Akira Toriyama, who passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 68, was far more than just a manga artist; he was a global architect of popular culture. His distinctive art style, boundless imagination, and knack for combining action with endearing humor created worlds that transcended comics, revolutionized the anime and video game industries, and shaped the childhoods of millions across the planet.
The Dawn of a Legend: Dr. Slump
The Breakthrough: In 1980, Toriyama began serializing Dr. Slump in Weekly Shōnen Jump. The story, set in the surreal Penguin Village, followed the adventures of Dr. Senbei Norimaki and his creation, Arale Norimaki.
Early Success: The manga became an immediate hit, praised for its slapstick comedy and unique character designs. It earned Toriyama the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen/shōjo and went on to sell over 35 million copies in Japan. This early success established Toriyama's signature style—clean lines, expressive characters, and a deep love for vehicles and mechanical designs.
The Global Phenomenon: Dragon Ball
Building on the foundation of his earlier one-shot manga Dragon Boy, Toriyama launched the series that would cement his legacy: Dragon Ball.
A New Kind of Action: Serialized from 1984 to 1995, Dragon Ball initially blended the Chinese classical novel Journey to the West with Hong Kong martial arts films (especially those starring Jackie Chan). It began as a humorous adventure about young Son Goku and his companion Bulma searching for the seven wish-granting Dragon Balls.
The Evolution: As the series progressed, the tone shifted from martial arts comedy to high-stakes, planet-spanning science fiction. The introduction of iconic concepts like the Super Saiyan transformation, escalating power levels, and relentless villains like Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu captivated audiences worldwide.
Unprecedented Impact: Dragon Ball became one of the best-selling manga series of all time, with an estimated 260 million copies sold worldwide. Its anime adaptations, particularly Dragon Ball Z, served as a spearhead for the globalization of Japanese anime and manga in the West, influencing an entire generation of subsequent artists, including the creators of One Piece and Naruto.
Beyond Manga: A Video Game Visionary
Toriyama's influence was not limited to the pages of Weekly Shōnen Jump. His distinct, appealing character designs brought life and recognition to some of the most enduring video game franchises.
Dragon Quest: Beginning in 1986, Toriyama served as the character designer for the highly influential Dragon Quest series, helping to define the look and feel of the JRPG genre. His unique, approachable fantasy aesthetic made the game a cultural touchstone in Japan and beyond.
Chrono Trigger: In 1995, he collaborated on the landmark Super Nintendo RPG, Chrono Trigger, creating the unforgettable designs for the time-traveling heroes and their world.
Other Works: His creative output also included other manga like Cowa!, Kajika, and the recent hit Sand Land (2000), which received a 2024 video game adaptation.
An Untouchable Legacy
His artistic style—known for its dynamic action choreography, distinctive character shapes, and clean, readable panel layouts—became the template for the modern shōnen action genre. He made fantasy and martial arts accessible, cool, and deeply personal.
Akira Toriyama's passing marked the end of an era, but his creations—from the humorous inventions of Penguin Village to the universe-shaking battles of Goku—have left a permanent, untouchable legacy that continues to inspire courage, justice, and the relentless pursuit of one's full potential for fans across every corner of the earth.
