, he has left many manga titles and works of art to this world,” his studio remarked. “We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.”
Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of condolences from fans worldwide. “Thank you for creating a manga that represents my youth. Rest in peace, thank you for your hard work,” read a post on X, which garnered 500 likes instantly.
“It’s too soon, it’s too sad,” lamented another Japanese X user.
“His legacy will live on forever. Thank you for creating the most iconic anime character of all time, Akira,” wrote another fan.
Born in Nagoya, Japan, in 1955, Toriyama gained recognition in the early 1980s with his series Dr. Slump, featuring the adventures of a little girl robot named Arale and her scientist creator. However, Dragon Ball catapulted him to international fame and remains his most celebrated work.
Reflecting on Dragon Ball’s global success in a 2013 interview with the Japanese newspaper Asahi, Toriyama admitted, “I had no idea.” He described the series as a “miracle” that helped him overcome personal challenges and gain acceptance in society.
“When I was drawing the series, all I ever wanted to achieve was to please boys in Japan,” he confessed.
