On March 8th, it was announced by Akira Toriyama's studio that the acclaimed Japanese manga artist passed away on the 1st of this month due to an acute subdural hematoma, at the age of 68. The studio sincerely appreciates everyone's love and friendship towards him.
As a renowned manga artist in Japan, Akira Toriyama's breakthrough work is "Dr. Slump," while his masterpiece "Dragon Ball" enjoys immense popularity worldwide. "Dragon Ball" has remained a global phenomenon, boasting sales of over 250 million copies (as of 2018), surpassing expectations and standing the test of time.
The manga "Dragon Ball," which began serialization in 1984, differed from many other works that were red-hot during serialization but quickly cooled off after completion. "Dragon Ball" continued to be wildly popular even after its conclusion in 1995, and its popularity has remained high for decades. It continues to release anime, games, and other merchandise regularly.
After the news of Akira Toriyama's passing, fans in Japan expressed their condolences, with some remarking that "the golden age of Japanese manga has come to an end."
Rest in peace.
