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Akira Toriyama, the manga creator whose work included Dragon Ball, died on March 1, 2024, aged 68, from acute subdural hematoma. Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo announced his death on March 8, saying he had been working enthusiastically on several projects and felt he still had more to accomplish.
When did Akira Toriyama die, and what was the cause?
Toriyama died on March 1, 2024. The announcement from Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo, dated March 8, said he died from acute subdural hematoma. The representatives also said his creative career had spanned more than 45 years. Read the statement and tributes published by Shueisha.
The statement said the funeral had already taken place with family and a small number of relatives. The representatives asked the public not to send flowers or condolence gifts, visit or make offerings, or seek interviews with the family. They said no commemorative gathering had been decided at that time.
What was Akira Toriyama known for?
From early manga to Dragon Ball
Toriyama made his manga debut with Wonder Island in 1978, according to the Associated Press. His first major hit was Dr. Slump, which began in 1980. Dragon Ball began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984, following Son Goku on a quest to find seven magical balls that summon a wish-granting dragon when brought together. The Associated Press reported on Toriyama’s career and the series’ origins.
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The story expanded beyond manga into animated television, films, and video games. Its scale is best understood through dated, attributed figures rather than as a current tally: Toriyama’s studio told the AP in March 2024 that Dragon Ball had sold 260 million copies worldwide; Toei Animation described it as having sold 260 million copies worldwide and counting in a September 2024 release. The Government of Japan’s May 2024 Kizuna feature stated that the manga had been translated into 25 languages, citing the context of Ito Yu’s private collection. Toei Animation’s September 2024 franchise overview listed six episodic series and 21 feature films, including Dragon Ball DAIMA—counts tied to that release, not an updated total.
Other work and game design
Toriyama’s work also included Sand Land, and his character designs shaped the Dragon Quest game series. Shueisha’s editorial departments named Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball, and Sand Land among the manga titles read and loved around the world, and said his characters and creativity influenced manga artists and other creators.
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How did fellow creators and the public respond?
Shueisha published tributes from creators who had grown up with Toriyama’s work and later followed him into the manga industry. Eiichiro Oda, creator of One Piece, wrote, “His existence is like a mother tree.” Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto, recalled that Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball had become a natural part of his everyday life as a child. These are the publishers’ English renderings of the tributes.
Japan’s government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told Reuters that “Mr. Toriyama’s work has led to the widespread recognition of Japan’s content around the world.” Reuters also reported that discussion of Toriyama’s death had received 450 million views on Weibo as of March 8, 2024—a snapshot of attention on that platform, not a measure of current audience size. Reuters’ report carried by Investing.com covered the reaction.
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Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo expressed regret that Toriyama still had works in progress and said they hoped his distinctive creative world would continue to be loved. The message of the tributes was not only that his stories reached a vast audience, but that his characters and imagination became part of the working lives of later creators.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can readers revisit Toriyama’s work?
Readers can approach his legacy through different formats: the Dragon Ball manga, its animated and film adaptations, his earlier hit Dr. Slump, Sand Land, or the games featuring his Dragon Quest character designs. The Government of Japan’s Kizuna feature offers additional cultural context on Toriyama’s legacy: “Legacy of Toriyama Akira”.
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