Artists and actors pay tribute to Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama following his death

Following the death of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, several artists and actors have paid tribute to the legendary mangaka.

Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime and manga franchises in the world, with several spin-offs and movies under its belt. Toriyama originally published Dragon Ball in 1985 and has been actively working on the manga for over four decades.

His sudden death on March 1 due to acute subdural hematoma has shocked the entire world. It’s worth mentioning that he was one of the most influential figures in the anime and manga industry, thanks to the global popularity of Dragon Ball.

His work inspired many popular series, even the ones as popular as Naruto and One Piece, which are still known as the Shonon Big Three. Apart from the statements shared by One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda and Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto, several other artists and actors have paid tribute to Akira Toriyama.

Several Artists and actors pay tribute to Akira Toriyama following his death

Toei Animation

Blue Lock creator Yusuke Nomura shared on Twitter/X: “Toriyama-sensei… are you serious? You’re still so young… We pray for the souls.”

In another post, he added: “Now that I think about it, the joy I had when my friends complimented me when I was copying Dragon Ball in elementary school after reading through the old Jump books I had at my grandma’s house may have led me to where I am today as a manga artist.”

Popular actor and director Jackie Chan shared: “Akira Toriyama-sensei, thank you for creating so many classics; they will always be with the world. Farewell.” A Twitter user shared the statement along with an old picture of Jackie Chan and Toriyama.

One Punch Man artist Yusuke Murata shared on Twitter/X: “There were many things that I could only receive from Mr. Toriyama. I humbly pray for your soul to rest in peace.”

In another post, he shared: “Strangely, I don’t feel like he has died at all. That’s probably why he was like a star in the heavens for me even before I was alive.”

Slam Dunk creator Inoue Takehiko shared on Twitter/X: “I just can’t accept it. Thank you, Mr. Toriyama.”

Masako Nozawa, the voice behind Goku, Gohan, and Goten, expressed her shock at the news: “I don’t want to believe it. My head is empty because I don’t want to think about it. Even so, every time I see Goku, I remember what Toriyama Sensei said to me, ‘You will take care of Goku, won’t you?’

“I cherish that moment. It makes me think: ‘I will stay by Goku’s side until my strength runs out completely.’ Sensei, please watch over us from the heavens. We hope you depart in peace.”

Megumi Ishitani, director of a few One Piece and Dragon Ball Super episodes, posted: “I pray that your soul may rest in peace.”

Ryō Horikawa, the voice behind Vegeta, shared: “It was like a bolt out of the blue, and I still can’t believe it. A new development of the work has just begun. From now on, more and more thrilling stories were to be told. It’s too sudden. I’m so sorry. Thank you very much for creating such a wonderful work. Please take a good rest.”

Toyotarou, the author of the spin-off manga Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission and the illustrator of Dragon Ball Super shared: “I drew manga because I wanted to be praised by Toriyama-sensei. It was everything to me.”

Fairy Tail and Eden’s Zero creator Hiro Mashima posted: “Without Toriyama-sensei, I would not have become a manga artist. I am sad.”

DRAGON BALL Z Movies Screenwriter, Takao Koyama shared: “I have too many memories… I don’t understand life. I will pray for the souls. Palms together.”

Pluto and Monster creator, Naoki Urasawa posted: “When I read Shonen Jump with the new serialization of “Dr. Slump,” 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 very disappointing. I sincerely pray for your soul to rest in peace.”

Spy X Family creator Tatsuya Endo posted: “If it weren’t for Toriyama-sensei, I probably wouldn’t have aimed to become a manga artist. Even now, when I think of “the reader’s position,” 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. We sincerely pray for the repose of the soul of Toriyama Sensei.”

In a statement released by Shonen Jump, the publisher of Toriyama’s work, Yuji Horii, the creator of Dragon Quest video game said: “I am still in disbelief at the news of Mr. Toriyama’s death, which was so sudden. I’ve known Toriyama-san since I was a writer for Shonen Jump, and with the recommendation of Toriyama-san, the editor in charge, I decided to ask him to draw the game when I launched Dragon Quest.

“In the 37 years since then, I have been asked to draw countless charming characters, including character designs and monster designs. The history of Dragon Quest is based on Toriyama’s character designs.
Toriyama-san and the late Sugiyama-sensei were friends who worked on Dragon Quest for a long time. That he would die…I don’t know what else to say. I’m really, really disappointed.”