Akira Toriyama, the renowned Japanese manga artist, passed away on March 1 due to an acute subdural hematoma. He was 68 years old. Toriyama was best known for his work on “Dragon Ball” and “Dr. Slump,” which gained global recognition and were translated and published in various countries. His work also inspired many creators across industries.
Toriyama’s passing was confirmed by his publisher, Shueisha, who announced that funeral services had already been held and attended by close relatives. The news of his passing was met with an outpouring of condolences and tributes from fans and fellow creators worldwide.
Masashi Kishimoto, the author of Naruto, and Eiichiro Oda, the One Piece manga artist, were among those who paid tribute to Toriyama. Kishimoto expressed his gratitude for Toriyama’s work, stating that it helped him forget his troubles during difficult times. Oda praised Toriyama for being one of the founders of an era where both adults and children could enjoy manga and inspiring creators across industries.
Toriyama’s work extended beyond manga, as he also designed characters for the popular role-playing game series Dragon Quest. Yuji Horii, the creator of Dragon Quest, recalled his long-standing relationship with Toriyama, who designed characters and monsters for the game for 37 years.
Toriyama’s impact on Japanese manga culture was significant, as his work helped gain global acclaim for the medium. American singer Chris Brown also paid tribute to Toriyama on his Instagram, thanking him for shaping his childhood.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi acknowledged Toriyama’s global appeal during a news conference on Friday, stating that he played an extremely important role in demonstrating Japan’s soft power.
Toriyama’s legacy will continue to live on through his work and the impact he had on the manga industry and creators worldwide.