Akira Toriyama, Creator of Dragon Ball, Dies at 68
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Breaking News
Akira Toriyama, the legendary manga artist and creator of Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and many other iconic works, has passed away at the age of 68.
News of Toriyama’s untimely demise was announced by the official Dragon Ball Z X account on March 7, revealing that Toriyama had succumbed to an acute subdural hematoma.
Farewell to an Extraordinary Talent
“It is with deep regret that we mourn the loss of Akira Toriyama, a passionate artist who had numerous ongoing works and so much left to achieve,” expressed Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo in a heartfelt statement.
Toriyama’s artistic contributions to the world of manga and art are vast and will be cherished forever. From his manga titles to his masterpieces of art, Toriyama’s unique creations have captivated an audience spanning 45 years. We hope that his extraordinary world of imagination will live on and continue to be loved by fans worldwide.
An Anime and Gaming Legend
Akira Toriyama’s artistic journey began when he won an amateur manga contest in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine at the young age of 23. He soon became a sensation with the creation of the beloved gag manga Dr. Slump in 1980.
However, Toriyama reached unprecedented heights with the publication of the legendary fantasy action comedy shonen series, Dragon Ball, in 1984. Dragon Ball’s immense popularity led to the creation of the widely adored Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super series, which influenced a new generation of mangaka including Eiichiro Oda, Tite Kubo, Masashi Kishimoto, and countless others.
Akira Toriyama’s contributions extend beyond manga. His artistic vision served as the foundation for Dragon Quest, one of Japan’s earliest console RPGs. Joining forces with Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, Toriyama co-developed the critically acclaimed game, Chrono Trigger, which to this day is hailed as one of the greatest RPGs ever made.
Recent developments in Toriyama’s career include his involvement in the upcoming Dragon Ball Z spin-off series, Dragon Ball Daima, for which he was in charge of original character designs. The series is set to follow the whimsical adventures of a chibi-stylized Goku and Vegeta and is expected to delight fans when it debuts in the fall of 2024. Furthermore, Sand Land, another game based on one of Toriyama’s works, is scheduled for release in April.
During a panel at New York Comic Con in 2023, Daima executive producer Akio Iyoku confirmed that Toriyama had played a much bigger role than usual, overseeing the story and character design for the upcoming series. Iyoku also teased that completely new episodes would be part of the storyline, increasing anticipation among fans.
With a heavy heart, we bid farewell to Akira Toriyama, a creative genius who has left an indelible mark on the world of manga, anime, and gaming. Rest in peace.
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