Akira Toriyama, known as the author of the manga "Dragon Ball," passed away on the 1st at the age of 68. His death was announced on the 8th on the official "Dragon Ball" website. Following this, Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump," where he serialized his manga, Toei Animation, which produces the anime "Dragon Ball," and fellow manga artists conveyed their tributes and shared the impact Toriyama had on the industry.

Toriyama debuted in 1978 with "Wonder Island." He then went on to publish popular works in "Weekly Shonen Jump," such as "Dr. Slump" and "Dragon Ball." "Dragon Ball," which started its serialization in 1984, became globally popular and has been adapted into anime, live-action versions, and continues to be loved to this day.

In addition to manga, Toriyama also worked on character design for the "Dragon Quest" series and "Chrono Trigger" video games.

Full Comment from the Jump Editorial Department:

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Akira Toriyama Sensei, who has published many works in our magazine.

The sudden news of his death has enveloped all of us at Shueisha and the editorial department in great sorrow.

"Manga such as "Dr. Slump," "DRAGON BALL," "SAND LAND"... Sensei's works have been read and loved around the world, beyond borders. Moreover, the charming characters he created and his overwhelming design sense have had a significant influence on numerous manga artists and creators.

We honor and express our gratitude for Sensei's great achievements and respectfully pray for his soul's peace.

Weekly Shonen Jump Editorial Department, V Jump Editorial Department
Jump SQ. Editorial Department, Saikyo Jump Editorial Department
Shonen Jump+ Editorial Department

Full Comment from Toei Animation:

We are truly saddened by the passing of Toriyama Sensei

. We offer our deepest condolences.

Our company has many staff members who admire Toriyama Sensei and have been involved in masterpieces such as "Dr. Slump" and the "Dragon Ball" series. We are deeply grateful for his guidance in production.

Toei Animation was honored to animate works loved around the world by Sensei. We pray for his soul's peace.

Toei Animation

Comment from Yuji Horii:

The news of Toriyama-san's sudden passing is still hard to believe, and I am filled with disbelief. I've known Toriyama-san since I was a writer for Shonen Jump, and at the recommendation of editor Torishima-san, I asked him to do the artwork for Dragon Quest when we were launching the game.

Over the past 37 years, he has drawn countless charming characters and monster designs for us. The history of Dragon Quest has been with Toriyama-san's character design.

Toriyama-san and the late Sugiyama-sensei were comrades who had been creating Dragon Quest for a long time. It's hard to find words... I'm truly, truly saddened.

Dragon Quest Game Designer, Yuji Horii

Comment from Eiichiro Oda:

It's far too soon. The void left is too vast.

The thought of never being able to meet him again brings overwhelming sadness. I've admired him too much since I was a child. I remember the day he first called me by my name. The day we, along with Kishimoto-san, joyfully celebrated being called "friends" by him. I remember the last conversation we had.

He took the baton in an era when it was said that reading manga made you stupid and helped create a time when both adults and children could enjoy reading manga. He showed us what manga could do, that it could reach the world, like watching a hero forge ahead.

For creators working in various industries, the excitement and impact of Dragon Ball's serialization during their boyhood are rooted deep within them. His existence is like a great tree.

To us manga artists of the same generation who stood on the same stage, the closer we got to Toriyama's works, the more we realized how vast they were. Frighteningly so. Yet, meeting him in person, you'd just feel happy because we love Toriyama-sensei to the level of our blood

.

With deep respect and gratitude for the wonderfully creative world Toriyama-sensei left behind, we sincerely pray for his peaceful rest.

May heaven be as fun as the world you imagined, Sensei.

Eiichiro Oda

Comment from Masashi Kishimoto:

It's all so sudden, I honestly don't know what to write. But now, I want to convey the thoughts and feelings I've always wished to share with Toriyama-sensei.

Growing up, I was nurtured by Sensei's manga, from "Dr. Slump" in my early elementary years to "Dragon Ball" as I got older. It felt natural to have his manga by my side as part of my life. Even when things were tough, the weekly excitement of "Dragon Ball" made everything else fade away. It was a salvation for a rural boy like me, simply because "Dragon Ball" was too enjoyable!

When I was in college, "Dragon Ball" suddenly ended, leaving me with an immense sense of loss, unsure of what to look forward to next. However, this also allowed me to truly understand the greatness of the man who created "Dragon Ball." I wanted to create works like his; I wanted to be like him. As I pursued manga, chasing after Sensei, that sense of loss gradually faded because creating manga was so enjoyable.

Sensei has always been my guide and my aspiration. It may be presumptuous, but I'm truly grateful to him. To me, he was nothing short of a savior, a god of manga.

The first time I met him, I was too nervous to speak a word. But after seeing him several times at the Tezuka Award judging panels, I became able to talk to him. Returning to our childhood selves, Oda-san and I excitedly competed in sharing how much we loved "Dragon Ball," and Sensei's slightly embarrassed but happy smile is unforgettable.

Now, just having received the news of Sensei's passing, I'm overwhelmed by a loss greater than when "Dragon Ball" ended... I'm still at a loss on how to deal with this void in my heart. I can't even bring myself to read the beloved "Dragon Ball" right now. I'm not sure if this message I'm writing is coherent.

Everyone around the world was still looking forward to Sensei's works. If there truly was one wish that could be granted by the Dragon Balls... I'm sorry... it might be selfish, but this is truly heartbreaking.

Akira Toriyama-sensei, thank you for the many wonderful works over 45 years. And truly, thank you for your hard work.

To the bereaved family, I know words cannot fully express the depth of sorrow at this time. Please take care of yourselves. I pray for Akira Toriyama-sensei's peaceful rest.

Masashi Kishimoto