In Memoriam: Akira Toriyama (1955-2024)
I didn’t grow up around a lot of Japanese anime. I had a few dives here and there, and it was only through television I would be able to get a whiff of what Dragon Ball Z was all about.
Over the years, I grew an appreciation for the value and influence Japanese animation accrued over its audience, and I would ultimately take the liberty to venture other anime shows where, when and if I could. I’ve yet to complete the Dragon Ball journey like most other otakus, though. So, indeed and to this day, I have my homework cut out for me.
I reflect on this in light of the news that broke on Friday morning – Japan time – of renowned mangaka Akira Toriyama. The man has inspired millions of fans over the years through his work and most notably through the Dragon Ball franchise. The news of his passing on March 1 from an acute subdermal hematoma, embargoed by friends and loved ones for a week until now, has barely begun to sink in. It’s a heavy loss to take, and my heartfelt condolences and best wishes go out to those of you who’ve held him and his work close, and in your hearts for longer than I’ve ever been familiar with it.
It was always my wish that we would see more evolutions of his work, as well as the completion of his current work. I still pine for a potentially grand live-action adaptation of Dragon Ball onto the big screen or episodic series someday. I know it’s possible, especially in light of what has been accomplished of late with One Piece and Yu Yu Hakusho, and most especially with Knights Of The Zodiac.
If that happens, I hope I and all of us are still are still around to see it. And for that, we can all still pay tribute to the man who otherwise continues to inspire a great many fan and creative who’ve taken cues from his excellence.
Akira Toriyama was 68. He leaves behind a wife and two children, and a legacy that will infinitely stand the test of time.
An official statement on his passing can be read at the official Dragon Ball website.
Lead photo credit: IMDb
Native New Yorker. Been writing for a long time now, and I enjoy what I do. Be nice to me!
