The Japanese Manga Legend, Akira Toriyama, Dies at 68

Renowned manga creator Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1 at the age of 68, due to acute subdural hematoma. The family held a private funeral and is currently declining gifts, visits, interviews, and offerings. Bird Studio, Toriyama's design and production studio, plans to organize a commemorative gathering in the future.

Toriyama's illustrious career began with his serialized manga "Dr. Slump" in 1980, followed by the iconic "Dragon Ball" series from 1984 to 1995, which continues to influence manga and anime today. His designs extended beyond manga, as he contributed to character design for popular video games like "Dragon Quest," "Chrono Trigger," and "Blue Dragon."

In his final projects, Toriyama was heavily involved in the production of "Dragon Ball Daima," the latest anime series based on "Dragon Ball," contributing to its story and character designs. Additionally, his manga "Sand Land" recently inspired an anime film adaptation and an upcoming anime series set to debut worldwide, along with a game launching in April 2024. Toriyama's legacy as a pioneering creator in both manga and gaming continues to leave a lasting impact on fans worldwide.