This is news that is shaking up the manga world, and pop culture in general: Japanese mangaka Akira Toriyama, creator of “Dragon Ball” and “Dr Slump”, died of a subdural hematoma on March 1. He was 68 years old.
The information was made official this Friday. But the death dates back a week: Akira Toriyama died on March 1, following a subdural hematoma. Considered one of the greatest manga creators and authors of all time, he offered readers major works like Dragon Ball and its derivatives (the second most read manga in the world with more than 260 million copies sold) or the zany and cult Dr Slump.
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In an official press release published today, Bird Studio, the workshop he founded in 1983, thanks fans and partners for their passion for the work left by the mangaka.
“He still had several works being created with great enthusiasm. And he would have had many more things to accomplish. However, he left many manga titles and works of art to this world. Thanks to support of many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for more than 45 years. We hope that the unique world of Akira Toriyama’s creation will continue to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.”.
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Beyond the numerous reactions from fans around the world, two touching testimonies emerge. The first from Masashi Kishimoto, author of Naruto. “I just received the news that my teacher passed away. I feel an even greater sense of loss than at the end of Dragon Ball… I still don’t know how to deal with this hole in my heart. Now I don’t can’t even read my favorite Dragon Ball anymore. (…) Thank you, Akira Toriyama-sensei, for all your enjoyable works over the past 45 years. And thank you very much for your hard work”.
Creator of One PieceEiichirō Oda also shared his great sadness at this disappearance. “It’s too early. The void is too big. Sadness overcomes me when I think that I will never see him again. (…) He created an era where adults and children could enjoy reading manga . He showed us the dream that manga could spread throughout the world. It was like watching a hero move forward. (…) With respect and gratitude for the creative world he left behind. I pray for his rest in peace. May heaven be the joyful world he imagined”.
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Proof of the importance of his work and his artistic contribution beyond Japanese borders, Akira Toriyama received the special prize at the 40th Angoulême Festival in 2013, as well as the insignia of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters at the French Embassy in Japan in 2019.