The Anime and Manga community expresses condolences following the passing of Dragon Ball creator, Akira Toriyama.
People worldwide have offered their condolences to the iconic manga creator Akira Toriyama, who tragically passed away on March 1st. In the wake of Toriyama’s death, fans across the globe have taken to social media to share their tributes, respects, and condolences.
While many of these messages come from well-known figures in the creative industry, a deeper search reveals sentiments from lesser-known authors, scholars, anime producers, celebrities, individuals on the periphery of the manga and anime community, and even world leaders and governments. Each message is heartfelt and has the potential to evoke strong emotions. Keep a tissue handy, as the outpouring of grief may be overwhelming.
And this is just the beginning. We’re compiling another article featuring additional condolences from various corners of the globe.
やらかした人が出てるコンテンツを見れなくするの、ホントやめてほしいよなあ。なんで他の出演者やスタッフ、何よりも視聴者が連帯責任取らされなきゃあかんねん。
— ボボボAp-B 単行本『恥育玩具』発売中 (@bobobo_boi) March 12, 2019
During my time in elementary school, I emulated Dragon Ball, discovering the delight of sketching. May you find eternal peace.
Brianne Drouhard:
RIP Toriyama and thank you for inspiring and sharing your art and stories with us. pic.twitter.com/Wd0XFEmBTH
— Brianne (@potatofarmgirl) March 8, 2024
Emmanuel Macron (President of France)
À Akira Toriyama et ses millions de passionnés qui ont grandi avec lui.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 8, 2024
鳥山明と何百万もの彼の愛好家へ。 pic.twitter.com/0AAvVxUuj6
To Akira Toriyama and his millions of fans who grew up with him.
Enrico Croce (Editor at SMAC!):
Akira Toriyama-sensei has passed away. I can't believe it...
— Enrico🍅SMAC! (@kenrico7) March 8, 2024
My first manga purchase was this edition of DB vol.14.
Without him and Tetsuo Hara-sensei, my passion for manga and Japan wouldn't be the same.
Thank you for inspiring so many over the years. pic.twitter.com/bDkyn3nmbP
On Saturday, the Foreign Ministry of El Salvador issued a statement offering heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the people and government of Japan in light of Toriyama’s passing. An excerpt from the ministry’s message reads:
“In the face of this irreparable loss, our nation recognizes Toriyama’s invaluable contribution to the world of manga and popular culture. His iconic works have marked several generations of Salvadorans and inspired artists, captivating millions of readers and viewers around the world.
His legacy will live on in the hearts of his fans and in the history of manga.”
El Salvador se une al luto por la partida del reconocido artista Akira Toriyama, creador de Dragon Ball.
— Cancillería de El Salvador 🇸🇻 (@cancilleriasv) March 8, 2024
Ante esta irreparable pérdida, nuestra nación reconoce la invaluable contribución de Toriyama al mundo del manga y la cultura popular. pic.twitter.com/lWZbXWyirb
Fukudada (adult manga author):
僕が漫画でご飯食べてこうと決めた時に具体的に取り込もう（パクると言っても良い）と思ったのが鳥山明、桂正和、Moo.念平（敬称略）でした。鳥山先生からは絵柄だけでなく漫画そのものかもしれない。
— フクダーダ (@ffkkdddd) March 8, 2024
When I decided manga would be my profession, the people whose styles I specifically wanted to incorporate (you could even call it plagiarize) were Akira Toriyama, Masakazu Katsura, and Moo.Nenpei (titles omitted). From Toriyama-sensei, it might not just be his art style, but manga itsel
18号初登場時は衝撃だった。
— フクダーダ (@ffkkdddd) March 8, 2024
あんなキャラデザ見たことなかったもの。まだそんな引き出しあんのか！って。
I was shocked when Android 18 first appeared.
I’ve never seen character design like that. I was like, “You still have that in your back pocket?”
Hiro Mashima (Fairy Tail):
鳥山先生がいなければ僕は漫画家になっていませんでした。悲しいです。
— 真島ヒロ (@hiro_mashima) March 8, 2024
Without Toriyama-sensei, I would not have become a manga author. Such a loss.
Hiromitsu Takeda (Maken-Ki!)
嘘だろ……なんで…ショックです、全世界の人が、だと思いますが……
— 武田弘光 (@shinjugai) March 8, 2024
小学生の頃、ドラゴンボールの絵に憧れて模写したのが漫画絵を書き始めたキッカケだったので…ご冥福をお祈りいたします
It can’t be…why…I’m sure everyone around the world is shocked…
When I was in elementary school, I admired the drawings of Dragon Ball and copied them, which was the reason I started drawing manga…I pray he rests in peace.
Kentaro Yabuki (To Love Ru)
長文ですが
— 矢吹健太朗 Info (@yabuki_info) March 8, 2024
心の整理をつけるためにも
個人的な想いを綴らせてください。
少年の頃、転校が多く
1人になりがちな僕でしたが
ドラゴンボールの話題をキッカケにすれば
どこでも新しい友だちができました。
鳥山先生のイラストをたくさん模写して
マンガを描く楽しさを知りました。… pic.twitter.com/G5oK8Xf0O8
This is a long post, but I would like to write down my personal thoughts to help clear my mind.
When I was a boy, I often changed schools and was alone quite a bit. But once I started talking about Dragon Ball, I was able to make new friends everywhere.
I learned the joy of drawing manga by copying many of Toriyama-sensei’s illustrations. I was hooked on both Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger, too.
The first time a drawing of mine appeared in Jump was on a postcard project for Dragon Ball readers. I think that gave me confidence and led me to submit my work for the Manga Award several years later.
I didn’t have the chance to meet him in person, but even if I had had the chance, I might have been too scared to get close to him…that’s how much I admired him.
The illustrations and kind comments he drew for ToLOVE’s 10th anniversary are treasures that will last a lifetime.
You created many happy memories in my life and in everyone’s life.Thank you very much, Toriyama-sensei.
I hope that someday I will meet you wearing a halo on your head…
I pray that your soul may rest in peace.
Masanori Morita (Rookies):
6年前仕事場を新築した時初めて額装するまで、ずっと裸で飾ってたので、すっかり陽に焼けてしまった色紙。
— 森田まさのり (@HITMANmorita) March 8, 2024
高2の時、手塚賞の佳作をもらった時にパーティーでいただきました。
添えていただいた言葉は何よりの励みになりました。
ありがとうございました!
連載作家になれましたよ！ pic.twitter.com/LdbQh8sRg1
The autograph board had been displayed naked until I framed it for the first time when I built a new workplace six years ago, so it was completely bleached by the sun.
When I was a second year high school student, I received this at a party when I received an honorable mention for the Tezuka Prize.
The words he included gave me the most encouragement.
Thank you very much!
I got a series!
Max Andrade (Brazilian comic author):
Vou te amar por toda minha vida ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vGbOttmtM0
— Max Andrade (@puffnopiripaf) March 8, 2024
I will love you all my life ❤️
Merrivius (Finnish comic author):
Sad to hear about Toriyama's passing. His art was one of the biggest influences to me when I was growing up.
— Merrivius (@merrivius) March 8, 2024
I was also working on a short Dragon Ball Z inspired comic on the side, I need to finish it in his honor.
In the meantime, here's some Gokus... pic.twitter.com/zP8Efp2H7C
Mifune Seijiro (adult manga author):
鳥山明先生は日本の漫画、アニメ、ゲーム、いや世界中にどれだけ影響を与えた方だったか。御冥福をお祈りします。
— 三船誠二郎 (@mifuneseijiro) March 8, 2024
How much of an influence did Akira Toriyama have on Japanese manga, anime, games, and, indeed, the world? I pray for your soul to rest in peace.
Minako Uchida:
常に目の前に鳥山明先生の作品がある、そんな世界を生きてきたように思う
— 内田美奈子 (@zerra01) March 8, 2024
R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/0l9HkB7XVh
I feel like I live in a world where Akira Toriyama works are always in front of me.
R.I.P.
Mitsuru Miura (The Kabocha Wine)
間違いなく世界中に「MANGA」を広めた偉大な才人…残念です
— 三浦みつる (@miura_mitsuru) March 8, 2024
漫画家 鳥山明さん死去 68歳 「DRAGON BALL」などで人気 https://t.co/KJ9FQHEy9I
Without a doubt, he is a great talent who spread “MANGA” throughout the world… What a shame.
Manga author Akira Toriyama dies at age 68, known for works such as DRAGON BALL.
Nate Ming:
Akira Toriyama drawing motorcycles is one of my favorite things about Dragon Ball pic.twitter.com/7IO4FAOPxW
— Nate Ming: Job Hunter (@NateMing) January 17, 2017
Naoki Urusawa (Monster, 20th Century Boys):
「Dr.スランプ」の新連載が載った少年ジャンプを読んだ時、ああ、この人は漫画を違う次元まで引き上げてくれるだろうなぁ、と思いました。その後それどころではない偉業を成し遂げた、鳥山明さん。
— 浦沢直樹_Naoki Urasawa公式情報 (@urasawa_naoki) March 8, 2024
一度お会いしてゆっくりお話をお聞きしたかった。とても残念です。
心からご冥福をお祈りします。
When I read the first chapter of Dr. Slump in Shonen Jump, I thought, “Wow, this person will take manga to a different level.” Akira Toriyama has since achieved an extraordinary feat.
I wanted to meet you once and listen to your story. It is such a shame.
I sincerely pray for your soul to rest in peace.
Roland Kelts (Scholar):
Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball was the first-ever manga series officially licensed and published outside of Japan in 1992. Here's the crazy story about months of desperate faxes between Planeta's Monte Samon and Shueisha's Chigusa Ogino. https://t.co/GBT5s2iJO9
— Roland Kelts (@rolandkelts) March 8, 2024
Sensha Yoshida (Utsurun Desu)
ドラゴンボールももちろん好きだったけど、「ヘタッピマンガ研究所」をデビュー当時に参考書として愛読してたなぁ…
— 吉田戦車 (@yojizen) March 8, 2024
心から感謝しつつ御冥福をお祈りします。
Of course I liked Dragon Ball, but I also loved reading Toriyama Akira no Hetappi Manga Kenkyuujho as a reference book when I debuted…
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart and pray for your soul to rest in peace.
Shoko Nakawagawa (Alena in Dragon Quest Heroes, Oracle Fish in Dragon Ball)
突然すぎて信じられない
— 🍉中川翔子🍉🐈⬛ (@shoko55mmts) March 8, 2024
鳥山明先生、数々のアニメを生み出し世界中でファンが生まれ自分もその中の一人でした
ドラゴンボールとドラゴンクエストと成長してきた人生でした… pic.twitter.com/9Zk0P1iBJC
It’s so sudden I can’t believe it. Akira Toriyama-sensei created many anime and has fans all over the world, and I was one of them.
I grew up with Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest.
The excitement, characters, and the world created from the lines Akira Toriyama drew is unparalled and I don’t want to believe this world-famous treasure will be lost.
Oracle Fish, Princess Alena, I was given the opportunity to voice them, and I was able to meet [Toriyama] and express my thanks and gratitude to him in person. I can’t hold back my emotions, he’s just too great
His achievements in creating a revolution in the history of manga and anime throughout the world is a treasure to humanity. I believe as long as the earth exists Akira Toriyama’s works will be handed down in human history forever as a pioneer who had a great influence on media around the world.
I am truly sorry to hear of his sudden death.
I sincerely pray for his soul to rest in peace.
Taichi Shimizu (former bodybuilder):
鳥山明先生、ドラゴンボールが私の人生でした。
— 清水 泰地＠Taichi Shimizu (@taichi_shimizu_) March 8, 2024
有難う御座いました。
心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします。
Mr. Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball was my life.
Thank you very much.
I pray that he rests in peace. pic.twitter.com/ohqGyAD5yW
Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk)
なかなか受け止めきれない。
— 井上雄彦 Inoue Takehiko (@inouetake) March 8, 2024
鳥山先生、ありがとうございました。
I just can’t accept it.
Thank you, Toriyama-sensei.
Tetsuya Endo (SPYxFAMILY)
鳥山先生がいなかったらきっと僕は漫画家を目指すこともなかった。
— 遠藤達哉 (@_tatsuyaendo_) March 8, 2024
今でも「読者の立場」というものを考える時、必ず「ドラゴンボールを毎週わくわく楽しみにしている子供の頃の自分」を思い出す。
たくさんの素敵な作品をありがとうございました。
鳥山先生のご冥福を心よりお祈りいたします。
If it weren’t for Toriyama-sensei, I probably wouldn’t have aimed to become a manga author.
Even now, when I think of “the reader’s perspective,” I always think of myself as a child, excitedly looking forward to Dragon Ball every week.
Thank you very much for all your wonderful works.
I sincerely pray you soul will rest in peace Toriyama-sensei.
Yasuyuki Tsurugi (Farming Life in Another World)
鳥山明保存会(ファンクラブ)に入ってました……残念です……。 https://t.co/BVAUqbe23z
— 剣康之@異世界のんびり農家 (@Tsurugi_Y) March 8, 2024
I was a member of the Akira Toriyama Preservation Society (fan club)…How unfortunate…
Yasuhiro Nightow (Trigun)
仕事やるか…。一つでも作り続けるのが影響を受けたものの努め。
— 内藤泰弘/YasuhiroNightow (@nightow) March 8, 2024
I guess I should work… It is the effort of those who have been influenced to continue making at least one thing.
Yoshihiro Watanabe (assistant producer of BEASTARS)
Toriyama-sensei thank you.
— Yoshihiro Watanabe (@crazynabe) March 8, 2024
Yusuke Murata (One-Punch Man)
鳥山先生からしか受け取れないものが沢山ありました。謹んでご冥福をお祈り致します。
— 村田雄介 (@NEBU_KURO) March 8, 2024
There were many things I could only receive from Toriyama-sensei. I humbly pray for your soul to rest in peace.
Yoshiyuki Nishi (Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Super Natural Investigation)
鳥山先生、手塚賞受賞の際は優しいお言葉をいただき、ほんとうにありがとうございました。デザインセンス、キャラ作り、お仕事の全てを心底、尊敬しておりました。心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします。
— 西 義之 (@nishiyoshiyuki) March 8, 2024
Toriyama-sensei, thank you very much for your kind words when I received the Tezuka Prize. I deeply respected his design sense, character creation, and work. I pray for your soul from the bottom of my heart.
Yūgo Kobayashi, the creator of the Aoashi manga, shared a depiction of Goku on Twitter along with a heartfelt message: “Because Dragon Ball existed, I was able to go to school even when it wasn’t fun. You are my hero, you are my Goku. Toriyama-sensei, thank you so much.”
— 【アオアシ】公式／アニメ好評配信中&単行本35集3/29発売！ (@aoashiofficial) March 8, 2024
Renowned manga creator Toriyama passed away on March 1 due to acute subdural hematoma at the age of 68. His family held a private funeral in his honor.
Toriyama made his mark in the manga world with his debut serialized work, “Dr. Slump,” which premiered in 1980. The series not only inspired two television anime adaptations but also spawned multiple films. Following the success of “Dr. Slump,” Toriyama introduced the iconic “Dragon Ball” series, which ran from 1984 to 1995. To this day, “Dragon Ball” continues to influence manga and anime with its numerous sequels and spinoffs. The anime adaptations, including “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z,” and various other sequels and films, are as renowned as the original manga. The series’ protagonist, Goku, has achieved global recognition.
In addition to his work on “Dragon Ball,” Toriyama gained acclaim as the character designer for video games such as “Dragon Quest,” “Chrono Trigger,” and “Blue Dragon.”
Toriyama’s most recent project involved close collaboration with the production of the “Dragon Ball Daima” anime series, the latest addition to the “Dragon Ball” franchise. He is credited for the new anime’s storyline and character designs. Furthermore, his manga “Sand Land” recently served as the inspiration for an anime film adaptation released in Japan in August 2023. An anime series based on “Sand Land” is scheduled for a worldwide debut on March 20, along with a game set to launch on April 26.
