Mangaka Akira Toriyama, famous for his iconic creations such as Dragon Ball and Dr Slump , has passed away at the age of 68 following a subdural hematoma, as announced by his publishing house and studio. Bird Studio, the entity founded by the mangaka, confirmed his death in a statement published on X, while publisher Shueisha expressed its deep sadness and paid tribute to his remarkable achievements.
Born in Nagoya in 1955, Akira Toriyama left an indelible mark in the world of manga with his flagship work, Dragon Ball , which narrates the adventures of Son Goku, the martial arts prodigy, from his childhood. Inspired by the Chinese novel Journey to the West, this manga has sold more than 260 million copies worldwide, generating television, film and video game adaptations, including Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super .
In an interview with Asahi daily in 2013, Akira Toriyama expressed his gratitude towards Dragon Ball , describing it as a "miracle" that allowed him to find his place in society despite his atypical personality. Although the global success of Dragon Ball remains an enigma for him, he has always sought to entertain readers without trying to convey any particular message through his mangas.
Besides Dragon Ball , Akira Toriyama is also known for Dr. Slump, a series featuring a little android girl named Arale, and has contributed to several video games such as the Dragon Quest series and Chrono Trigger.
His passing was keenly felt in the manga world, with tributes from his peers such as Eiichiro Oda , the creator of One Piece , who expressed sadness at the loss of an industry giant.