Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, passes away at the age of 68

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 Akira Toriyama, the creator of 'Dragon Ball,' passes away at the age of 68


“The role of my manga,” he said, “is to be a work of entertainment through and through.”

The renowned Akira Toriyama, who brought us the incredibly successful "Dragon Ball" manga and anime series from Japan, has sadly passed away at the age of 68, according to an announcement from his production team on Friday.

"Dragon Ball", which first appeared in serialized form in 1984, has been one of the highest-grossing manga franchises ever, giving birth to numerous anime shows, movies, and video games.

The official "Dragon Ball" account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, revealed that Toriyama's death on March 1st was due to a brain blood clot.

In the early 1980s, Toriyama gained recognition for his comedic manga "Dr. Slump" before venturing into the creation of "Dragon Ball," influenced by Chinese-style kung fu films. The 1990s saw the emergence of the popular animated series "Dragon Ball Z," and Toriyama played a role in designing the highly successful "Dragon Quest" games. Despite these successes, not all spin-offs fared well. The 2009 live-action film "Dragonball Evolution" was a box office failure, receiving harsh criticism in reviews.


On Friday, his manga and design production company, Bird Studio, and Capsule Corporation Tokyo, confirmed his passing in a statement. The statement revealed that his cause of death was acute subdural hematoma, a condition where blood accumulates between the brain and skull. However, the statement did not disclose the location of Mr. Toriyama's death.
Mr. Toriyama's extensive body of work, which includes "Dr. Slump" and "Sand Land," has garnered recognition beyond Japan's borders, influencing generations of manga artists and cartoonists. Despite his passing, the studio mentioned that he had several ongoing projects at the time of his death.
His most renowned creation, "Dragon Ball," follows the adventures of a young boy named Son Goku as he embarks on a quest to collect the seven magical orbs that summon a wish-granting dragon. Since its inception in the 1980s, "Dragon Ball" has spanned 42 volumes, sold millions of copies worldwide, and become one of the most renowned manga series. Its popularity has inspired adaptations in television, film, and video games.

After a few years, he left his job and pursued manga drawing at the age of 23. His debut manga, an action-packed adventure comic titled "Wonder Island," was released in 1978.
 
His popularity soared with the serialization of "Dr. Slump" from 1980 to 1984, a science-fiction manga featuring an android girl known for her childlike personality and extraordinary strength. The manga was later adapted into an anime series for television.
 
According to Matthieu Pinon and Laurent Lefebvre in "A History of Modern Manga" (2023), Mr. Toriyama's unconventional ideas and knack for caricature ignited a genuine sense of joyful excitement in Japan.
 
In 1982, Mr. Toriyama tied the knot with a former manga artist who went by the pen name Nachi Mikami, as reported by Mainichi Shimbun. While complete details about survivors are not immediately available, local news media reports indicate that he is survived by his wife and children.
 
Upon its initial release in 1984, "Dragon Ball" swiftly became a sensation, establishing itself as one of the highest-selling manga series of all time. It achieved global success, selling over 260 million copies worldwide, as confirmed by Toei Animation, the studio responsible for the anime adaptation.



Clockwise from top left: Copies of the “Dragon Ball” manga; a giant poster of its main character, Son Goku; a video game adaptation of the series; a balloon depicting Son Goku at the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Credit...Richard A. Brooks/AFP — Getty Images; Christophe Pettit Tesson/European Pressphoto Agency; Frederic J. Brown/AFP — Getty Images; Carlo Allegri/Reuters






Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama, is a well-known manga and anime series from Japan. Here are some key points about Dragon Ball:
1. Origin: Dragon Ball was initially published in 1984 in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine before being adapted into an anime series. It has since become a highly successful and influential franchise globally.

2. Storyline: The plot revolves around Goku, a skilled martial artist with extraordinary abilities, as he embarks on a quest to find the seven Dragon Balls. Along the way, Goku and his friends encounter various adversaries and participate in intense martial arts tournaments.

3. Transformations: A distinctive aspect of Dragon Ball is the characters' capability to transform into more powerful forms. For instance, Goku can assume the form of a Super Saiyan, granting him immense strength and a golden aura.

4. Dragon Balls: The Dragon Balls are mystical artifacts that, when gathered, summon the Eternal Dragon Shenron, who can grant any wish. Each of the seven Dragon Balls is adorned with stars.

5. Characters: Dragon Ball showcases a diverse array of memorable characters, including Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Bulma, Krillin, and many others. Each character possesses unique abilities and personalities, contributing to the series' rich and varied cast.

6. Influence: Dragon Ball has made a significant impact on popular culture worldwide, inspiring numerous spin-offs, video games, merchandise, and even live-action adaptations.

7. Power Levels: Within the Dragon Ball universe, characters possess power levels that determine their strength. These levels are often depicted numerically, and characters continuously strive to increase their power through training and battles.

8. Martial Arts: Martial arts play a central role in Dragon Ball, with characters engaging in dynamic and intense combat sequences. The series showcases a wide range of fighting styles and techniques.

9. Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Ball Z serves as the sequel to the original Dragon Ball series and is renowned for its epic battles, higher stakes, and intense action. It has gained particular popularity among fans of the franchise.

10. Legacy: Dragon Ball has left a lasting legacy in the world of anime and manga, inspiring a new generation of creators. Its captivating storytelling, memorable characters, and thrilling action sequences continue to captivate audiences.
These highlights provide a glimpse into the world of Dragon Ball, but the series offers even more depth and complexity for fans to explore.




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