Everything has its end, one of the most prolific and influential mangakas is solemnly remembered by many within the Japanese industry and fans worldwide.

The official Dragon Ball Twitter account sadly announced the passing of Akira Toriyama, the creator of the beloved manga and anime franchise that inspired so many the world over.

During his illustrious career, Akira Toriyama not only made significant contributions to manga and otaku culture but also inspired generations of Dragon Ball fans the world over.

From children discovering his manga with wide-eyed wonder to adults finding solace and joy in his creations, his legacy transcends borders and ages with Dragon Ball being one of the most if not the most globalized entity to ever come from the land of the rising sun.

Akira Toriyama’s sudden passing on March 1st, at the age of 68 due to a subdural hematoma, saddened many. His unwavering dedication and love for Dragon Ball remained evident as he continued to create with great enthusiasm until his final days.

Akira Toriyama’s impact on the world is undeniable, but his influence on fellow creators during his illustrious 40-year plus career cannot be overstated. Many mangaka, including his apprentice, and game industry creators are grieving with countless painstaking messages being left on Shonen Jump to bid their farewells, thanks and admiration towards Toriyama.

This message is from Yuji Horii, the creator of Dragon Quest, one of the many franchises that Akira Toriyama contributed to by elevating it with his character designs. Toriyama’s work also extended to other legendary franchises like Chrono Trigger.

Yuji Horii’s message reads:

I am filled with disbelief at the sudden news of Mr. Toriyama’s passing.

I’ve known him since my days as a writer for Shonen Jump, and upon the recommendation of our editor Mr. Torijima, I asked him to create the game art for Dragon Quest when we started the project.

For over 37 years since then, he has drawn countless charming characters, including character designs and monster designs. The history of Dragon Quest is intertwined with Mr. Toriyama’s character designs.

Mr. Toriyama and the late Mr. Sugiyama were long-time companions in creating Dragon Quest. I can’t believe they’re gone… There are no words to express how I feel. Truly, truly, I am deeply saddened.

This next message is from Masakazu Katsura, a mangaka known for his work on Wing-Man, DNA², ZET-MAN, and Tiger & Bunny as a character designer.

I feel drained of strength and lack the energy to express myself. I really don’t want to comment on something like this. But, I’ll write something. Once I start, I’ll have so much to say, it might turn into a messy, lengthy text, but I’ll try to keep it as concise as possible. However, my thoughts are all over the place, so please forgive the jumbled writing.

Looking back, whenever I visited your home, when you stayed over at mine, when we went out together, all I have are joyful memories. Every time I called, we laughed so much it was exhausting. You were such an amusing person. Playful, cute, sharp-tongued, yet humble.

In our professional work in manga, we collaborated occasionally, which was enjoyable. But, our relationship was never about manga; we never really discussed manga-related matters, maybe only about 1% of the time. As a manga artist, the landscape we both observed, the level of our craft, they were too different for me to ever perceive your greatness. I understand that now. But when I was with you, I never felt any of that. It was your personality. That’s why, more than a great manga artist, I can only think of you as a friend.

Last summer, before my surgery, you must have heard about it somewhere, and you sent me an email. It was really unusual to receive an email from you, and the content showed genuine concern for my health. We’ve known each other for 40 years, but it was the first time you were so kind to me. I thought it might snow. Usually, you’d just joke around or talk nonsense. What’s with worrying about others, seriously? It’s not like you at all.

Sometime before that, when I called you, I was feeling quite unwell at the time, and I said, “I might go first, so please organize a farewell party, with you in charge! And please make a speech to add some shine!” But you didn’t keep your promise.

I regret deeply why I didn’t call you after receiving your email. It’s so disappointing that we can’t have our usual long phone chats about nonsense. There are so many things I want to talk about. I have various stories to share. Even if you’re not interested, you could just listen absentmindedly like you always did. I want to talk to you once more. It hurts so much that your last response to my email asking to keep in touch was just a casual “OK.”

The next message comes from Eiichiro Oda, another mangaka whom you may know for his work on a little series called One Piece.

It’s just too soon. The void left behind is too vast.

The sadness rushes in when I think we’ll never meet again. Since childhood, I’ve admired you so much. I remember the day I was first called by name. The day we used the word “friends” on our way home with Kishimoto-san, and the day we celebrated wildly are all dear memories. I also remember our last conversation.

From the era when reading manga was considered foolish, you took the baton and created an era where both adults and children enjoy reading manga. You showed us that manga can do this, can take us to different worlds, and let us dream. It felt like watching a hero charging forward.

Not just for manga artists, but for all creators who grew up during the Dragon Ball serialization, the excitement and inspiration from those times are deeply rooted. Your presence is like a towering tree.

For manga artists of our generation who stood on the same stage, we realized that the closer we got to Toriyama’s works, the larger their significance became. Almost frighteningly so. But still, just meeting the laid-back person behind it all brings joy. Because we love Toriyama-sensei to our core.

With respect and gratitude for the imaginative world left behind by Toriyama-sensei, I sincerely pray for your peaceful rest.

May heaven be the delightful world you envisioned, sensei.

The last message is from Masashi Kishimoto, the mastermind behind Naruto.

I honestly don’t know what to write in such a sudden moment. But right now, I feel compelled to convey what I’ve always wanted to ask Mr. Toriyama, my thoughts.

From early elementary school with Dr. Slump to later years with Dragon Ball, your manga has been a part of my life. Having your manga next to me was natural, even during tough times, Dragon Ball every week made me forget them. It was a lifeline for a rural boy like me. It was just too enjoyable!

When I was in college, suddenly, the Dragon Ball that had been a part of my life for so long ended. I was overwhelmed with an immense sense of loss and didn’t know what to look forward to anymore. But at the same time, it was an opportunity to truly understand the greatness of the person who created Dragon Ball. I wanted to create works like yours! I wanted to be like you! As I pursued my dream of becoming a manga artist, that sense of loss gradually faded away. It was because making manga was enjoyable. Following your footsteps led me to discover new joys. You have always been my guiding star. I idolized you. Although it might have been a nuisance to you, I’m grateful in my own way. You were truly a godsend to me, a god of manga.

When I first met you, I was too nervous to speak a word. But as we met multiple times at the Tezuka Awards judging panel, I gradually became able to talk to you. I’ll never forget the slightly embarrassed smile on your face when Oda-san and I, both Dragon Ball children, competed to enthusiastically talk about how great Dragon Ball was.

I just received the news of your passing. I’m overwhelmed with an immense sense of loss, even greater than when Dragon Ball ended… I still don’t know how to deal with this hole in my heart. I can’t even read my beloved Dragon Ball now. I don’t feel like I can properly write this message I want to convey to you. People all over the world were still looking forward to your works. If there’s truly one wish from Dragon Ball that could come true… I’m sorry… It might be selfish, but I’m sad, sensei.

Thank you, Mr. Akira Toriyama, for creating so many enjoyable works for 45 years. And truly, thank you for everything.

To the remaining family, I know you must be deeply grieving right now. Please take care of yourselves. I pray for Mr. Akira Toriyama’s peaceful rest.

Akira Toriyama’s influence reached far beyond borders, and his creation, Dragon Ball, captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Thanks to his efforts, the West embraced anime / manga like never before, sparking an infatuation with Japanese media entertainment in many of us.

However, with this shocking event affecting millions worldwide, some have seized the opportunity to seek engagement and gain attention on social media by tarnishing his name and legacy.

One of those very individuals was Sweet Baby Inc’s own Chris Kindred, the very man responsible for inciting a lynch mob against a lone Latin American for his Steam curator group that lists games on the storefront platform that received consultations via Sweet Baby Inc.

Since that entire ordeal which has since snowballed into what’s quickly becoming a second Gamergate, after burning his and his companies entire reputation to the ground, had set their Twitter account to protected, only to come out of hiding to pay his “respects” to Akira Toriyama’s legacy by trying to make his death about racism.

I’d like to take a brief moment to reflect. Even Akira Toriyama’s “worst” character undoubtedly surpasses the best character created by Chris Kindred or any of the other anti-White zealots at Sweet Baby Inc.

His name and legacy will endure forever, etched in memory for years to come. In contrast, when the gaming industry faces its impending crisis, these individuals will either fade into obscurity or serve as a reminder to gatekeep against parasitic invaders.

Chris is likely referring to Mr. Popo, a character from Dragon Ball who is a genie-like being and serves as the attendant and caretaker of Kami, the Guardian of Earth. Unfortunately, some individuals have criticized Mr. Popo for racial reasons, claiming that his dark black appearance and prominent red lips resemble blackface, which has led to controversy and ridicule from sensitive tourists.

Although the Dragon Ball Z franchise is immensely popular worldwide, surpassing even its home nation of Japan and the West, its appeal transcends boundaries of race, ethnicity, and color. It is embraced by people of all backgrounds, including Latinos and Black individuals, making it an iconic staple in global entertainment.

So it doesn’t come as any surprise in my eyes that progressive cancers such as Chris Kindred of Sweet Baby Inc are taking the opportunity to take the sad and sudden deaths of one of the industries greatest into a debate about race and racism, stating that Akira Toriyama created some of the best (and worst) Black characters in anime of all time.

As you’d expect, they quickly set their account back to protected to avoid continued scrutiny after arbitrarily propelling his employer, Sweet Baby Inc to the center of discussion amongst the entire gaming industry.

Laying the groundwork for Gamergate 2 as a whole with mainstream media outlets once again asserting that they’re colluding with one another by printing out defensive articles in favor of Sweet Baby Inc, slandering objectors as conspiracy theorists or racist.

Regardless of your own personal preferences towards his work, it’s undeniable that Akira Toriyama’s contributions were monumental to the world. Without him, it’s doubtful that anime would have gained the worldwide popularity it enjoys today.

He will be deeply missed.