The world of anime and manga has legendary names, but few have left as big a mark as Akira Toriyama. His departure on March 1, 2024 left a void in millions of fans, but also a legacy that will never die. That is precisely why March 8 has become Toriyama Day, a date on which fans around the world celebrate the life and work of the creator of Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump and many other unforgettable stories.
Dragon Ball celebrates Toriyama Day
What is Toriyama Day? This day was born as a spontaneous movement among fans to remember Toriyama and all that his work meant to several generations. What started as posts on social networks quickly became a global trend, with illustrators, cosplayers, content creators and anime lovers sharing their admiration for the Japanese mangaka.
In different parts of the world, screenings of his anime, exhibitions with unreleased illustrations, and even events where fans dress up as their favorite characters have been organized. In addition, many artists have paid tribute with unpublished illustrations, reaffirming the impact Toriyama had on the industry.
Streaming platforms have also taken advantage of the date to highlight its legacy. Services such as Crunchyroll and Netflix have promoted Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super marathons, allowing new and old fans to relive the epic battles of Goku and his friends.
On the other hand, some stores and publishers have launched special promotions on manga and collectible figures, encouraging fans to continue their connection with Toriyama’s universe through his vast catalog of works.
There is no doubt that Akira Toriyama revolutionized the manga and anime industry. His most recognized work, Dragon Ball, not only became a global phenomenon, but also influenced the way action and adventure stories are developed in shonen. His drawing style, characterized by dynamic and expressive designs, marked a whole generation of artists.
But its impact is not limited to Dragon Ball, since its debut in 1984, Dragon Ball went from being a manga inspired by the Chinese legend of “Journey to the West” to become a cultural phenomenon with multiple adaptations, movies and sequels such as Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super and more. Characters like Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo and Freezer have become pop culture icons.
Works such as Dr. Slump demonstrated his versatility in humor and creativity, while his designs for video games, such as Dragon Quest, left a mark on the RPG industry. Thanks to Toriyama, many of these franchises achieved the worldwide recognition they have today.
It is possible that in the future Toriyama Day will become an official date within the anime and manga community, but even if it doesn’t, his legacy is already assured. Akira Toriyama has left us, but his imagination lives on in every manga page, in every anime episode, and in every kid who puts a red headband on his head and pretends to throw a Kamehameha.
Toriyama Day is not only a tribute to one of the anime and manga industry’s most important creators, but also a showcase of fans’ passion for his legacy. Although Akira is no longer physically with us, his work continues to inspire millions of people and will continue to do so in the future. Today, March 8, is a day to celebrate what Toriyama gave us. Because as long as there are fans willing to remember him, his story will never have an “End”.