It is a truly sorrow-filled day for so many of us. Akira Toriyama, creator of the Dragon Ball series and manga legend/pioneer, has sadly passed away.
Last night, the official Dragon Ball Twitter account shared the news. Toriyama was 68 years old.
The official statement from the Dragon Ball Twitter account explains that Toriyama passed away on March 1 due to an acute subdural hematoma.
According to the statement, a funeral service with family and very few relatives was already held for the manga legend. It has been asked that fans refrain from sending gifts and offerings for the time being as to adhere to Toriyama’s wishes for tranquility.
Information ; Dear Friends and Partners pic.twitter.com/aHlx8CGA2M
— DRAGON BALL OFFICIAL (@DB_official_en) March 8, 2024
You can read the full statement below.
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 hematoma. He was in age of 68.
It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm. Also, he would have many more things to achieve.
However, he has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. 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.
Funeral service was held with his family and very few relatives. Following his wishes for tranquility, we respectfully inform you that we would not accept flowers, condolences gifts, visiting, offerings and others. Also, we ask you to refrain from conducting interviews with his family.
Future plan for commemorate gathering is not decided, we will let you know when it’s confirmed. We deeply thank you for your understanding and support as always.
March 8th, 2024
BIRD STUDIO
CAPSULE CORPORATION TOKYO
Toriyama’s influence on not only anime and manga, but video games and other creative works, has had incredible reach over the last 45 years. So many of us remember growing up watching Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z or seeing Toriyama’s incredible character and world designs in popular games such as Chrono Trigger on the Super Nintendo.
It’s hard to find a creator as impactful as Toriyama, not just in his field, but in life in general. Even now, my Twitter timeline is literally filled with posts, back-to-back, of people sharing their fondest memories of his works and thanking him for everything he did for us.
Fellow legendary mangaka Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, also released a statement in response to the tragic news of Toriyama’s passing.
“I would like to express my respect and gratitude to the world of creativity left behind by Professor Toriyama, and pray for his repose in peace. I hope that heaven will be a pleasant world just as you envisioned it,” wrote Oda about the passing of his friend and colleague.
Odas response to Toriyamas death pic.twitter.com/ushdAbVFav
— Leo | Sengoatku No. 1 (@Leleo2211) March 8, 2024
Let us all thank and appreciate Mr. Akira Toriyama for the decades of entertainment, fun, hype, and inspiration he has provided so many of us with his works. Rest in peace, Toriyama-sensei, and thank you for everything.