Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama dies, aged 68

Dan Seddon

8 March 2024 at 4:59 am·2-min read

akira toriyama pictured smiling in 1982 — Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama dies, aged 68STR - Getty Images

The Dragon Ball creator and influential manga artist Akira Toriyama has passed away.

His death was announced on the anime franchise's website today (March 8), with a statement reading: "Dear friends and partners, we are deeply saddened to inform you that manga creator Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1st due to acute subdural haematoma. He was 68."

(According to the NHS, this is where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain - usually caused by some kind of head injury.)

"It's our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation. He would have many more things to achieve. However, he has left many manga titles and works of art to this world," Bird Studio's announcement continued.

"Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years. We hope that Akira Toriyama's unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.

"We inform you this sad news, with gratefulness for your kindness during his lifetime."

Information ; Dear Friends and Partnershttps://t.co/85dXseckzJ pic.twitter.com/aHlx8CGA2M
— DRAGON BALL OFFICIAL (@DB_official_en) March 8, 2024

The Japanese artist found success in 1980 with his breakout series Dr Slump, a comedy about a robot girl, before Dragon Ball changed manga forever four years later.

Anime TV series Dragon Ball Z was based on Toriyama's series and was dubbed for more than 80 countries, running for 9 seasons between 1989 and 1996, and has been followed by sequel series.

Toriyama's other credits include character design work on the video games Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger and Blue Dragon.

Reacting to the tragic news on social media, fans wrote: "A legend. Thank you Akira Toriyama for entertaining and inspiring so many of us. Rest in peace" and "Legends never die, RIP Akira, you created one of the best shows ever and touched so many of our hearts growing up. Thank you for everything."

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