“Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama’s Tragic Passing at 68 Mourned by Naruto and One Piece Artists”
Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, passed away on March 1 due to acute hemorrhage. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, and Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, express their grief over Toriyama’s loss, acknowledging him as a significant inspiration since their childhood.
“Akira Toriyama, the renowned artist and creator of Dragon Ball manga and anime, passed away at 68 on March 1 due to an acute subdural hematoma. Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) and Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto) released heartfelt statements mourning the loss of their inspiration.”
Bird Studio, the manga company founded by Akira Toriyama in 1983, officially confirmed the news of his death.
In a statement, the studio expressed deep regret, noting that Toriyama had several works in progress with great enthusiasm. They added, “He would have had many more accomplishments ahead.”
Bird Studio confirmed the regrettable passing of Akira Toriyama, founder of the studio, with ongoing projects that showcased his unwavering enthusiasm. Despite his unique world of creation, Toriyama left behind numerous manga titles and artworks. The studio expressed gratitude for the global support that sustained Toriyama’s creative endeavors for over 45 years, marking a significant legacy in the world of manga and art.
Naruto, One Piece creators react
Eiichiro Oda, the mind behind One Piece, and Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, released poignant statements mourning the passing of Akira Toriyama.
One Piece creator, Eiichiro Oda, credited Toriyama with revolutionizing the manga industry, stating, “Toriyama proved to a disbelieving audience that ‘manga can be fun for both children and adults.’ He showed that manga could travel the world.”
Masashi Kishimoto, the author of Naruto, shared that he read Toriyama’s stories weekly from grade school to college, finding inspiration in the characters. “I wanted to make manga like yours! I wanted to be like you!” Kishimoto expressed, illustrating the profound impact Toriyama had on his journey to becoming a manga artist.
Who was Dragon Ball Z creator Akira Toriyama?
Born in Nagoya, Japan, in 1955, Toriyama, a passionate artist from childhood, opted against higher education. Post high school, he embarked on a career in an advertising agency, contributing his artistic talents to poster design.
In 1978, Toriyama’s debut work, titled Wonder Island, graced the pages of Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. Despite its follow-up, Wonder Island 2, incorporating references to the screen culture of the era, including Dirty Harry and the sci-fi franchise Ultraman, both works faced unpopularity among readers.
Undeterred by previous challenges, Toriyama persisted in his artistic pursuits. In 1980, he achieved a breakthrough with the creation of Dr. Slump, a comedic series centered around a robot girl and her adventures navigating the world. The series marked a significant success for Toriyama, showcasing his ability to captivate audiences with humor and imaginative storytelling.
Continuing its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump until 1984, Dr. Slump earned Toriyama one of Japan’s prestigious manga awards from Shogakukan.
In 1982, Toriyama married fellow manga artist Yoshimi Katō, and the couple welcomed two children. Toriyama, known for maintaining privacy in his personal life, often utilized a cyborg avatar named Robotoriyama as his representation in various contexts.
Robotoriyama creates Dragon Ball
The pivotal year of 1984 saw the birth of Dragon Ball, a creation by Akira Toriyama that catapulted him to international acclaim and established him as one of Japan’s top-selling manga authors. Dragon Ball’s immense success not only resonated within Japan but also garnered widespread recognition worldwide, solidifying Toriyama’s legacy in the realm of manga and pop culture.
Originating from Dragon Boy, Dragon Ball spanned 519 chapters in Weekly Shōnen Jump (1984-1995). Its triumph birthed an English comic series, five TV adaptations (Dragon Ball Z being the most recognized in the West), 20+ films, and diverse video games, solidifying its global cultural influence.
The series, infusing kung fu elements into the shōnen manga genre, drew inspiration from Chinese and Hong Kong action films, along with Japanese folklore. Introducing the iconic character Son Goku, a young martial arts trainee on a quest for seven magical orbs capable of summoning a mystical dragon, Dragon Ball brought to life a captivating narrative that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Alongside Goku, a diverse cast of allies and enemies enriched the storyline, contributing to the series’ enduring popularity.
After a brief hiatus, Akira Toriyama made a triumphant return to the Dragon Ball franchise. During this comeback, he contributed to several film adaptations, including notable titles such as Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and the 2022 release Dragon Ball Super:
Super Hero. Toriyama’s involvement continued to shape and expand the Dragon Ball universe, delighting fans with new cinematic experiences and further cementing his legacy as a master storyteller.
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