On March 1, Akira Toriyama, the acclaimed manga artist renowned for creations such as Dragon Ball and Sand Land, tragically passed away at the age of 68 due to acute subdural hematoma. The news of Toriyama’s passing was shared through the official Dragon Ball X/Twitter page. The announcement expressed deep regret, noting that Toriyama had been actively working on several projects with great enthusiasm. It also mentioned that he had many more aspirations yet to fulfill.
The funeral ceremony was a private affair attended solely by his family and a select few relatives. In light of this, the statement requested that fans respect their privacy, refraining from seeking interviews or sending gifts and visits.
Toriyama’s journey in the world of manga began in Aichi Prefecture. He made his debut with Wonder Land, which was published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1978. His first serialized work, Dr. Slump, commenced in 1980 and swiftly garnered recognition, earning the 27th Shogakukan Manga Prize the following year.
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Following the sad news of Toriyama’s passing, the Shonen Jump website posted heartfelt messages from few affiliated manga artists. ONE PIECE‘s Eiichiro Oda, deeply saddened by Toriyama’s passing, remembered their interactions and praised Toriyama’s profound impact on the manga industry. He credited Toriyama with transforming manga into a widely respected art form and cherished their moments together. Oda expressed gratitude for Toriyama’s legacy and offered a heartfelt prayer for his peace in the afterlife.
Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto, reflected on the significant influence Akira Toriyama had on him, emphasizing that Dragon Ball played a pivotal role in his formative years. He expressed gratitude towards Toriyama for his contributions to manga over the span of 45 years, acknowledging the profound impact his works had on countless individuals, including himself.
Toriyama’s most iconic and long-lasting creation, Dragon Ball, commenced serialization in 1984. Although the original manga concluded in 1995, the franchise has maintained its popularity through numerous anime series, movies, and video games over the decades.
In 2015, the Dragon Ball Super anime and manga series debuted, continuing the story after the defeat of Majin Buu. This addition to the franchise has further expanded the Dragon Ball universe and captivated audiences worldwide.
Additionally, a new anime project titled Dragon Ball Daima is set to premiere this fall, marking the franchise’s 40th anniversary. Notably, Toriyama is directly involved in this project, contributing to the story and character designs, which promises to be a special celebration for fans of the series.
Source: @DB_official_en
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