AKIRA TORIYAMA, the mangaka famous for creating beloved series like Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, passed away on March 1 at the age of 68, as announced by his publishing house and studio on Friday, March 8. “Shueisha and our editorial department deeply mourn his sudden passing,” expressed the publisher in a statement, “We honor his remarkable contributions, express our gratitude, and extend heartfelt condolences.”
Born in Nagoya in 1955, Akira Toriyama gained prominence for his creation of Dragon Ball in 1984, chronicling the adventures of martial arts prodigy Son Goku from childhood. Inspired by the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, the manga has sold over 260 million copies worldwide, with various adaptations for television, cinema, and video games, including sequels like Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super.
