It was on March 8 that Akira Toriyama's studio and publishing house announced his death from a subdural hematoma at the age of 68. Toriyama is notably the creator of DragonBall, a work which influenced not only the manga and animation industry, but also that of video games and even Hollywood. In fact, all pop culture in general.
Fan creations, of course derivative products based on endless improbable collaborations, and even a live film (of sad memory though), DragonBall is everywhere. If Toriyama is not just about DragonBall, his most famous creation will have inspired artists who also became legendary afterwards.
An immortal work££££
The entire industry has made tribute to the man and his work, starting with Eiichirō Oda and Masashi Kishimoto, respective creators of two of the most popular sagas of the genre, One Piece and Naruto, which would not exist if Toriyama had not paved the way.
"Carrying on the torch from a time when reading manga was considered a mindless waste of time, you are among those who forged an era where adults and children can read and enjoy the medium, a writes the One Piece author. By showing me that manga can achieve such things... you made me dream that I could touch the whole world." "When I got to college, suddenly DragonBall ended and I felt a incredible feeling of loss that I could not replace, formulated the creator of Naruto. But at the same time, it gave me the opportunity to understand the greatness of the master who created it. And of course, I wanted to do something similar. I wanted to be like my master. I started following in his footsteps and aspired to become a mangaka, which made that feeling of loss disappear."
Like a handful of other artists before him, Toriyama passed away but remained immortal thanks to the work and the passion he leaves behind, and which will continue to be passed on. Rest in peace Tori.
