The Enduring Legacy of “Dragon Ball” Creator Akira Toriyama
The influence that Akira Toriyama, the creator of "Dragon Ball," has had on today's mainstream cultural landscape is profound.
Bird Studio, the company Toriyama established in 1983, recently announced the passing of Akira Toriyama on March 1st due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage at the age of 68. Despite his departure, his legacy remains vibrant across all realms of entertainment.
Following in the footsteps of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Toriyama is hailed by The Washington Post as one of the most influential contemporary Japanese artists, credited with popularizing manga and anime worldwide and breaking down cultural barriers that once confined Japanese storytelling.
In light of Toriyama’s passing, Bird Studio respectfully requests that the public honor his memory with a private funeral. “Although we deeply lament that he left behind some unfinished projects that he was passionately working on, his contribution to the world of manga and art is immeasurable. With the support of fans worldwide, he was able to dedicate over 45 years to his creative pursuits.”
Toriyama’s most popular work, “Dragon Ball,” first published in 1984, drew inspiration from the classic Chinese tale “Journey to the West” and centered around martial arts themes.
The anime adaptation, “Dragon Ball Z,” propelled Toriyama’s work to unprecedented global success, with the franchise becoming so iconic that its lead character, Goku, is a staple giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the US.
Since its introduction on Cartoon Network in 1996, “Dragon Ball Z” has captivated millions of American viewers, introducing many to the “shounen” storytelling style for the first time. Shounen, a genre of Japanese manga aimed at teenage boys, typically features tales of adventure, heroism, and the bonds of friendship.
In an era where serialized storytelling was rare on American television, “Dragon Ball Z” broke new ground, captivating young audiences with its ongoing narrative.
Toriyama’s works enjoy immense popularity in the Latin American market, where Goku has attained legendary status as a hero. The Los Angeles Times once explored the impact of Toriyama’s creations with the headline “Celebrating Goku, a Latin American Icon.”
Toriyama’s artistry is characterized by its sharp, distinctive style, characterized by exaggerated expressions that convey emotions vividly.
His bold, easily recognizable illustrations often feature prominently in his storytelling, with iconic gestures like Goku’s trademark energy blasts becoming instantly recognizable symbols of his work.
This iconic move has also inspired various video games and continues to influence action-packed narratives across different media. It even served as inspiration for the boxing matches in the film “Creed III.”
The Influence of Dragon Ball on Sports
Athletes often draw inspiration from “Dragon Ball” because Toriyama focuses on stories of determination and courage.
Many sports teams, athletes, and fans share their love and respect for Dragon Ball. In soccer, many players celebrate scoring goals with the iconic Kamehameha gesture.
Liverpool’s young talent, Harvey Elliott, celebrated memorably after scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace on December 9, 2023. Elliott mimicked Goku and performed the trademark Kamehameha pose. In Dragon Ball, this powerful technique helps Goku gather energy before releasing it in a powerful wave of energy.
Tifos—spectacular fan displays in stadiums, often involving thousands of people creating giant artworks—have frequently featured Dragon Ball characters like Goku and Vegeta. Some clubs have even incorporated impressive Dragon Ball-themed entrances, including Paris Saint-Germain, Wydad Red Castle, and Deportivo Saprissa.
“Naruto” Author: “Akira Toriyama’s Manga Became a Part of My Life”
From manga and anime authors of the same era to those he inspired, all express gratitude to the creator of Dragon Ball.
Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, considers Toriyama’s departure a profound loss. Throughout his youth, Toriyama’s manga accompanied him, becoming a part of his life. Toriyama’s talent inspired Kishimoto’s passion for manga.
“He was the guiding star for me. Upon hearing of his passing, I was shocked and felt a great loss. I don’t know how to deal with this void in my heart. Now, I can’t even bring myself to read Dragon Ball, my beloved manga,” Kishimoto said.
As one influenced by the late author, Eiichirō Oda, the author of One Piece, shares: “You are the one who turned the era when many thought ‘reading manga is foolish’ into an era where people of all ages are passionate about manga. You showed that manga can achieve such things. That dream is what you’ve shown to us…
We express our respect and gratitude for the wonderful creative world that Toriyama sensei left behind. We pray for his peaceful rest from the bottom of our hearts. Hopefully, the afterlife is as comfortable as you imagined.”
Slam Dunk author Takehiko Inoue wrote: “I cannot accept this.” On Weibo, actor Jackie Chan expressed condolences for Toriyama’s passing: “Akira Toriyama, thank you for creating so many classic works. They will endure forever.”
