The creator of Japan's renowned "Dragon Ball" comics and anime series, Akira Toriyama, has passed away at the age of 68, as announced by his production team on Friday. First serialized in 1984, "Dragon Ball" is one of the best-selling manga franchises globally, spawning numerous anime series, films, and video games.
Toriyama's death on March 1 was attributed to a blood clot on the brain, according to a statement posted on the official "Dragon Ball" account on X (formerly Twitter). The statement, attributed to Toriyama's Bird Studio, expressed deep regret that the artist had several works in progress at the time of his passing, praising his great enthusiasm and noting that he had many more achievements ahead of him.
Despite his passing, Toriyama has left behind a significant legacy, with numerous manga titles and works of art that continue to be beloved by fans worldwide. The statement expressed hope that Toriyama's unique creative world would be cherished for years to come.
"Dragon Ball" follows the story of Son Goku, a young boy who collects magical balls containing dragons to aid him and his allies in protecting the Earth from evil adversaries.
Toriyama was already well-known for his comedy manga "Dr. Slump" in the early 1980s when he created "Dragon Ball," inspired by Chinese-style kung fu movies. The 1990s saw the creation of the beloved cartoon "Dragon Ball Z," and Toriyama also contributed to the design of the highly successful "Dragon Quest" video games.
While "Dragon Ball" has enjoyed immense success, not all spin-offs have been as well-received, with the live-action 2009 movie "Dragonball Evolution" performing poorly at the box office and receiving negative reviews.
Publishing house Shueisha, whose weekly "Shonen Jump" magazine serialized the "Dragon Ball" comics, expressed deep sadness at the news of Toriyama's passing.
Born in Japan's Aichi region in 1955, Toriyama studied design at an industrial high school before starting his career as a professional manga artist in his early 20s. In a 2013 interview with Japan's Asahi newspaper, Toriyama described himself as a "difficult" person.
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