Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of Dragon Ball, passed away on March 1 due to a severe brain injury at the age of 68. The sad news was shared by the official Dragon Ball website, which paid tribute to Toriyama’s immense contribution to manga and art.
Toriyama’s journey in the manga world began with his hit series Dr. Slump in the late ’70s, which earned him a prestigious award in 1981. This success was only the start, as “Dragon Ball,” which began in 1984, skyrocketed in popularity and helped spread manga’s appeal worldwide. This series, inspired by earlier works and kung fu movies, has become one of the top-selling manga series globally and has a massive fan base, including in Western countries.
Even though Toriyama was known for his private life, his artistic genius extended to other areas. He contributed to the manga industry with various one-shot mangas and lent his creative talent to designing characters for famous video games like “Chrono Trigger” and Dragon Quest.
Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball and manga pioneer, dies at 68.
A legend in anime and gaming, his work includes Dr. Slump, Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and other classic works. https://t.co/G9wzWHWHLP pic.twitter.com/izi2CIBnfx
— IGN (@IGN) March 8, 2024
Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, dies at 68. Absolutely tragic. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/hJqdUQjqde
— Omni ☕️ (@InfernoOmni) March 8, 2024
Toriyama’s involvement with Dragon Ball didn’t end with the manga; he contributed to the screenplay of the movie Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and remained engaged with the series, including its recent films, the latest being Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in 2022.
A private funeral has been held for Toriyama, who leaves behind his wife, Yoshimi Katō, and their two children. His legacy, through Dragon Ball and his other creations, continues to inspire and entertain fans around the world. Source
