The world of manga and anime is in mourning following the tragic news that renowned artist and writer Akira Toriyama has passed away at the age of 68.
Toriyama, best known as the creative mind behind the globally popular Dragon Ball franchise, died on March 1st due to an acute subdural hematoma according to official reports.
In a heartfelt message, Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo, companies closely associated with Toriyama, sadly informed fans and partners that the legendary artist has passed away.
“We are deeply saddened to inform you that Manga creator Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1st due to acute subdural hematoma. He was in age of 68,” the message solemnly stated.
Toriyama’s pioneering work and imaginative storytelling left an indelible mark on the manga industry and popular culture at large.
His first major serialized work, the comedic Dr. Slump, debuted in 1980 and paved the way for his most iconic creation – the seminal action series Dragon Ball.
Originally serialized from 1984 to 1995 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, Dragon Ball introduced the world to the heroic Saiyan warrior Goku and his adventures across bizarre worlds filled with powerful fighters and colorful characters.
The Dragon Ball phenomenon transcended the manga pages, spawning an equally beloved anime series and multiple sequels and films that carried the story through the Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super eras.
At the time of his passing, Toriyama was actively involved in crafting the story for the new Dragon Ball Daima anime series scheduled for 2024 release. His final original manga work, Sand Land, was adapted into an anime film in 2022 and an upcoming series.
Beyond his iconic series, Toriyama’s creative influence extended into the realm of video games through his character designs for major franchises like Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon.
