Farewell to a Legend: Dragon Ball Maestro Akira Toriyama Passes Away at 68
Akira Toriyama died on March 1 due to acute hemorrhage. One Piece manga creator Eiichiro Oda and Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto mourned the passing of Toriyama, whom they considered a major inspiration since childhood.
________Akira Toriyama Passes Away at 68
At the age of 68, Akira Toriyama, the creative genius behind the Dragon Ball manga and anime, bids us goodbye. His passing on March 8 due to an acute subdural hematoma echoed through the manga world. One Piece’s Eiichiro Oda And Naruto’s Masashi Kishimoto shares a heartfelt tribute as he mourns the passing of his inspirational colleague.”
The news of Akira Toriyama’s death was confirmed by Bird Studio, the manga company that Toriyama founded in 1983.
“It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm,” the studio wrote in a statement. “Also, he would have many more things to achieve.”
The Studio
The studio remembered his “unique world of creation”. “He has left many manga titles and works of art to this world,” the statement read. “Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years.”
__________The Studio
Naruto, One Piece creators react
Eiichiro Oda, One Piece’s creator, and Masashi Kishimoto, the mind behind Naruto, expressed deep sorrow, mourning the loss of Akira Toriyama in heartfelt statements.
Eiichiro Oda, the mind behind One Piece, honors Toriyama for transforming manga. Oda acknowledges Toriyama’s impact, breaking stereotypes by proving that manga can delight both kids and adults, transcending borders.
Growing up, Masashi Kishimoto immersed himself in Toriyama’s tales every week, from grade school through college. The characters inspired him to follow his passion and become a manga artist, a heartfelt journey that echoes the profound influence of Toriyama’s storytelling. “I wanted to make manga like yours! I wanted to be like you!” he said.
__________Naruto, One Piece creators react
__________Naruto, One Piece creators react
Who was Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama?
Born in Nagoya, Japan in 1955, Toriyama’s love for drawing began early. Deciding not to pursue higher education, he joined an advertising agency after high school, creating posters and following his artistic journey. Set the stage for it.
In 1978, Weekly Shonen Jump published Toriyama’s first work, Wonder Island, and its sequel, Wonder Island 2. Despite drawing inspiration from the era’s screen culture, including Dirty Harry and Ultraman, both manga failed to capture the hearts of readers. Failing that, it is a humble beginning for the great creator.
Undaunted by early setbacks, Toriyama persevered and delivered a breakthrough with ‘Dr. Slump’ in 1980. The comedic masterpiece revolved around the adventures of a robot girl who meets life’s challenges with humor and heart.
__________Who was Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama?
Akira toriyama creates Dragon Ball
In 1984, Akira Toriyama created the epic story of Dragon Ball, a creation that not only brought him global acclaim but established him as one of Japan’s most successful manga storytellers.
Sprouting from the roots of an earlier creation titled Dragon Boy, Toriyama’s Dragon Ball grew across 519 chapters in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995. This unprecedented saga spawned a multimedia phenomenon, including English-language comics, five TV adaptations, (with Dragon Ball Z resonating strongly in the West), numerous spin-offs, over 20 films, and a diverse collection of video games, cultivating a cultural legacy beyond the pages of manga.
Inspired by the spirit of Chinese and Hong Kong action films as well as Japanese folklore, Dragon Ball emerged as a unique kung fu twist on young adult manga. The narrative unveiled the iconic Son Goku, a spirited warrior in search of the Seven is a martial artist. The magical orbs, along with a motley crew of friends and foes, are leaving their indelible mark on popular culture.
After a brief hiatus, Akira Toriyama rekindled his creative flame, contributing to the Dragon Ball saga with blockbuster films such as Battle of Gods, Broly and the 2022 release Super Hero, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the beloved franchise.
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