The official Dragon Ball Twitter account announced the unfortunate passing of Akira Toriyama, the creator of the iconic manga and anime franchise that inspired characters around the world.
Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama passes away
The statement shared by official media of the Dragon Ball franchise reads as follows:
Dear friends and partners.
We are deeply saddened to inform you that manga creator Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1 due to a subdural hematoma. He was 68 years old.
We deeply regret that he still had several works in the midst of creation with great enthusiasm. Besides, he would have many more things to accomplish. However, he has left many titles and works of art to this world.
Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for more than 45 years. We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation will continue to be loved by all for a long time to come.
We inform him of this sad news, thanking him for his kindness during his lifetime.
The funeral was held with his family and very few relatives, Following your wishes for peace of mind, we respectfully inform you that we will not accept flowers, condolence gifts, visitors, offerings and others. We also request that you refrain from conducting interviews with his family.
The actual plan for the memorial service is not decided, we will inform you when it is confirmed. We thank you deeply for your understanding and support as always.
March 8, 2024.
Bird Studio
Capsule Corporation Tokyo
Throughout his illustrious career, Akira Toriyama has not only contributed significantly to manga and otaku culture, but has also inspired generations of Dragon Ball fans. From children opening their first Toriyama manga with bright eyes of wonder to adults finding solace and joy in his work, his legacy transcends borders and ages.
The fact that Akira Toriyama continued to create with great enthusiasm until his final days is testament to his unwavering dedication and love for Dragon Ball. While we are saddened to know that he had many more stories to tell, we are comforted by the great legacy he leaves behind. His works live on, continuing his legacy and serving as a reminder of his creative genius.
In this time of mourning, it is important to remember and honor the way Akira Toriyama touched our lives. Although he has left us, his spirit and his creations, such as Dragon Ball, will live on, continuing to inspire future generations.