According to an announcement on the official Dragon Ball website, Akira Toriyama’s untimely passing on March 1st was attributed to an acute subdural hematoma, a severe medical condition characterized by the accumulation of blood between the skull and the brain’s surface. Signed by his Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo Co., Ltd., the official statement, shared via X (formerly Twitter), solemnly informs friends and partners of Toriyama’s departure at the age of 68.
The message continues, “It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm. Also, he would have many more things to achieve. However, he has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. 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.”
“We inform you of this sad news, and we’re grateful for your kindness during his lifetime. The funeral service was held with his family and very few relatives. Following his wishes for tranquility, we respectfully inform you that we will not accept flowers, condolence gifts, visits, offerings, and others. Also, we ask you to refrain from conducting interviews with his family. Future plans for commemorative gatherings have not been decided. We will let you know when it’s confirmed. We deeply thank you for your understanding and support as always.”
Toriyama’s passing will undoubtedly be a shock to many. He just recently spoke with humility, excitement and vigor at the upcoming anime adaptation of his Sand Land series. He revealed that he wrote the series as a reaction to the flashy Dragon Ball, wanting his future work to instead be about his “favorite small worlds and quiet, peaceful stories about loose-fitting heroes.” From 1978 to current times, with the Dragon Ball Super manga series and many others, Toriyama charmed audiences with his gentle, bright and lovable heroes. He is remembered as one of the biggest influences on modern manga, with his works transcending language barriers and gaining a massive global following.
Rest in peace, Akira Toriyama.
