Sad news to the comic/manga world everyone! R.I.P - Akira Toriyama!

[MalonTheArtist]

R.I.P Akira Toriyama April 5, 1955 - March 1, 2024 (aged 68)
I can't believe I am about to say this, but...I just can't believe it! Do you all know or have you ever heard of "Akira Toriyama". Well he is or rather I can't believe I'm about to say this, he was the creator of the popular series/franchise called "Dragonball" or DBZ to many. I literally just stared at my screen with my mouth open in disbelief. I don't know what to say just that I am sad and deeply disturbed by this. Amazing people that just ooze art keep disappearing, another that bothered me was "Kentaro Miura" - Creator of the "Berserk" manga!
I just wanted you all to know in case you didn't already, I need to process this...I'll come back later to see what everyone had to say about this. Sigh another creator no longer with us, it's just so sad and hard to believe.

[xstarx07]

It‘s really sad news to wake up to, honestly…
Even to think that this man helped shape pop culture as a whole and raising generations of creatives around the world. Even the likes of Oda and Kishimoto put out their messages to show their respect and gratitude, it‘s honestly enough to make one cry.
And that doesn‘t even exclude the gaming world, he was also involved for the art of Chrono Trigger, a beloved classic!

It really shows how much impact Toriyama made to the world. Like, everyone‘s heard of or seen his works at least once!
Hope, he can Rest in Peace, this absolute legend o7 :c

[lignorice]

It's a really sad news. I really, really enjoy Chrono Trigger. It was my first RPG, and one of the best, one that has special place in my heart as always.

Really, Rest in Peace to he who has shined my childhood.

[MalonTheArtist]

Very well said in fact I DID shed tears! It was just so sudden that it's hard to believe that it's real!

[MalonTheArtist]

Yes it is and ME TOO! I love chrono trigger one of the best rpgs ever. It also holds a special place in my heart as well. Ahhh this is just so SAD!

[lignorice]

Agree. Some of my friends play Chrono Trigger and they have been sad as well. They also play Dragon Quest. And I bet a lot of people is sad. He did a lot of best and known creative projects.

I agree with @xstarx07 . He is one that shaped a pop culture of an entire generation. His creations basically accompanies a lot of kids back then!

Truly a legend that we lost, but this life is not an endless journey.

[MalonTheArtist]

So very true! He truly made some genuine masterpieces, I hate referring to him in past tense. You both are very correct in what you have said, he molded a generation of creativity that is still praised until this day! You're right the journey is not endless, but it's just hard when you lose people who left such a positive and uplifting affect on you as a person and a creator!

[allenT]

I just heard about it! He's such an icon & inspiration. RIP

[KennethLopezJr921]

I literally woke up an hour ago and this was one of the first things I woke up to and Im still processing it. Even though I never knew him personally, Im still extremely saddened by this news. And I feel like Im about to cry as I type this.

It's really difficult for me to describe how much of an impact Dragon Ball has had on my life. Like most people, it was one of the shows that really got me into anime, but for me, its more than that. It was one of my biggest and longest hyper-fixations growing up. Initially, that spot went to Thomas the Tank Engine which was I super into from when I was like 3 to when I was 7 or 8 years old (when I was teased by my classmates for still liking it). I got into Dragon Ball when I was around 9 or 10 years old and it lasted well into my high school years, and to some extent now. And artistically speaking, Toriyama and his works have had the greatest impact. Sure, my art style is reminiscent of Disney, but I dont think my story and characters would be what they are now if not for Dragon Ball and how much it inspired me. To put it bluntly, I would not be the man I am today without Toriyama.

May his soul find eternal peace

[nofacedrawer]

[thepenmonster]

This one hits hard. DBZ and his video game designs were a good chunk of my youth.

Anyone who draws an action comic owes him for building the tools they use. Even if he didn't directly influence you, there's a 90% chance he influenced your influences.

[RedLenai]

It is indeed sad, in Latinamerican almost three generations grew up with Dragon Ball and it has been such an inspiration for so many who started their art journey.

I personally can't believe it. A big part of my childhood has left, both my parents and I watched the show and played together some games on NES and Playstation 1.
When I heard the news the only thing I could think of was the End Credits of Final Bout, "Kimi wo Wasurenai" by Hironobu Kageyama, to think after 20 years I realized there was a vocalized version and the lyrics hit really hard.

I can't say... goodbye
I just held back my tears and mumbled silently.
I won't forget you...

[NickRowler]

I find it heartbreaking. Dragon Ball Z was the first anime I watched that got me interested in anime. I read his series as a teenager like Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, Sand Land and Cowa. He also designed characters for Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger.

He inspired me to want to draw comics.

He is truly a legend. I know some people may only be familiar with the Toei anime, I would recommend you look up his illustrations. There is a level of creativity and craft that was lost when redesign for the series. Especially how Toriyama drew vehicles and robots.

[miyaskya]

I was also deeply saddened to see this news since I was a huge Dragon Ball fan when I was younger (had many volumes of the manga, watched the DBZ anime and movies, collected the cards, and had some of the soundtrack CDs). Also played some of Chrono Trigger and watched some episodes of the Dragon Quest anime (Dragon Quest: Legend of the Hero Abel, the one with the Toriyama character designs) and Dr Slump.

He was such an inspiration. May he rest in peace.

[irresponsiblepics]

Gonna have to watch Dr Slump as tribute.