The global manga and anime community is mourning the loss of the legendary artist and writer, Akira Toriyama, who passed away at the age of 68.
Toriyama, the mastermind behind the internationally acclaimed Dragon Ball series, succumbed to an acute subdural hematoma on March 1st, as per official announcements.
Announcement by Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo
Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo, organizations closely associated with Toriyama, sorrowfully announced the passing of the iconic artist to fans and partners.
We regret to announce that Akira Toriyama, the esteemed Manga creator, passed away on March 1st due to acute subdural hematoma at the age of 68
— the announcement read.
Toriyama's groundbreaking work and imaginative storytelling have left a profound impact on the manga industry and popular culture worldwide. His first major serialized work, the humorous Dr. Slump, premiered in 1980 and laid the foundation for his most famous creation – the revolutionary action series, Dragon Ball.
First 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 thrilling adventures in exotic worlds filled with formidable fighters and vibrant characters.
The Dragon Ball phenomenon extended beyond the manga pages, spawning a much-loved anime series and numerous sequels and films that continued the story through the Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super eras.
At the time of his death, Toriyama was actively participating in the development of the story for the new Dragon Ball Daima anime series, set to release in 2024. His last original manga work, Sand Land, was adapted into an anime film in 2022 and is set to become a series.
Toriyama's creative influence also reached the video game industry, where he designed characters for major franchises like Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon. His legacy will continue to inspire and entertain generations to come.