Akira Toriyama, one of Japan’s leading comics authors who created the manga and anime franchise “Dragon Ball,” which achieved worldwide success with its mix of comedic characters and rousing martial arts battles, died on March 1. He was 68.
His death was confirmed on Friday in a statement by his manga and design production company, Bird Studio, and Capsule Corporation Tokyo, which said that the cause was acute subdural hematoma, when blood collects between the skull and brain. It did not specify where he died.
Mr. Toriyama’s body of work, which also includes “Dr. Slump,” and “Sand Land,” is recognizable far beyond Japan’s borders, influencing generations of manga artists and cartoonists. He had several projects in the works at the time of his death, the studio said.
His best-known work, “Dragon Ball,” follows a young boy named Son Goku embarking on a journey to collect the seven magical orbs that summon a wish-granting dragon. Since its creation in the 1980s, it has spanned 42 volumes, sold millions of copies worldwide and become one of the most famous manga, inspiring television, film and video game adaptations.
Throughout his career, Mr. Toriyama did not care if his work did anything besides entertaining its readers, he said in a 2013 interview with The Asahi Shimbun, suggesting he was unlike “other manga artists concerned about conveying didactic messages.”
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.