Who Was Akira Toriyama? The Legendary Manga Creator Who Wanted To 'Please Japanese Boys' With Dragon Ball

Akira Toriyama, the critically acclaimed, influential creator of the Dragon Ball manga and anime franchise, has died at age 68. Akira’s death has come as a shocker for his die-hard fans who have loved his classic creations, however, it is heartbreaking that Akira has left behind an unparalleled body of work that now stands the test of time. Announced on Friday, Dragon Ball’s official website said that Toriyama died on March 1st due to a blood clot in the brain. In an X post from Dragon Ball’s official handle, the news of his demise was confirmed. The post goes on to say that a small funeral service has been held with Toriyama’s immediate family and that fans should avoid sending flowers or other gifts.

The beloved manga creator leaves behind an unassailable legacy and will certainly be missed by his loved ones and fans across the globe.

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Akira Toriyama Early Life And Career

As we mourn the tragic demise of Akira, let’s read more about his early and how he ventured into the Manga and the comic book world. Akira Toriyama was born in Japan in 1955 and broke into the comic world in the early 1980s with Dr. Slump- which is about a little girl Robot Arale and her scientist creator. Having ventured into the realm of storytelling in Nagoya, Aichi in Japan in the early 1980s, it was in 1984 that he introduced the world to the captivating universe of Dragon Ball, with little idea of the impact his creations would have on youngsters and generations to come. The story of Goku and his friends embarking on epic adventures to collect the mystical Dragon Balls captured the hearts and imaginations of fans across the globe.

Very quickly, the Dragon Ball franchise expanded beyond its manga origins and evolved into an immensely popular anime series that transcended cultural and emotional boundaries. Dragon Ball inspired fan fiction writers and cosplayers who style their hair like the characters’ sharp and pointed locks. And, to many fans, Goku’s journey from a kid who fumbles in his martial arts training to a high-flying hero who can shoot bolts of electricity from his hands acted as a mirror to their own struggles they might have had as they grew up.

Akira’s Dragon Ball series become synonymous with exhilarating action, strong characters and one very important quotient- friendship. In a 2013 interview with the Japanese newspaper Asahi, Mr Toriyama said he had “no idea” how Dragon Ball became so popular around the world. He described the series as a miracle, “given how it helped someone like me who has twisted, difficult personalities do a decent job and get accepted by society”.

“When I was drawing the series, all I ever wanted to achieve was to please boys in Japan,” he said, according to news agency AFP.

It appears that Toriyama had a wide variety of projects in the work at the time of his passing. It includes his duties working on the Dragon Ball Super manga as well as his involvement with the upcoming Dragon Ball: DAIMA anime.

Dragon Ball remains one of the greatest manga of all time. He may no longer be with us, but his spirit will live on through the timeless tales he shared with the world.