The news of Akira Toriyama’s passing has reverberated with profound sadness, leaving behind an immense void akin to the loss of a guiding light. His legacy, much like his masterpiece Dragon Ball, has etched itself indelibly into the lives of countless individuals.
Moments like these catch us off guard, challenging our perception of immortality, as we come to realize that even visionaries like Toriyama are finite beings.
For many, Toriyama’s narratives form an intrinsic part of their formative years, weaving laughter, tears, and excitement into the tapestry of their childhoods.
Across the globe, a few cultural phenomena are unifying as the shared experience of attempting to channel the spirit of a Super Saiyan, emulating the legendary Goku. Toriyama’s influence transcends mere fandom, elevating him to the status of a pop culture icon.
Memories that will live on forever.
Thanks again, Akira Toriyama pic.twitter.com/Sk5L2Mb9jX— Olin aka MMAnomaly👊 (@MMAnomaly) March 9, 2024
When Toriyama embarked on his creative journey, anime and manga, particularly outside of Japan, were often relegated to children’s entertainment.
Yet, through the resounding success of Dragon Ball, he shattered these misconceptions, paving the way for a broader recognition of the medium as a legitimate art form capable of resonating with audiences of all ages.
His groundbreaking work served as a catalyst, inspiring a generation of creators and laying the foundation for subsequent masterpieces like Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece and Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto.
Toriyama’s visionary contributions have not only enriched the cultural landscape but also fostered a profound appreciation for the emotional depth and complexity inherent in anime and manga.
Through his artistry, he has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of fans worldwide, ensuring that his legacy endures far beyond his mortal years.
Dragon Ball: The Towering Legacy Shaping the Shonen Genre
Since the 1990s, anyone venturing into the creation of a shonen series has found themselves grappling with the towering legacy of Dragon Ball.
Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto, creators of ‘ONE PIECE’ and ‘NARUTO’, have released statements about the tragic passing of Akira Toriyama.
“The hole is too big. The thought of never seeing you again fills me with sadness. I’ve admired you so much since I was a child.” pic.twitter.com/GDpjl3rWE3
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 8, 2024
Whether overtly or indirectly, Akira Toriyama’s seminal work has cast an indelible influence over the landscape of modern anime and manga, earning him the esteemed title of the genre’s spiritual patriarch in the eyes of many fans.
Toriyama’s adept fusion of humor and grandeur, alongside the introduction of recurring motifs and the concept of characters harnessing their inner energy, laid the groundwork for a revolution within the shonen genre.
While other iconic series such as Fist of the North Star, Saint Seiya, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Captain Tsubasa have made significant contributions to shaping the shonen landscape, the unparalleled popularity and enduring legacy of Toriyama’s Dragon Ball remain unrivaled.
While series like One Piece and Naruto boast intricate worldbuilding and tackle complex themes, setting them apart as more elaborate narratives compared to the straightforward nature of Dragon Ball, Toriyama’s deliberate intention was to capture simplicity and strike directly at the hearts of his audience.
Working with a smile on his face, Toriyama endeavored not only to entertain others but also to nurture the eternal child within himself.
Many fans assert that without the groundbreaking success of Dragon Ball, franchises like One Piece and Naruto may never have come to fruition.
Even the creators themselves, Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto, have openly acknowledged the irreplaceable value of Toriyama’s contributions.
They have hailed Dragon Ball as a milestone within the shonen genre and a profound source of inspiration for their own works, paying homage to Toriyama’s enduring legacy.
Homage from Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto
The news of Akira Toriyama’s passing prompted an outpouring of sympathy and gratitude from countless individuals, including notable figures such as the creators of One Piece and Naruto.
Eiichiro Oda, visibly moved by the loss, expressed profound sorrow and heartfelt appreciation for Toriyama. He reminisced about his deep-seated admiration for Toriyama, dating back to his childhood, and recounted the immense pride he felt upon receiving recognition from the revered mangaka.
Oda lauded Toriyama for revolutionizing the manga landscape, transforming it into a medium capable of transcending age and nationality boundaries.
Despite Toriyama’s monumental influence in the industry, Oda remarked on his approachable and amiable demeanor, further underscoring the impact of his legacy. He extended sincere gratitude to Toriyama, echoing sentiments shared by Masashi Kishimoto.
For Kishimoto, Toriyama’s Dragon Ball held a special place in his heart, becoming an integral part of his life. Inspired by Toriyama’s example, Kishimoto found in him a role model and spiritual guide, shaping his own creative journey. In paying homage to Toriyama, Kishimoto highlighted the profound impact of his mentorship on his personal and professional development.
The admiration and respect that Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto hold for Akira Toriyama have long been evident, with both expressing their reverence for the Dragon Ball creator on multiple occasions.
In an interview featured in the One Piece Artbook Color Walk 1, Oda didn’t hold back in his praise, declaring Toriyama as nothing short of “God.”
“Of course, he’s god! He is in an entirely different dimension. All in all, he’s just too good at drawing!” Oda exclaimed.
Reflecting on his own creative process, Oda revealed the influence Toriyama’s work had on him, particularly in shaping the iconic character of Luffy.
“Manliness. Dragon Ball has already done all the things that a child could possibly be happy about. (laughs) So, I used that as the basis to start from so I didn’t go against it,” Oda explained.
In the midst of the interview, Toriyama himself joined the conversation, leading to a heartfelt exchange of mutual appreciation between the two mangaka.
“Please, be free and do whatever you want to! No matter what you do, I will be happy so long as you keep drawing illustrations, Toriyama sensei. However, I’m sure the editorial staff will say something like ‘Draw a series!'” Oda expressed to Toriyama.
In response, Toriyama urged Oda to continue drawing within the “ultra-mainstream.”
“I would like you to keep drawing in the ‘ultra-mainstream’, Oda kun. There’s nothing else for me to say! My own child also reads One Piece really voraciously, too. So, I also read it… and I really understood why everyone was crazy about One Piece! So, just keep doing your best from now on!!” Toriyama encouraged Oda.
Similarly, in the special volume, Art Collection: Uzumaki, Kishimoto openly acknowledged the profound impact of Toriyama’s creation, Son Goku, on his own artistic journey.
“Son Goku from Dragon Ball is the ultimate Shonen Jump model that made me think ‘THIS is a main character.’ I wanted a character like Goku in my manga. It’s that clear & simple mindset that makes readers feel great. It motivated me too. That’s my image of a hero!” Kishimoto declared.
Through these heartfelt expressions of admiration and gratitude, Oda and Kishimoto have paid tribute to the enduring legacy of Akira Toriyama and his seminal contribution to manga.
