The Mangaka of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama Dies At Age 68

A legendary mangaka known as the creator of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama passed away at age 68. Toriyama has big contribution to Japanese pop culture as his first manga was created in September 1985. People love his work instantly and Dragon Ball franchise become bigger now.

However, this genius mangka will no longer live as the death announcement was revealed on the official Dragon Ball Z Twitter account. According to the letter, Toriyama died on March 1 due to acute subdural hematoma.

He still has several works that need to be done and he would have many more things to achieve.

“However, he has left many manga titles and works of art in the 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,” said the letter.

Dragon Ball written and illustrated by Toriyama was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jum from 1984 to 1995 with 519 individual chapters collected in 42 tankobon volumes by its publisher Shueisha. The series follows the adventures of protagonist Son Goku from his childhood through adulthood as he trains in martial arts.

He spends his childhood far from civilization until he meets a teen girl named Bulma, who encourages him to join her quest in exploring in the world in search of the seven orbs known as the Dragon Balls.