Akira Toriyama, visionary creator of the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball, has passed away at the age of 68.
This was announced today on the official Dragon Ball website and social media channels.
Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo’s official statement revealed that Toriyama was still actively working on several projects at the time of his passing. Furthermore, it was emphasized that the funeral will be a private affair for family and close relatives. Gifts, offerings, and media requests for interviews with the family were respectfully declined.
Information ; Dear Friends and Partnershttps://t.co/85dXseckzJ pic.twitter.com/aHlx8CGA2M
— DRAGON BALL OFFICIAL (@DB_official_en) March 8, 2024
Akira Toriyama may have been prominently recognized for Dragon Ball but his contributions to the manga and gaming industries go far beyond just that. His original series, Dr. Slump was a critically acclaimed gag manga and had several crossovers with Dragon Ball itself.
The most recent event happened in an episode of DB: Super where Goku and Arale face off in a sparring match as Vegeta remarks on the latter’s “gag-realm” strength.
Beyond Dragon Ball, which cemented his status as an icon, Akira Toriyama’s contributions to the gaming industry were substantial. He served as a character designer for the beloved Dragon Quest franchise, the critically acclaimed Chrono Trigger title, and Blue Dragon based on the popular anime series.
His most recent video game work included the upcoming RPG Sand Land and character designs for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Perhaps he was also contributing to Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero in some form.
For now, the manga for Dragon Ball Super will continue as planned along with other known projects under the supervision of senior members.
Born in 1955, Akira Toriyama’s influence on the entertainment world is undeniable. Having inspired countless popular manga artists, his legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations to come.
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