Ladies and gentlemen… The most depressing manga news is about to unfold for many manga readers… Today, the manga industry mourns for the passing of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump mangaka creator Akira Toriyama. Toriyama’s reputation isn’t just big, but arguably, one of the most well known mangakas ever in history. Toriyama was the mastermind responsible for not only creating a revolutionary manga series that became the most famous and well known manga worldwide that created a generation. He also revolutionized a serialization company, a genre, an industry, and a concept that many mangaka follow to this day.
The official Dragon Ball Twitter account released a statement regarding the death of Akira Toriyama.
As of right now, according to reports, Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1, 2024. His cause of death was acute subdural hematoma. To make the matters even sadder, he had several works that remained unfinished. His funeral services were held with his family and relatives. According to their statements, funeral gifts, visits, and interviews will not be accepted or permitted.
Further announcements of Toriyama’s commemorate is not decided. Eventual conformation will soon proceed.
Akira Toriyama was one of the most successful and well known manga artists in the world. In fact, he’s probably the most successful, and influential in manga history since Osamu Tezuka. His Dragon Ball franchise set the stage for the future of Shounen manga. Many manga since then, such as Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece and Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto, are prime examples of a success story through the use of Dragon Ball’s influence. Many other Shounen manga continue the legacy of Dragon Ball’s groundbreaking and influential themes into modern Shounen manga. Not only that, but he became the iconic face of Shounen Jump, and basically gave Jump an identity. He made Goku become an unofficial mascot of Weekly Shounen Jump. Toriyama will be deeply missed by many, including myself, for he revolutionized manga, and if it wasn’t for him, then manga would not be where it is today. Generations of fans, and even those who aren’t, who be in great mourning for the passing of this manga legend. Who will be forever remembered for not only making Dragon Ball, but leaving behind an amazing arty style that still stands out and remains iconic to this day. Everyone knows Goku. He is basically the Super Mario or Superman of manga and anime. He is so popular that even those who aren’t into manga, anime or Dragon Ball, know who he is. Dragon Ball, alongside Gundam, was a pioneer of revolutionizing the otaku culture in the 1980s and 1990s, hence why Dragon Ball is constantly mentioned in the otaku culture. Dragon Ball began an otaku theme that still lives on to this day.
To make the matters even sadder, he passes away on the 40th anniversary of Dragon Ball… Farewell Akira Toriyama… You will be missed forever greatly, by fans, and all of us otaku… (1955-2024)
Sources: Dragon-Ball-Official-Website, Twitter
Animangemu 