Manga Visionary Akira Toriyama Dies at 68

Today the world of manga and anime observes a solemn moment as we pay tribute to Akira Toriyama, a titan in the field who has passed away at 68. The revered manga artist and writer succumbed to an acute subdural hematoma. A letter from Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo conveyed this heartbreaking news to fans and partners, reflecting the sense of loss felt across the globe.

Akira Toriyama’s Unfinished Work

According to the official statement, Toriyama left behind several unfinished works. These pieces were in various stages of development, brimming with the creativity and passion characteristic of his illustrious career. Although details of these projects are not specified, they are a poignant reminder of Toriyama’s relentless artistic spirit and the potential stories that remain untold.

A Legacy Celebrated

Across his illustrious 45-year career, Akira Toriyama conjured up fantastical worlds that captivated millions around the globe. He is best known for the groundbreaking series “Dragon Ball,” which expanded into the phenomenally successful “Dragon Ball Z,” both of which have become cornerstones of the manga and anime industries. While his passing has stilled his boundless imagination, the legacy of his completed works, particularly the “Dragon Ball” series, stands as a testament to his extraordinary talent. Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo hope that Toriyama’s distinctive storytelling will continue to inspire and entertain future generations.

Respecting the private nature of mourning requested in the letter from his associated studios, Toriyama’s funeral service was confined to family and close friends. His family has kindly asked for condolences to be expressed through personal reflection, in homage to his wish for tranquility.

The manga community unites in a deep sense of gratitude and respect for Akira Toriyama. As we process the sadness of his departure, we also celebrate the joy and boundless creativity he brought to our lives through “Dragon Ball” and his other works.

In memoriam, Akira Toriyama’s unparalleled creative vision endures, and his unique world of creation—especially the adventures within “Dragon Ball Z”—will remain a treasured legacy for ages to come.

Author: Jeremy

Jeremy was first introduced to anime with heavily edited versions of Mazinger Z (aka Tranzor Z in the US), GoLion (aka Voltron) and Macross (aka Robotech) while growing up in the 1980's. Since then his tastes have evolved into a fairly eclectic mix of anime with a soft-spot for underdog shonen stories, psychological/cyber-punk stories and select love comedies. Jeremy was also the head organizer of Anime Souffle anime club in Los Angeles. It was at an Anime Souffle meeting where he met Michael Huang and eventually was invited to join as a guest co-host for Scattered Cells Podcast episode #6 in February of 2007. Afterwards he became an official part of the Anime Diet crew.

2 thoughts on “Manga Visionary Akira Toriyama Dies at 68

  1. Hi. My name is Yu Zhong Lu and I was a friend of Michael Huang from over 20 years ago. I fucked up the relationship and I want to see if there is a way I can contact him to apologize to him. It’s something I regret. My email is yuzhonglu2@gmail.com. If you’re still in contact with him, let him know about this comment. Thank you.

  2. Very sad of Akira Toriyama’s death…. He was a legend for creating iconic foundational series as Dragonball Z

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