Tribute to Akira Toriyama

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13 Mar 2024

105

Who was Akira Toriyama Sensei

For these past few days, you might have seen this name pops out in regards to his recent demise at the age of 68 due to acute hematoma. To those who do not know or not familiar with the name, Akira Toriyama is the creator of dragon ball anime/manga series. It was one of the saddest day for manga and anime lover around the world. He imparts the world leaving his legacy within us - stories about friendships, overcoming hardships, journey and adventure to betterment, sparking dreams and more.

Young Akira Toriyama in 1982

For some of younger generation, they might not know who this guy is. Millennials and generations older, grow up reading his manga and watching his anime. His manga has further reach beyond Japan, having translated over multiple languages. For those who might not know, he also the creator of Dr.Slump which is mainly only for comedic style manga.

As many other, Toriyama love martial art movies especially the ones involves kung fu (This is how we call it in eastern part of the world :D) aside from Ultraman and Kaiju movies. Godzilla (Gojira) was among it. I figured that he would be proud watching the recent movie made by Japanese studio on the majestic monster.

Godzilla: Minus One - By director Takashi Yamazaki

Why he was an important figure

The reason why I love manga during the time is because I was (maybe still is) interested in art and drawing. There were a lot of kids during that day that was into the same. There was no form of entertainment that we have today. So a pencil and a paper is all we have to amuse ourselves with. I'm sure sensei's work has inspired many to pursue their own dreams in arts and story telling. Fast forward to today, there are a lot of popular anime characters like Ichigo (Bleach), Luffy (One Piece), Gon (Hunter X Hunter), JoJo (Jojo - lol), Saitama (One Punch Man) but way before that, much way before that, there was Goku.

Dragon Ball & Goku

Goku is the main protagonist in his manga and we have witness how he grow from an infant into his adulthood. Akira tells the stories of how he met new friends, journey together to find Dragon Ball which is said can make every wish become true. During his life journey, he become stronger, as his enemies became stronger, in order to save the world. Goku did not have the desire to save the world through out the series, but rather, his desire to protect his loved ones, making Goku is relatable to most boys who read the series. It is worth mentioning that the earlier story arc loosely based on the classic chinese novel "Journey to the West" with Goku, a descendent of fighting/war race out of space resembling Son Wukong as a being with tail resembling monkey's. Together with Goku's signature beam attack "Kame Hame Ha!", Akira's work took over the world of manga with storm. That signature move and tag line known world wide.

There are other characters in the series, like Picollo, Vegeta, Bulma, Kame, Krillin and others, the whole series was made perfect. There was so much joy reading and watching his work. Growing up, watching moving drawings were godsent. I'm not kidding, ask any 80s and 70s kids.

His work continues to influence the life of young generation during the period. Although admittedly this was his profession and work to put food on the table for his family. Little did he know that his creation will spread globally as the No.1 most popular manga in the world. Remember, back then we didn't even have working internet and mobile phones. Manga distribution through physical copies is the only way his work could be known.

Gaming industry has adapted his work and make his manga into games. Aside from anime, his work also inspired movies. Although most of the adaptations are wrong, but movie were made out of his work. That is an achievement on its own.

It is an understatement of how his work has influenced in gaming industry

How his work influence many

Personally, and I have no shame of admitting this. The reason why I was able to read and spell alphabets is because I wanted to understand what was written in his manga. His manga was a lot more interesting than any textbook. Anyone can vouch for that.

Akira Toriyama might not know this, but his creation has created a fanbase who are thankful for everything that he's done for the world of mangaka. Heck I still re-read dragon ball. And I will continue to do so. Part of who I am as any other, is because there was a person who pursue their dream for story telling that connect us all as humanity. May your soul rest in peace Akira Toriyama sensei. You will be missed and thank you for everything.