Akira Toriyama, the famed mangaka behind Dragon Ball, Sand Land, and Mr. Slump, passed away on March 1 at the age of 68. Toriyama’s works shaped the modern manga, anime, and gaming (thanks to his work on titles such as Dragon Quest) industry and his death left many friends, colleagues, and fans all over the world heartbroken. The people he collaborated with over the works and whose works he influenced in many ways have shared goodbye messages, highlighting his contributions and stellar career.
Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto wrote messages published in Weekly Shonen Jump. Both authors talk about Toriyama with awe and highlight the importance of his presence for new authors. Oda writes “He is one of the people who took the baton from an era when reading manga would make you stupid, and created an era where both adults and children could read and enjoy manga. He showed us the dream where manga can do things like this and [showed us] that we can go into the world. He gave the dream to me. It was like watching a hero push forward. Not only for manga artists but for creators active in all industries, the excitement and excitement of his Dragon Ball serialization was probably rooted in their childhood.”
Kishimoto refers to Toriyama as his teacher and mentions how his manga meant so much to him when he was “just a country boy who had nothing.” He mentions how he couldn’t say a word to Toriyama the first time he met him because he was so nervous: “However, after meeting him many times at the Tezuka Prize screening committee, we became able to talk.
As Dragon Ball children, Mr. Oda and I went back to being children again, and when we talked excitedly about how Dragon Ball was fun as if we were competing with each other, I forgot how he [Toriyama] looked a little shy and smiled.”
Toyotarou, the artist behind the Dragon Ball Super series, tweeted saying: ” I drew manga because I wanted to be praised by Toriyama-sensei. it was everything to me.” Toyotarou is an artist who started off doing Dragon Ball-related art and eventually got to work on the official franchise. Toriyama said that his art was closest to his own.
Masakazu Katsura (Video Girl Ai, Zetman) wrote a long message to Toriyama, talking about how Toriyama reached out to him when he had surgery. “We’ve known each other for 40 years, but this may have been the first time I’ve been treated so kindly by Mr. Toriyama. I thought it was going to snow. Usually, we only joke or talk nonsense. Well, this wasn’t the time to worry about other people, at all. When I called him a little while ago, I was feeling unwell and said, ‘Maybe I’ll pass away first, so please have a farewell party or something for me, with you in charge, Mr. Toriyama! Also, give a speech, so I can seem important.’ But he didn’t keep his promise.”
Yusuke Murata (One-Punch Man) also paid respects to the Dragon Ball creator: “There were many things that I could only receive from Mr. Toriyama. I humbly pray for your soul to rest in peace.” AoAshi mangaka, Yugo Kobayashi, drew an illustration with a message: “Going to school was fun because Dragon Ball was there. You are my hero, my Goku. Toriyama-sensei, truly, I thank you for everything.”
Masako Nozawa, the iconic voice behind Goku, also issued a statement:
“My mind is so empty right now, with the feelings that I hate to believe and think of. Even in this state of mind, I can keep my emotions under control by thinking that I will stay by Goku until the very end of my life because I will remember what Toriyama-sensei has told me every time we met: ‘Please take good care of Goku.’ Sensei, please watch over us from the sky. May he rest in peace.” Ryo Horikawa, the voice of Vegeta, also commented saying it was too sudden and that there was much more to tell.
Naoki Urasawa (Monster) wrote about the first impression of Toriyama’s work: “When I read Shonen Jump with the new serialization – Dr. Slump, I thought, ‘Wow, this person will take manga to a different level.’ Akira Toriyama has since achieved an extraordinary feat. I wanted to meet you once and listen to your story. It is very disappointing. I sincerely pray for your soul to rest in peace.” Takehiko Inoue (SLAM DUNK) also drew an illustration to express his gratitude:
Hironobu Kageyama, who performed multiple songs for the franchise, including the opening theme song for the Dragon Ball Z anime, wrote on Instagram that being told that he was singing “CHA-LA HEAD CHA-LA” was the biggest honor in his life. “The sense of loss at losing such a great sun is too great, but… The power of Toriyama’s works will continue to be a strong light, illuminating people all over the world. May he rest in peace.“
Yudetamago’s Takashi Shimada shared a bit about his history with Toriyama: “I heard the news of Akira Toriyama’s death during the day. Although he was five years older than me, Yudetamago was one year older than his career. When I saw Dr. Slump for the first time, as I am a fellow gag manga artist, I felt threatened by the American comic-style illustrations and sophisticated gags. Since the first year of the anime series, there has been a lot of jealousy. We really didn’t get along very well, and when Kinnikuman was made into an anime in the fourth year of serialization, we became even more competitive with him, and we stopped talking to each other. However, in the early days, we were good friends, and at banquets where manga artists gathered, we would play games and exchange colored papers. But Toriyama-san, 68 years old, was too young. I’m so sad. My deepest condolences.”
Rei Hiroe (Black Lagoon) wrote that there are not many people around the world whose deaths would be mourned this much. Kyosuke Usuta added “With Dr. Slump, he [Toriyama] left behind a masterpiece as a gag manga, and then went on to create the greatest masterpiece in the history of manga as a manga artist…I don’t think such a genius will appear for another 100 years. I had a lot of fun with Toriyama-sensei’s work, and he had a lot of influence on me. Kazumata Oguri wrote that he started buying Jump because of Dragon Ball: “When I met him [Toriyama] at New Year’s parties, he spoke kindly to me and told me, “My daughter is a fan of Tenten-kun, so please sign my book next time,” which made me feel in heaven. He always felt as [difficult to reach] as the sun.”
Hiro Mashima, author of Fairy Tail and Edens Zero, tweeted that without Toriyama-sensei he would not have become a manga artist. Tatsuya Endo (Spy x Family) posted a similar note: “If it weren’t for Toriyama-sensei, I probably wouldn’t have aimed to become a manga artist. Even now, when I think of “the reader’s position,” I always think of myself as a child, excitedly looking forward to Dragon Ball every week.”
Ryuhei Tamura, author of Beelzebub and Cosmos, wrote that he was stunned to learn about Toriyama’s death. “He was like a North Star for me and many people involved in manga [industry].” Masanori Morita wrote about Toriyama’s words being the biggest encouragement. Riichiro Inagaki (Dr. STONE) said he was shocked and praying for Toriyama.
Joining the anime and manga veterans, are French President Emmanuel Macron, and Jackie Chen. An animator, known as I’m a Corn Kob on Twitter/X made a short animation video as a way to say goodbye to Toriyama:
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Ball series, which Akira Toriyama started in 1984. His works spawned multiple adaptations, from TV anime to movies and stage plays; the games he worked on went on to become classics in the gaming community. His art brought people from all over the globe together and he will truly be remembered as one of the people who made history with his work.
Featured image: ©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA/Dragon Ball Super Production Committee