If you were born in the rad 80s, fly 90s, or bombastic 2000s, chances are you’ve heard the name “Akira Toriyama” at least once in your lifetime. And if you haven’t, well, you’ve definitely crossed paths with Goku from Dragon Ball, right? Yeah, the spiky-haired saiyan warrior that’s arguably the most popular anime character of all time. Well, guess what? Toriyama is the genius behind that very anime.
However, it is with a heavy heart that I say this, but unfortunately he passed away today. But we’re not here to mourn. Instead, in celebration of his life and death, I thought I’d delve a little deeper and write an article all about his life and his knack for creating worlds that made our eyeballs do a happy dance. Enjoy.
Akira Toriyama’s Early Years
Born on April 5, 1955, in Nagoya, Japan, Toriyama was basically destined to doodle. The guy practically had a pencil in his hand straight out of the womb. Drawing memorable characters and conjuring up alternate worlds may have well been his jam from day one.
Toriyama’s Breakthrough
Fast forward to 1978 when Toriyama won the manga lottery with “Wonder Island.” It wasn’t just any island; it was a wonderland of his own making. This masterpiece caught the eye of the manga gods at Shueisha (the renowned manga publishing company), opening the doors for him to a world of artistic wonder.
The Rise of Dr. Slump
Then came “Dr. Slump” in 1980, where Toriyama’s imagination ran wild with a lovable klutz of a robot girl named Arale — yes, the same gal featured in Dragon Ball! The series was like a caffeine jolt to Japan’s pop culture, and suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of Toriyama’s quirky pie.
Dragon Ball
But wait, there’s more! As you might have guessed, in 1984, Toriyama unleashed his greatest work: Dragon Ball. Set in a universe where martial arts, mythical creatures, and incredible ki energy blasts collide, the show was Japan’s equivalent of Superman, and quickly captured the imaginations of readers young and old.
Crafting the World of Dragon Ball
What made “Dragon Ball” so legendary? Well, it wasn’t just Goku’s hair turning gold. Toriyama crafted a cast of characters so diverse and wacky that you couldn’t help but fall in love. From Vegeta’s snarky swagger to Master Roshi’s undying determination to get with every girl in sight, each character had their own flavor of awesome sauce.
Toriyama’s Influence Beyond Manga
Akira Toriyama didn’t just draw manga; he practically karate-chopped his way into TV with Dragon Ball, turning it into a global sensation! His characters were so alive, you’d swear Goku was eating ramen right next to you. Kids worldwide couldn’t resist tapping into their inner Saiyan, trying to summon Kamehamehas or going Super Saiyan in the living room!
But Toriyama didn’t stop there. Oh no, he pulled a creative rabbit out of his hat with “Chrono Trigger,” revamped “Dr. Slump,” and even gave us over 40 Dragon Ball video games! The guy really was a creative genius, bouncing between mediums like it was nobody’s business.
Modesty Amidst Success
Despite being the mastermind behind some of the coolest stuff on the planet, Toriyama stayed as humble as a grasshopper. He’d shrug off his success like it was no big deal, chalking it up to luck and hard work, and then kept on truckin’ fueled by pure passion. From manga to anime, and video games to whatever else he felt like, Toriyama’s creative tendrils reached far and wide. His works didn’t just inspire; they practically drop-kicked the imaginations of artists, writers, and filmmakers around the globe!
So here we are, bidding farewell to an icon. Akira Toriyama wasn’t just a manga artist; he was the reason for many of our childhoods. And his legacy isn’t just about ink on paper; it’s about the joy, the laughter, and the spirit of adventure he brought to our lives. As we look forward to the future, let’s remember one Grand Elder Guru’s quote from DB: “Death is simply another stage of our life.” We’ll see you with King Kai in the afterlife — RIP Legend!
