It’s quite surprising to realize that Akira Toriyama isn’t universally celebrated as one of the greatest mangakas of all time, especially considering the immense impact of his work and the global mourning that would surely follow his loss. But here’s a revelation that might catch you off guard, just as it did for me!
Osamu Tezuka, the brilliant mind behind Astro Boy, is often hailed as the founding father of Shonen manga. His influence is so profound that there’s an award named after him, known as “The Tezuka Award,” which is bestowed upon aspiring manga artists by Shueisha.
This revelation holds significant weight for Toriyama, given that Astro Boy played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic journey. Toriyama himself has acknowledged that Goku’s iconic spiky hair was directly inspired by Astro Boy’s distinctive horn-like hair.
What’s even more remarkable is that such a declaration of succession in the manga industry is a rarity. It’s not often that you witness manga authors openly acknowledging one another as successors, especially when they’re part of the same magazine’s lineup.
Now, shifting gears to the monumental impact of Dragon Ball. Originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1984, Dragon Ball has become nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. Its journey from manga to animated series, movies, and games has grabbed audiences worldwide.
I'm oldtaku enough to remember Osamu Tezuka's death in 1989. I see echoes of it in the response to Akira Toriyama's passing. Tezuka called Toriyama "almost too good," and his "heir apparent." Toriyama wrote, "without Tezuka's work, I don't think I'd have become the artist I am." pic.twitter.com/rZmUN4IRMu
— Matt Alt (@Matt_Alt) March 8, 2024
With five anime series, approximately 21 animated movies, and around 10 video games spanning multiple platforms, from Famicon to PlayStation and Xbox, the Dragon Ball franchise has left an indelible mark on popular culture.
For those unfamiliar with the narrative, Dragon Ball follows the adventures of Goku Son, a young boy living alone in the wilderness.
Everything changes when he encounters Bulma, who is on a quest to find the magical Dragon Balls. These mystical artifacts, when gathered, grant one wish to the one who collects all seven.
Despite Goku initially refusing to part with one of the Dragon Balls, Bulma strikes a deal with him: he can accompany her on her journey in exchange for borrowing the Dragon Ball’s power.
And so, their epic journey begins—a tale of friendship, discovery, and the pursuit of dreams that has resonated with audiences for decades.
