The world woke up to sad news that the creator of one of the most loved Japanese comics of all time has died.
Akira Toriyama (68) suffered an acute subdural hematoma, which is a type of bleeding near the brain.
Toriyama’s Dragon Ball comic series debuted in 1984 and has become hugely popular around the world and the comic series has also spawned cartoon and film versions.
The original series followed a boy named, Son Goku, in his quest to collect magical dragon balls to defend Earth against alien humanoids called Saiyans.
Born in Nagoya, Japan, in 1955, Toriyama broke into the comic book world in the early 1980s with Dr. Slump, which tells the story of a little girl robot Arale and her scientist creator.
But Dragon Ball was his most famous work. To many fans, Son Goku’s journey from a kid who fumbles his martial arts training to a high-flying hero, who can shoot bolts of electricity from his hands, mirrors their own struggles against self-doubt as they grew into adulthood.
Dragon Ball inspired fan fiction writers and cosplayers who style their hair like the characters’ sharp and pointed locks.
The cartoon version has been dubbed in numerous languages and Dragon Ball action figures are a staple in toy stores from Japan to China and Southeast Asia.
Dragon Ball was one of the most influential and best-selling Japanese manga of all time and the comic series has also spawned cartoon and film versions.
Other anime creators also sent their tributes:
Some of the most highly-respected and popular manga artists have paid tribute to Toriyama.
One Piece manga artist, Eiichiro Oda, has expressed sadness at his fellow manga artist’s passing.
ONE PIECE creator Eiichiro Oda reacts to Toriyama’s passing.
“It is too early.
The hole is too big. Sadness washes over me when I think that I will never see him again.I have admired him so much since I was a child. I remember the day he called me by name for the first time,… pic.twitter.com/UmA8kjAcSm
— SUPER クロニクルス (@SupaChronicles) March 8, 2024
onepiece wouldn’t have existed without Dragon Ball pic.twitter.com/HJAdIFwfrl
— Pew (@pewpiece) March 8, 2024
Naruto creator, Masashi Kishimoto, also sent a tribute expressing his sadness.
“I just received the news of Sensei’s passing. I feel a tremendous sense of loss, more than when Dragon Ball ended… still don’t know how to deal with this hole in my heart. I can’t even read Dragon Ball, which I love…I pray that Akira Toriyama-sensei may rest in peace.”
NARUTO series creator Masashi Kishimoto reacts to Toriyama’s passing.
“I honestly don’t know what to write about this sudden event.
But for now, I would like to share my thoughts and feelings that I had hoped for one day Mr. Toriyama would ask me about it.I grew up with his… pic.twitter.com/ERgcfoUYGh
— SUPER クロニクルス (@SupaChronicles) March 8, 2024
Fans around the world have also paid tribute to Toriyama for creating characters that have become a part of their childhood.
Rest in peace to Akira Toriyama, the creator of the Dragon Ball series
Our childhood hero and an inspiration to all other anime/manga
R.I.P Akira Toriyama pic.twitter.com/WSx7R9eSPU
— Sumit (@SumitHansd) March 8, 2024
Rest in peace Akira Toriyama.
Dragon ball inspired me a lot as a kid and later on I discovered Dragon ball Z thanks to my familly.
This was a small animation I made for them.
Thank you for your great work, Merci beaucoup monsieur Toriyama. pic.twitter.com/vRJaIaiFgg
— 🥖 Kéké 🥖 (@Kekeflipnote) March 8, 2024
Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball, has died at 68. The only man who made sure at 5pm, every kid in South Africa is in their house!
Thank you for raising all of us💯✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/e0b9eJsFKK
— 𝗢𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗲 🔥🚀 (@unclescrooch) March 8, 2024
Heartbreaking that Toriyama passed before Dragon Ball Daima releases, which he was clearly so passionate about.
If it’s the last project he worked on, I’ll treasure it even more. pic.twitter.com/HOMPY7GDvT
— Ben B. Singer (@BenBSinger) March 8, 2024
R.I.P AKIRA TORIYAMA😭
Hello everyone, I still can’t believe what happened, I made this tribute to him, Akira Toriyama literally changed my life with Dragon Ball, I hope he lives forever in our hearts, and We never stopped loving Dragon Ball, rest in peace Akira sensei! 😢🙌 pic.twitter.com/5JHKwRaQ73
— @FELLIPART(Commissions Open) (@arts_dragonb) March 8, 2024
DRAGON BALL DAIMA is going to be an emotional watch now… 💔
Thinking Toriyama died in the 40th Anniversary year when the series was supposed to make a grand comeback… breaks me even more… 😕 pic.twitter.com/3XQIb3IpXi
— SUPER クロニクルス (@SupaChronicles) March 8, 2024
Thank you, Toriyama. My favourite scene from all of Dragon Ball is when Goku showed off Super Saiyan 3 for the first time. What’s your favourite? pic.twitter.com/fbrFrg3Xeh
— Burcol (@Burcol) March 8, 2024
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