The creators of One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Quest, and more have shared tributes to Dragon Ball's Akira Toriyama, who died aged 68 on March 1, 2024.
Yuji Horii, the creator of beloved role-playing game franchise Dragon Quest, for which Toriyama was the character designer, shared a tribute on X/Twitter which was translated from Japanese by Gematsu. "I am still in overwhelming disbelief at the news of Toriyama's sudden death," he said.
"In the 37 years since [he began work on Dragon Quest, Toriyama] has designed characters, monsters, and created countless more charming characters. The history of Dragon Quest goes hand in hand with Toriyama's character designs."
Thank you for everything, Toriyama-sensei. ?https://t.co/qCevv42AvT pic.twitter.com/o4JaZm2pDw
— Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) March 8, 2024
Myriad manga artists shared their respect and appreciation for Toriyama too. Dragon Ball began in 1984, meaning it doesn't just predate modern favorites like My Hero Academia and Attack on Titan, but long-running classics like One Piece and Naruto.
Several tributes were published on the Shonen Jump website, the magazine where Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto were originally published, and translated by Anime Corner.
"It’s too soon. The void left behind is too large," said Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece. "The sadness overwhelms me when I realize I’ll never meet you again. From my childhood, I’ve admired you. I remember the day I was first called by name, on the way home after the day you used the word "friends" for us, I remember the joyous moment with [Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto]. I remember our last conversation."
Oda said Toriyama triggered a shift in perspective of reading manga in Japan. Once "considered foolish", Dragon Ball created "an era where both adults and children enjoy manga," Oda said. "You showed us that manga can do this, that it can take us to other worlds. It felt like watching a hero charging forward."
He added that Toriyama's work was "like a giant tree" from which modern manga artists branched off. "For manga artists of our generation who stood on the same stage, Toriyama’s works became an even greater presence the closer we got. Almost scary," Oda added. "But meeting the laid-back you always made me happy. We love Toriyama-sensei to the core. With respect and gratitude for Akira Toriyama-sensei’s rich creative world, I sincerely pray for his peaceful rest."
Kishimoto shared a message too. "From early elementary school with Dr Slump to later years with Dragon Ball, Sensei’s manga has always been with me, becoming a part of my life," he said. "Even when things were tough, Dragon Ball every week made me forget about it. It was salvation for a rural boy like me.
"It was during my university days when suddenly, Dragon Ball, which had been a part of my life for so long, ended. I felt an overwhelming sense of loss and didn’t know what to look forward to anymore. But at the same time, it was an opportunity to truly understand Sensei’s greatness, the one who created Dragon Ball."
Kishimoto said Toriyama was his "guiding star" and a god of manga. "The first time I met him, I was so nervous I couldn’t speak. But after meeting him several times at the Tezuka Awards judging committee, I got used to talking to him. As Dragon Ball children, Oda and I talked excitedly about how fun Dragon Ball was, almost competing, and I’ll never forget the slightly embarrassed smile Sensei gave us.
"I’ve just received news of Sensei’s passing. I’m overwhelmed with a sense of loss even greater than when Dragon Ball ended. I still don’t know how to deal with this hole in my heart."
Thank you #AkiraToriyama for creating worlds that shaped my childhood and inspired so many to be comfortable with their nerdy anime loving selves. Your legacy will forever live on. pic.twitter.com/Fber2ukedO
— Camille Salazar Hadaway (@thisiscamco) March 8, 2024
Thousands of other contemporaries, associates, and fans also posted tributes to Toriyama. "It cannot be understated the impact Toriyama’s worlds had on generations of people around the globe," a post on anime streaming website Crunchyroll said.
"For many, Dragon Ball was their first entry into anime and manga, helping shape not only fandoms that have continued into adulthood, but also how they are as people and born friendships that have lasted decades. Generations of people collected, cherished and bonded over stories created by Toriyama. Toriyama’s creations will continue to inspire many more for generations to come."
Host and producer Camille Salazar Hadaway said on X/Twitter: "Thank you Akira Toriyama for creating worlds that shaped my childhood and inspired so many to be comfortable with their nerdy anime loving selves. Your legacy will forever live on."
We'll try tackling life with as much energy as Goku! ?
— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 8, 2024
We loved every minute
Rest in peace, Toriyama-先生 pic.twitter.com/rxHalCZmFG
Showing how far Toriyama and Dragon Ball's influence goes, even French soccer league Ligue 1's X/Twitter posted a tribute alongside a photo of Paris Saint-Germain's colossal Dragon Ball banner used in 2018. Italian club AC Milan shared one too with a photo of its players celebrating with Dragon Ball's iconic fusion pose. "We'll try tackling life with as much energy as Goku," it said. "We loved every minute. Rest in peace, Toriyama."
Japan's ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki published a tribute on X/Twitter as well. "I join millions of Dragon Ball lovers in weeping over the sudden passing away of Mr Akira Toriyama," he said. "Dragon Ball will continue to inspire countless fans in India and across the world."
Toriyama's death was announced on the Dragon Ball website on March 8, 2024, which revealed the manga artist died due to an acute subdural hematoma.
"It's our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm," it said. "Also, he would have many more things to achieve. However, he has left many manga titles and works of art to this world."
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
