The death of Akira Toriyama has prompted heartfelt reactions from the creators of ‘One Piece’ and ‘Naruto’
‘One Piece’ creator reacts to Akira Toriyama’s death
Eiichiro Oda, the mastermind behind the global phenomenon One Piece, expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Akira Toriyama.
In a heartfelt statement, Oda reflected on his personal connection to Toriyama, recalling moments of inspiration and camaraderie.
“It’s too early. The hole is too big. The thought of never seeing you again fills me with sadness,” Oda lamented.
He reminisced about the impact Toriyama had on his life, from childhood admiration to professional admiration, emphasising Toriyama’s role in transforming manga from a niche hobby into a beloved global medium.
Oda’s tribute painted a picture of Toriyama not just as an industry titan, but as a personal hero and friend, whose legacy will continue to inspire.
“The excitement he experienced when he serialised ‘Dragon Ball’ is probably rooted in the childhoods of creators who are active in all industries, not just manga artists. That existence is a great tree. For manga artists of my generation who have stood on the same stage, the closer I got to Toriyama’s works, the more I realised that they had a greater presence.
“Almost scary. But I’m just happy to see the easy-going man himself again. Because we love Toriyama-sensei on a blood level. I would like to express my respect and gratitude to the world of creativity left behind by Professor Toriyama, and pray for his repose in peace. I hope that heaven will be a pleasant world just as you envisioned it.”
Eiichiro Oda
Here’s how ‘Naruto’ creator reacted
Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, shared his emotional turmoil following the news of Toriyama’s death.
Struggling to find words, Kishimoto paid homage to the immense impact Toriyama’s work had on his life.
“Honestly, I don’t know what to write or how to write about something so sudden,” Kishimoto began, acknowledging the indelible mark Dragon Ball left on his childhood and professional ambitions.
He highlighted how Toriyama’s work provided comfort and inspiration, leading him to pursue a career in manga.
Kishimoto’s tribute conveyed the profound sense of loss felt across the manga community, likening Toriyama to a guiding light and a source of boundless creativity and fun.
“I don’t feel like I’ve been able to properly write this sentence that I want to convey to my teacher. Everyone around the world was still looking forward to seeing your work. If Dragon Ball’s one wish really comes true… I’m sorry… Maybe that’s selfish, but it’s sad, sensei.
Thank you, Akira Toriyama-sensei, for all of your enjoyable works over the past 45 years.“And thank you very much for your hard work. We are sure that the remaining family members are still deeply hurt. Please take care of yourself. I pray that Mr. Akira Toriyama rests in peace.”
Masashi Kishimoto
Akira Toriyama dies: What’s the cause of death?
The world lost Akira Toriyama to an acute subdural hematoma on Friday, 1 March 2024, at the age of 68. This devastating news comes as a shock to fans and colleagues, leaving a void in the manga and anime industries.
Despite his ongoing projects and the promise of future creations, Toriyama’s legacy is filled with iconic titles that have shaped the genre for over four decades.
His family and team have expressed their gratitude for the global support Toriyama received throughout his career, while also requesting privacy and respect during this difficult time.
““It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm. Also, he would have many more things to achieve. However, he has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years. We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come,” the statement read.