Today, The Japan Times has reported that Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of “Dragon Ball,” had passed away on March 1st, 2023, at the age of 68 due to a brain clot. He left a legacy of over 45 years in the creative industry.
His work, including the international hit “Dragon Ball,” which started in 1984, and other renowned series like “Dr. Slump,” brought him global acclaim and a devoted fan base.
His sudden death has brought heartfelt tributes and acknowledgments of his unfinished projects, with the Dragon Ball official website expressing a deep sense of loss while extending gratitude to his fans worldwide. The anime community worldwide will certainly feel this dagger deep in the chest.
Akira Toriyama’s Impact
Many articles are probably going to list his works and his achievements to explain his impact on the anime world we all love so dearly. But for me, his impact is incredibly personal. I never met the man, but without his work I doubt I’d be where I am today.
One of my most vivid childhood memories is playing in the basement with my cousins, pretending we were DBZ characters and having mock fights with imaginary kamehamehas and spirit bombs.
As a child, his work taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and always pushing yourself to find more within you, to find strength you never knew you were capable of.
While we can’t all train in intense gravity, the symbolism of these iconic moments remained in our hearts throughout adolescence and we carry them into adulthood.
If Goku can do all this, I can make it through this painful basketball practice.
If little Chiaotzu had the courage to sacrifice himself for his friends, how can I as a man do any less for my own friends and family?
It’s not just Dragon Ball, his works such as Dr.Slump, Dragon Quest, Cowa! are all dear to my heart, and the list goes on.
Stories Change Lives; Stories Change the World
Many people who don’t understand anime might think it’s silly to say an anime can change a life. But I’d go further to say that the stories he made, the stories all anime creators make, change the world.
All you need to do to change the world for the better is make one person try harder, and his stories did that for millions across the world.
For me, Dragon Ball, along with Pokemon, were the sole 2 works that introduced me to Japanese culture, and sparked my love for this country.
I can confidently say that without this spark, I wouldn’t have become a diehard anime fan. I wouldn’t have become a JRPG lover.
Without my love for Japanese pop culture, I would never have discovered Japanese societal culture, and history. I would never have moved to Japan and grew my career and life in this country I’ve grown to love and be accepted by.
I would never have met my wife.
My baby girl would never have been born.
The thought of that alone is enough to make any grown man fall apart.
When Our Heroes Pass, a Piece of Our Heart Goes With Them
I’m 30 now. And I never understood why people would cry when celebrities died.
You never knew them, quit being dramatic.
Those words always popped into my head.
But today I learned why it can hurt so much. It’s because when our heroes pass, it feels as though their work has come to an end.
Of course, the owners of the IP can carry on the story with new writers, but we know it’ll never be the same.
And so when Toriyama passed, it’s as if Goku went with him.
It’s as if we abruptly had to close a chapter of our childhood that made us who we are today. Hearing this news was similar to the feeling I had when Pokemon finally decided to move on from Ash (Satoshi) and Pikachu. It was as if a huge part of our lives had come to an end.
I know that I’m a grown man. I know that I’m no longer a child. But today it felt like a part of that child in me had gone as well.
From Me to You
While we can’t bring people back from the dead, what we can do is do our best to honor their legacy.
Toriyama-Sensei, if you’re reading this up there next to King Kai, I will honor your memory by continuing to enjoy your work and through this website, inspire a new generation of anime fans to discover and enjoy your timeless stories.
All the lessons you taught me through your work will remain in my heart forever, and I’ll pass on these ideals to my daughter.
Thank you for all you’ve done and please rest in peace knowing your impact on me and the world will never be forgotten.
RIP Akira Toriyama, March 1st, 2024.
