Akira Toriyama, one of the most influential and successful mangakas of all time, has passed away at the age of 68. His studio, Bird Studio, announced that Toriyama died on March 1st due to a blood clot in the brain. The news of his death has deeply affected millions of fans worldwide.
Toriyama is widely known as the creator of the iconic manga series “Dragon Ball”. This series, which debuted in 1984, follows the story of Son Goku, a young man on a quest for the mythical Dragon Balls to protect Earth from alien beings called Saiyans. “Dragon Ball” became a global phenomenon, spawning a successful anime series, video games, and movies. In total, 260 million copies of the series have been sold worldwide.
Toriyama’s influence extends beyond “Dragon Ball”. He inspired many other Japanese comic artists, such as Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the popular series “Naruto”, and Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the long-running anime “One Piece”. His legacy will endure in the world of manga and anime, and his creativity will continue to be cherished by future generations.
In Japan and around the world, tributes have been paid to Toriyama. Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, expressed condolences to the author’s family and highlighted how Toriyama’s work contributed to the international projection of Japanese culture. Additionally, in China, where “Dragon Ball” was inspired by the Chinese literature classic “Journey to the West”, condolences and gratitude were also expressed for his legacy.
Akira Toriyama’s departure leaves a void in the world of manga and anime, but his creativity and impact will endure in the memories of fans and the annals of pop culture.
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