‘Dragon Ball’ Series Creator Akira Toriyama Dies At 68 Due To Acute Subdural Hematoma

Renowned manga artist Akira Toriyama, famed for creating the globally beloved “Dragon Ball” series and contributing as a character designer for the “Dragon Quest” video games, passed away on March 1 due to complications from an acute subdural hematoma, as announced by his studio on Friday, March 8. At the age of 68, Toriyama’s departure leaves behind a legacy of numerous manga titles and artistic works.

The official announcement expressed gratitude for the widespread support that allowed Toriyama to engage in creative endeavours for over 45 years. It conveyed the hope that Toriyama’s distinctive creative universe would continue to be cherished by fans worldwide.

Akira Toriyama gained prominence for his creation of “Dragon Ball,” a serialized manga that ran from 1984 to 1995. The bestselling series narrates the journey of Goku, a young martial artist who evolves through training and travel to become increasingly powerful. Unveiled as an alien invader-turned-refugee, Goku repeatedly saves the Earth in the storyline.

The impact of Toriyama’s work extended beyond manga, with “Dragon Ball” inspiring two anime series: “Dragon Ball” and “Dragon Ball Z,” originally airing in Japan from 1986 to 1996. The dubbed versions, including English, contributed significantly to the global popularity of anime. The “Dragon Ball” franchise continued to thrive, encompassing two sequel anime series, 21 films, and a multitude of video games over the years.

Born in Japan in 1955, Akira Toriyama began his artistic journey at a young age, displaying a penchant for sketching. His initial creations, “Wonder Island” and its sequel, garnered attention, but it was in the early 1980s with “Dr. Slump” that he achieved widespread popularity. “Dr. Slump” narrated the tale of a girl robot named Arale and her inventor.