Shocking news in the world of entertainment, heavily influential illustrator and the author of the Dragonball, Dragonball Z, and Dragonball Super series passed away March 1st, 2024. The cause of death, according to reports, was acute subdural hematoma at the age of 68. A private funeral was held with only his family in attendance, with his production company Bird Studio making his passing public on March 8th.

Japanese voice actors for Dragonall have expressed their condolences. Masako Nozawa, who has portrayed Goku since 1986, posted on Twitter/X:

Masako Nozawa-san has released her comment on Toriyama’s passing:

“I don't want to believe it. My head is empty because I don't want to think about it.
Even so, every time I see Goku, I remember what Toriyama Sensei said to me, 'You will take care of Goku, won't you?'
I… pic.twitter.com/Y5zEB58bVC

— Hype (@DbsHype) March 8, 2024

Akira Toriyama began illustrating in 1978, after quitting his job and submitting illustrations to Weekly Kodansha Magazine's amateur contest at the age of 23. Like many Japanese mangaka [comic artists], he was inspired by the heavily influential Osamu Tezuka, often considered the father of manga, and his hits Astro Boy and Princess Knight. Toriyama initially found initial success with Dr. Slump, a shonen comedy series about the daily life of inventor Senbei Norimaki and his main creation, Arale, an android girl with super-human strength and a poor grasp on humanity.   

He created Dragonball in 1983, originally began as "Dragon Boy", which was succeeded by Dragonball Z, continuing the adventure series starring a now adult Son Goku, with a stronger focus on action. A massive hit from 1989 to 1995, Dragonball Z exploded with western audiences in the late 90's on the Cartoon Network's Toonami anime block in the United States and Canada's YTV in 1997, and Cartoon Network UK in the year 2000.

To name a few, manga artist and authors Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), and Kohei Horikoshi (My Hero Academia) credit their influence to him, ushering a generation of shonen-style action through the late 90's and 2000's. He is often cited as being as important to the medium as Jack Kirby and Osamu Tezuka. Toriyama's art has also been a staple of the Dragon Quest franchise, and many RPG fans may initially recognize his style in the 1995 Super Nintendo game Chrono Trigger. Toriyama would return to the Dragonball franchise in 2012, following Z with Dragonall Super, taking place ten years afterwards, canonically.

He is survived by his wife Yoshimi Kato and their two children.