Manga Legends Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto React to Akira Toriyama’s Passing

As you all know, famous Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump manga artist and creator Akira Toriyama passed away recently on March 1, 2024. His death was then announced on March 7, 2024, by the official Dragon Ball website and its Twitter account. There is worldwide mourning across the spectrum, and many manga artists, game developers, celebrities, athletes, and even political leaders, have expressed their sadness over Toriyama’s death.

The most notable ones, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, and Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto, have released a long statement in regard to Toriyama’s passing, and the amount of emotion expressed by the two legends. Their statements were released via official Weekly Shonen Jump.

Eiichiro Oda’s statement.

It is too early.

The hole is too big. Sadness washes over me when I think that I will never see him again.

I have admired him so much since I was a child, so I remember the day he called me by name for the first time. On the way home from the day you used the word “friend” for me and Kishimoto, I remember being overjoyed with Kishimoto. I also remember the last conversation we had.

I was one of those who took the baton from the days when reading manga made you a fool, and he also created an era when both adults and children could enjoy reading manga. He showed us the dream that manga can go worldwide. It was like watching a hero going forward.

For not only mangakas but also creators in various industries, the excitement and emotion of the time of Dragon Ball serialization must have taken root in their childhood.His existence is like a big tree.

For the manga artists of our generation who stood on the same stage, Toriyama’s works became more and more important to me as I got closer to the same stage. I even felt being scary. But I am just happy to see the aloof man himself again. Because we love him on a blood level.

With respect and gratitude for the creative world he has left behind. I pray for his soulful rest in peace.

May heaven be the joyous world he envisioned.

Masashi Kishimoto’s statement.

“I honestly don’t know what to write about this sudden event. But for now, I would like to share my thoughts and feelings that I had hoped for one day Mr. Toriyama would ask me about it. I grew up with his manga, Dr. Slump in the lower grades of elementary school and Dragon Ball in the upper grades, and it was natural for me to have his manga as a part of my life. Even when I was having a bad day, the weekly Dragon Ball made me forget about it. As a country boy with nothing, that was a relief to me. I really enjoyed Dragon Ball too much! I was a college student. Suddenly, Dragon Ball, which had been a part of my life for so many years, came to an end. I felt a tremendous sense of loss and didn’t know what to look forward to.”

“But at the same time, it was an opportunity for me to truly understand the greatness of the master who created Dragon Ball. I wanted to create a work like his! I wanted to be just like him! And as I followed in his footsteps to become a manga artist, I began to feel less and less lost. It was because I enjoyed making manga. By following him, I was able to find new enjoyment. Sensei was always my guide. He was my admirer. I may be annoying to him, but I am grateful to him. For me, he was truly the God of salvation and the God of manga.”

Kishimoto then took the opportunity to talk about his first meeting with Toriyama, “When I first met him, I was too nervous to say a single word. But after meeting him many times at the Tezuka Award judging, I became able to talk. I will never forget the slightly embarrassed smile on his face when he and Mr. Oda talked excitedly about how Dragon Ball was fun, as if they were children again and were engaged in a competition.”

“I just received the news of Sensei’s passing. I feel a tremendous sense of loss, more than when Dragon Ball ended… I still don’t know how to deal with this hole in my heart. I can’t even read Dragon Ball, which I love. I don’t even feel like I can write this message to Sensei properly. Everyone in the world was still looking forward to your work. If I could really have one Dragon Ball wish come true…I’m sorry… That may be selfish of me, but I am sad, Sensei. Akira Toriyama-sensei, thank you for 45 years of enjoyable works. And thank you for your hard work. I am sure that his family members are still deeply saddened by this loss. Please take care of yourselves. I pray that Akira Toriyama-sensei may rest in peace.”

Akira Toriyama was a manga artist and famously known for creating Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump. He was one of the most successful manga artists of all time, and played a pivotal role in revolutionizing Shonen manga and manga and anime as a whole. He was known for his iconic art style that remains unique to this day, and has even illustrated other projects such as Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger. His Dragon Ball manga sold a total of 260 million copies, making it the fourth best-selling manga of all time. His characters, such as Goku and Vegeta, became iconic sensations not only in manga and anime, but in pop culture as a whole. Becoming a worldwide phenomenon, and was instantly recognized by many people in other nations and spawned a passionate fandom that still persists to this day. Notably, his success with Dragon Ball contributed to the manga industry’s peak circulation that lasted from the mid 1980s towards the mid 1990s. Finally, his Dragon Ball franchise was ultimately responsible for contributing to the popularity of anime and manga internationally, thanks to the Dragon Ball Z anime adaptation, which received an acclaimed reception worldwide. He won the Shogagaku Manga Award in 1981 with his Dr. Slump manga, and in 2019, he was decorated the Chevailer of the French Orden Des Arts et des Letteres for his contribution to arts. Akira Toriyama will forever be remembered for his contribution to the manga industry.

Sources: Shonen Jump

Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump Creator Akira Toriyama Passes Away At Age 68

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.

Information ; Dear Friends and Partners

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

My Manga + Light Novels, Novels, One-Shot and Book Collection As of 1/14/2024

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present you the largest collection that I own from my otaku hemisphere, and possibly, the largest collection of passion that I have ever owned in my life. The amount of manga + all other book forms that revolve around my passion, has been in a collection constant since 2016. It’s hard to believe that it has been eight years since when I first started collecting manga. Time has gone on, and a lot has changed for me and the industry itself. The sensation and feeling of excitement and happiness, was something that I haven’t felt in ages when I started collecting my first bunch. Who would have ever thought on that day, a simple purchase as a gift from my family two manga books given to me, officially started an empire of reading, collecting, and getting the best out of Japanese comics. As time went on, my section of manga began to evolve. More collecting of specific manga series, box sets, one-shots, light novels and novels entering, reading manhwa and manhua, and establishing another section of entertainment, which are books based on my passions. For me, every time I see my manga collection, I can’t help but smile, knowing that I have come such a LONG way over the past eight years. Of course, I still want to be collecting more and more, and reading all of them. Soon, I will make reviews on manga books, and all sorts of other books. Which ones are my favorite.

My Bakuman Manga Box Set Unboxing After 7 Years of Begging For It

Finally, at long last! After 7 years of trying to get my hands on the Bakuman box set, I can safely say that I finally have it. I am so happy, and I am over the moon! I can safely say that this manga is going to top my list of 1, or should I say *number 0, to be considered the best of the best. Furthermore, I can’t wait to read all of it. Thank you, almighty God, and let’s go!

Florida and Wisconsin School Remove Assassination Classroom Manga, And May Possibly Be Challenged In Other States

Controversy over anime in America has been existent for the medium, dating back to the late 1990s with the popularity boom of the Pokemon franchise. This caused controversy for some who thought the Pokemon franchise could cause negative effects for children, ranging from both psychological and religious reasons. Another manga hit, Death Note, causing some major controversy and incidents, with some writing their classmates and school staff’s names on the book. While controversy calmed down later on during the late 2000s and early 2010s, the medium entered the spotlight of controversy once again in the late 2010s, continuing on into the early 2020s. Assassination Classroom’s latest controversy in the country is very much a continuation of controversy.

A middle school located in east Florida called Gifford Middle School Library has removed three volumes of Assassination Classroom so that students will be unable to read them. Jennifer Pippin, who chairs the Moms for Liberty Indian River County chapter, gave a statement.

“We don’t want students to think it’s OK to kill their teachers.”

Jennifer Pippin

Her response is likely due to the recent school shootings that have occurred in the country. She believes that the manga is inappropriate.

Kristen Huber, the director of the organization’s National Communications, furthered her statement.

“We should all be able to agree that violence toward teachers and explicit sexual content is not something that schools should be glorifying or promoting, especially on taxpayer dollars,”

Kristen Huber

particular reasons for the removal of Assassination Classroom due to the use of firearms in school, and being used to kill a teacher. However, the story and premise of Assassination Classroom is not what the public thinks it is. In fact, here is a synopsis of the manga.

In the blink of an eye, the night sky is forever changed when, with a great explosion, the moon is blasted into a permanent crescent. Confronting the governments of the world, a yellow tentacled monster boasts that it was the one responsible for the catastrophe, and in a year’s time, it will do the same to Earth. Zooming around at Mach 20, the creature makes a peculiar demand: a teaching position at the prestigious Kunugigaoka Junior High School. Desperate to keep the creature in one place, the government agrees, and so the students of Class 3-E find themselves faced with an impossible task—assassinate the creature responsible for destroying the moon.

Although the fate of the world now rests on their shoulders, the class has more personal issues to deal with. Trapped at the bottom of Kunugigaoka’s hierarchical education system, they face harsh discrimination from both teachers and students alike. Defeatism abound, they don’t believe themselves capable of success in daily life, let alone against a monster that surpasses the abilities of any human. But as the enigmatic creature—whom they dub Koro-sensei—educates them in both assassination and academia, the children slowly find the courage to rise up and take aim at their target: the greatest teacher the world has ever seen.

MyAnimeList

In no way does the manga promote violence. In fact, it’s the complete opposite; the manga teaches the importance of life, friendship, dreams, and climbing to the top of the school against all odds. Not to mention that the classmates and the teacher himself are the closest to each other. The teacher, Koro Sensei, supports his students until the very end of the series. Assassination Classroom is much more than just a basic story.

To make matters worse, the Citizens Defending Freedom organization recently announced on Monday that it will challenge the manga, which can still be found in Florida middle schools, for its violent and sexual explicit content. If it goes according to their plan, then Assassination Classroom could possibly be removed from all middle schools in Florida.

Florida recently passed the HB 1467 bill, which went into effect last year. It requires school libraries to only include books pre-approved or vetted by the holder of “a valid educational media specialist certificate” from Florida’s Department of Education.

However, it’s not just Florida where the incident happened. Across five states from Florida, a similar problem is happening in Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, the Elmbrook School District added five books from the series to its e-library beginning with the 2021–22 school year, but it removed them over a month ago after a parent raised concerns that the district might be promoting gun violence against teachers from the manga. Elmbrook’s Director of Library Services, Kay Koepsel-Benning, said that the claim was “inaccurate”. However, another parent raised concerns about the depiction of violence and sexualization of minors in the series.

The manga is being challenged in two other states, North Carolina and Virginia. In North Carolina, the series was described as a work that educates students on how to kill their teachers. In Virginia, a house bill passed, 1379, that requires school principals to keep a catalog of all audiovisual content, keep track of which books contain sexually explicit material, and make the information available to parents. It passed the house of delegates in February and was up for a debate in the senate subcommittees. However, it did not pass through the Senate. Tim Anderson, who sponsored the bill, took issue with the fact that the series is available in some school libraries.

Now, please take note: I am 100% for parents exercising their rights to know what content is being shown to their children. However, I do believe that many are poorly informed about what Assassination Classroom is really about, and because not all still know how anime and manga work with their tropes and cliches, they will assume that the genre and elements in some manga are supposed to be a device of influence when in reality, they’re just for gag and entertainment purposes. My biggest fear is that the banning of Assassination Classroom in some schools or even the entire state could cause a scary domino effect on many other manga simply because people will assume that the genre is inappropriate or unreadable for some. All we can do is hope that things will resolve and get better, but for now, manga in America finds itself in another culture war, a culture war that was never intended to be in the first place.

What do you think about this? Let me know in the comments!

Sources: Anime News Network, Otaku USA