Akira Toriyama has passed away from an acute subdural hematoma. He was 68 years old.
The news reached us on March 8, a week after his death, and anime and manga fans around the world have joined voices in collective mourning. Some share stories of how Dragon Ball allowed them to find strength and inspiration in the world. Others post photos of the artist, and scans of iconic stills from his work, alongside well wishes for the next step in his journey into the thereafter. Publications across the world have posted articles and op-eds remarking on the gaping, unfillable void that’s opened in his absence.
These voices have joined with living legends of the anime and manga worlds, both, from Kinnikuman creator Takashi Shimada to One Piece author Eiichiro Oda. Masako Nozawa, who plays Goku in the anime and video game adaptations of Dragon Ball, expressed her shock and sadness as she promised to carry on Toriyama’s legacy as the iconic character.
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii and Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father of Final Fantasy, each paid their respects to their fallen friend, while industry giants Shonen Jump and Toei offered their thanks and condolences in equal measure. French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron and representatives from China’s and El Salvador’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs offered their condolences.
Meanwhile, it’s 8:30 PM on a Saturday night in Rhode Island. The air is humid and chill after an early March rain shower, and I have just heard Closing Time by Semisonic come on the radio. I turn toward my speakers with the blankest stare. For the past twenty years, it’s been a song that seems to worm its way into my life whenever someone important to me passes. Funny how things work out that way.
I don’t know what else to say. It’s my job to speak, and yet I sit here, struggling to put words to the unyielding sadness I’ve been feeling over the past few days. Toriyama’s work has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. His character designs for Dragon Warrior helped to inspire my lifelong love of role-playing games. Syndicated airings of Dragon Ball and the Dragon Warrior anime helped to plant the seeds of my passion for the medium—a passion that still burns brightly today. Dr. Slump showed me how silly and heartfelt a manga could be, and that Suppaman is a total jerk.
And then there’s Chrono Trigger, which defined a large portion of my childhood, a title that remains a darling point of commiseration among my friends today. It was an unforgettable adventure, one that wouldn’t be the same without Toriyama’s iconic characters—from the lively Crono and Marle, to the enigmatic Magus, to quirky characters like Flea and Gato. Each one of his designs was larger than life, and thus they live on in players’ memories.
Toriyama has left in us a love for this medium, one that he helped build with his own two hands. Character by character, contribution by contribution, this is our inheritance, and his stories will continue to inspire fans for generations to come. Whether they find a friend in Arale, a hero in Goku, or a comrade in Jessica or Erik, he’ll continue to live on through our memories and his works.
Rest well, Toriyama-sensei. We are all grateful for everything you’ve done for us—grateful enough to dry our tears and cheer you on as you wander the Snake Way toward your next adventure.
