Akira Toriyama, a Legend in Manga and Gaming, and Creator of ‘Dragon Ball’ Has Passed Away at the Age of 68

The collective communities of anime, manga, and gaming have come together to mourn the loss of a great legend. Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball and the visionary behind iconic works like Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest, has died at the age of 68. The Dragon Ball Z X (formerly Twitter) account reported his passing from an "acute subdural hematoma" on March 8th, 2024. His impact on fans as well as authors and animators has been beyond words, with many flocking to social networks to remember his life and work and express their collective grief.

The Making of a Legendary Legacy: Akira Toriyama

Toriyama's journey in the manga industry began at the age of 23 when he entered an amateur manga creator contest in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine. In 1980, he made his breakthrough work, Dr. Slump, which demonstrated his ability to combine humor with gripping narrative.

But what really solidified his name was the Dragon Ball franchise he created in 1984. Dragon Ball is a journey that combines humor, martial arts, and epic battles and Toriyama brought it all to life. The series became and remains a global success, inspiring numerous other manga and anime series including One Piece, Bleach, and Naruto in addition to an immensely popular anime adaptation. The popularity of Dragon Ball paved the door for the much more successful Dragon Ball Z and the most recent Dragon Ball Super, solidifying Toriyama's place as a major figure in anime history.

A Legacy That Crossed The Boundary of Platforms

Toriyama's influence extended beyond manga and anime. He played a pivotal role in the gaming industry, contributing character designs to iconic titles like Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger. His collaboration with Yuji Horii and Hironobu Sakaguchi on Chrono Trigger is still hailed as one of the greatest games of all time.

The Dragon Ball franchise has also seen the release of numerous titles in the gaming landscape with success. While he didn’t play a major part in their creation, it is still amazing to see the reach that Dragon Ball has had with it branching out to other forms of media and entertainment. 

At the time of his death, Toriyama was actively involved in several projects, including the upcoming Dragon Ball Z spin-off series, Dragon Ball Daima. His dedication to his craft and his unwavering passion for storytelling were evident in his continued creative pursuits.

While the world has lost a visionary artist, Akira Toriyama's legacy lives on through his timeless creations. His unique storytelling style, memorable characters, and boundless imagination have left an indelible mark on the world of manga, anime, and gaming. As we remember his contributions, we celebrate the life and work of a true pioneer whose influence will continue to inspire generations to come.