It’s time for citizens of the universe to lend their condolences. Legendary Japanese artist and creator of the Dragon Ball series, Akira Toriyama, passed away from a serious medical condition at the age of 68. Toriyama’s body of work not only left an indelible mark on the anime and manga landscape but also played a pivotal role in shaping the world of gaming.
The visionary creator was heavily involved with the character and visual designs of classic video games such as Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger, as well as the many Dragon Ball game titles. The somber announcement was made on March 7. The official Dragon Ball X (formerly Twitter) account revealed that Akira Toriyama had passed away at the age of 68.
Information ; Dear Friends and Partnershttps://t.co/85dXseckzJ pic.twitter.com/aHlx8CGA2M
— DRAGON BALL OFFICIAL (@DB_official_en) March 8, 2024
The cause of Toriyama’s untimely death was disclosed – in a rather unusual move when something like this happens – as an acute subdural hematoma, a tragic turn of events that has left fans mourning the loss of a creative genius.
The announcement, accompanied by a statement from Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo, expressed deep regret that Toriyama had several ongoing projects that he approached with great enthusiasm. The statement also acknowledged Toriyama’s substantial contributions to the world of manga and art over his illustrious 45-year career.
Toriyama’s journey in the manga industry began at the age of 23 when he entered an amateur manga creator contest in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine. His breakthrough came with the serialization of the beloved gag manga Dr. Slump in 1980, establishing him as a formidable talent.
In 1984, he published the groundbreaking fantasy action comedy shonen super-powered battle series, Dragon Ball. Inspired by the Monkey King from Journey to the West, Dragon Ball and its sequels such as Dragon Ball Z would go on to inspire a generation of creators, including Eiichiro Oda, Tite Kubo, and Masashi Kishimoto, who later produced iconic series like One Piece, Bleach, and Naruto.
Moreover, the main character of Son Goku is often compared with DC Comics’ Superman in terms of pop culture fame and influence. Beyond the realm of manga, Toriyama’s impact extended into the gaming industry. His distinctive art style served as the foundation for Dragon Quest (aka Dragon Warrior in the U.S.), a pioneering console RPG in Japan.
In the mid-90s, Toriyama collaborated with Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi to create Chrono Trigger, a timeless Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) masterpiece. He was heavily involved with the various video games based on Dragon Ball, such as the latest upcoming entry in Bandai Namco’s Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series.
Toriyama’s final project, Dragon Ball Daima, was in the works at the time of his passing. The series features chibi-stylized versions of Goku and Vegeta, embarking on new adventures within Dragon Ball‘s whimsical world.
During a panel at New York Comic Con 2023, Daima executive producer Akio Iyoku revealed that Toriyama was deeply involved in overseeing the story, character design, and other aspects of the series. Iyoku also teased entirely new episodes planned by Toriyama, sparking DBZ fans’ anticipation for the series, which is scheduled for release in the fall of 2024.
As fans and the creative community mourn the loss of Toriyama, his legacy remains vivid through the timeless characters and stories he crafted. How will the world continue to embrace and honor the unique creations that Akira Toriyama has left behind? What are your own memories of the manga, anime, and video games that Toriyama worked on during his legendary career?
