Akira Toriyama, known for his franchise ‘Dragon Ball’ and other works, such as Dr. Slump, has passed away at the age of 68.
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Toriyama’s death was confirmed on the official Dragon Ball X(formerly Twitter account), and he reportedly died from an acute subdural hematoma on March 1. “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,” the statement reads.
Toriyama embarked on his career by creating “Dr. Slump” in 1980. After its success, he created “Dragon Ball” in 1984. This new venture marked a significant shift from the comedic tones of “Dr. Slump” to an action-packed, adventure-laden saga that chronicled the growth and battles of its protagonist, Goku. “Dragon Ball” set the foundation for what would become one of the most beloved and influential manga and anime series globally.
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The statement continued, “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.”
Fans reacted to the news as the Dragonball franchise has made a significant impact for almost 40 years.