He passed away on 1st March and has since had a funeral that was attended by close friends and family only, according to the statement.
Akira Toriyama was best known for his 1984 manga series Dragon Ball Z, which went on to become one of the most influential manga series of all time, with several spin offs, including the widely loved anime series.
Dragon Ball Z follows the story of the protagonist, Son Goku, who trains in martial arts and collects dragon balls to obtain powers and become stronger. The series is also known for other well known characters such as Goku’s son, Gohan, and the series antagonist Vegeta.
Toriyama’s work would go on to lay the groundwork for many common tropes we see in Shonen manga today, inspiring the narratives of works such as Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, My Hero Academia and Fairy Tail to name a few.
For many people across the globe, Dragon Ball Z would have been their first exposure to manga, anime and/or Japanese pop culture as a whole and has also become a key point in childhood nostalgia in recent times. The themes of friendship, personal growth and perseverance have stood the test of time since the series’ creation, resonating with audiences of all ages including new generations of fans.
Addressing fans of Toriyama’s work, the statement says: “thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years. We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come”.
Akira Toriyama will be remembered for his captivating storytelling, his unique yet foundational art style, his relatable characters and his commitment to his craft.