Akira Toriyama, the artist behind iconic manga like Dragon Ball, has passed away aged 68. His death was confirmed by the official Dragon Ball website, which noted that he still had “several works in the middle of creation”. A statement added: “He has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.”
Toriyama’s unique art direction is legendary, and he also contributed to many video games, creating character designs for the Dragon Quest series and also Chrono Trigger. Later this year, his one-off manga Sand Land will be adapted into a full-scale action RPG by Bandai Namco, which is scheduled to release on 26th April.
Over a career spanning almost 45 years, Toriyama first found success with Dr Slump, but he achieved global fame with Dragon Ball, which debuted in 1984. He would go on to work on a number of different projects throughout the 90s as he adopted a smaller creative role on Dragon Ball, but returned to the series full-time more recently with the ongoing Dragon Ball Super series.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 38
So sad. May he rest in peace. Thoughts go out to his friends and family.
The sheer amount of influence this man had over modern fiction is difficult to comprehend.
For me, he was and still is the GOAT.
Wow, what an absolutely monumental loss to wake up to. It’s hard to think of anyone besides Tezuka who’s made a bigger impact on manga and honestly the wider world. Modern superhero films especially owe a lot to his blend of humour and over the top action.
What a loss. He surely won't be forgotten.
We lost a legend =(
Dropping this for him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qQBzLSPDHM
This ***** hurts…,
An absolute legend that will be missed but at least his work will live on for generations to come 🕊️
The world of manga, and comics in general, has lost another legend.
Even though I outgrew Dragon Ball a long time ago it still has a special place in my heart because it was not only one of the first mangas I ever read but also one of the very first works that introduced me to the Japanese entertainment industry.
Rest in peace Toriyama sensei, and thank you for your hard work and timeless contributions.
Such an influential man. He is responsible for anime being so famous worldwide. Such a unique style too that you always can identify his work just by seeing the characters. I am really sad...it is now time to finally end my Dragon Ball journey properly, see all the episodes and play the Kakarot videogame.
Will also buy the new Sand Land game day one in his honour.
Thanks for everything, master. Rest in peace
Much sadness. Such is life though. I wonder how this will impact dragon ball and if it will come to a halt.
Man was a game changer, biggest impact on Japanese media, he'll be missed without a doubt.
That totally sucks. Many of us grew up on his work.
Dragon Ball is so iconic in my mind that for Christmas this year I bought my son the complete box set of Dragon Ball as his first full set of Manga. I wanted him to experience it before all the others. And he loves it, he’s read through all the books multiple times already.
The fact Akira won’t get to finish some of his creations is a shame. And I hope they can either release them in part or have someone who worked with him finish them off in some way to continue his legacy.
What a great loss. RIP Goku’s Dad.
One of the greatest indeed. The term G.O.A.T. is thrown around so much it's lost its meaning, but his work will hopefully will be appreciated for generations to come. More importantly, as others have said, even the people who don't know anything about him may appreciate all the works that will come out that will be directly or directly influenced by him.
May he rest in peace.
One of the greatest people to ever live, RIP Toriyama
Terrible news, imagine what other projects were still to come, but what a legacy to leave.
End of an era in so many ways.
Dragon Quest XII in particular is likely going to be the last of its kind. Not that they won't make any more, but the series has lost 2 of the 3 people that shaped it's identity throughout the years, and will be the last time either of them contributed.
I swear to god this decade has been way too harsh. Way too many good people dying before they should be.
Thanks so much for what you have given us Toriyama-san. Forever in our hearts forever in our minds.
I hope you passed away peacefully and painfree.
68 is no age to go, especially for a Japanese person.
Very sad day.
And I hope Masako and the other voice actors are doing ok. I can imagine they are like one big family and have been close with each other over the many years they have worked together.
We lost a great one. RIP King 👑
The man he gave a lot of fantastic stuff he will be missed by me and many others thats a fact. I was really shocked when I heard the news. My respects to the family. RIP mister Toriyama thanks for all the years of so many fantastic things your influences will be felt for ages.
Supposedly died from a head injury so definitely unexpected.
RIP. This man shaped my childhood. Hope heaven is as beautiful as he imagined.
No way, I've not watched dragon ball in years but Its crazy to think that it runs through the generations since it came out in 1984, even my grandad enjoyed watching it with me when I was a kid and he was sixty odd years old back then in the 90s.
RIP to that legend, that 9000 power level will get him too the holy gates in no time.
Never got into Dragon Ball which is something I've always wanted to give a better shot at but you can't deny the impact Akira Toriyama has had on video games and manga, hell comics in general. Just look at Shonen like Naruto and One Piece, along with countless others that are obviously inspired by his works and the different games influenced by the art style of Dragon Quest. The guy's reach and talent were insane and is deeply saddening that he passed.
RIP to the man responsible for a lot of our childhoods.
His art remains with us forever. I hope to introduce my kids to the world of Dragonball one day
This man did so much and influenced a lot of people and series. Rest in peace legend.
Sad news. I grew up with his art in animes and games, a huge loss indeed.
This will leave Dragon Quest as one of my favorite franchises lacking, however now is not the time for that. Best wishes for his family and friends!
Akira Toriyama was a MACHINE. So incredibly creative and an insanely fast artist. The man has earned his rest and we live on in our memories. He inspired me to improve my skills at drawing as a kid and to this day I can still draw in his style on the fly. Hours and hours mimicking his art. What a legend. Love him forever.
2024 SUCKS. This a great loss 😔
Gona play the heck out of some DQ this weekend. Rest in peace ❤️
Another legend gone. R.I.P Toriyama-san you will be missed.
Very said news. Praying for his friends and family.
Admittedly I'm not an anime or manga fan, however I respect the heck out of this guy and his influence, accomplishments and importance to that industry as well as the gaming industry. R.I.P sir.
Truly a legend! A great loss for manga, anime and even for video games.
This is depressing. He was so young as well. His influence over manga/anime/video games will always exist. He’s a legend. I can remember my schooldays coming home and sitting in front of the TV waiting for Toonami. I remember buying that DBZ card game with my bros and not knowing how to play 😂😂 I’ve recently been playing DQXI and loved his designs there. This is a huge loss for the world
@ShogunRok Aye, the guy was a legend, he's responsible for a lot of the happy memories from my younger days, and he's the guy that got me into drawing in the first place, never met him but if I did I'd really want to say thanks, for everything, feels gutting knowing he's gone, but he certainly won't be forgotten!
Rest in Piece
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