The creator of Japan’s hugely popular Dragon Ball comics and anime cartoons, Akira Toriyama, has died aged 68, his production team said.
“We are deeply saddened to inform you that Manga creator Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1st due to acute subdural hematoma,” said a statement posted on the official X account of the Dragon Ball franchise. “It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm,” the statement attributed to Toriyama’s Bird Studio said.
“He would have many more things to achieve. However, he has left many manga titles and works of art in this world,” it added. “We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.”
It was first serialised in 1984 and has spawned countless anime series, films, and video games. It features a boy named Son Goku who increases his powers by collecting magical balls containing dragons to help him and his allies in a fight to protect the Earth from evil enemies.
