Akira Toriyama: The Dragon Ball creator dies at 68

The manga and culture community is in mourning this Friday. In the early morning, news about Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama’s death was announced.

Akira Toriyama was 68 and was an icon all over the world thanks to the characters he created. For many, his work was a pivotal moment in their childhoods and beyond that, his work created a strong community made of people of all paths of life.

Akira Toriyama dies at 68

Toriyama passed away on 1 March 2024 but his death was only communicated after his funeral. The BBC reports that the ceremony was attended only by close friends and family.

The statement released on the official Dragon Ball website stated:

We are deeply saddened to inform you that Manga creator Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1st due to acute subdural hematoma. He was in age of 68.

The statement also informs fans that they wish for privacy and discretion. They write:

Following his wishes for tranquility, we respectfully inform you that we would not accept flowers, condolences gifts, visiting, offerings and others. Also, we ask you to refrain from conducting interviews with his family.

A gathering to commemorate the man and his work hasn’t been announced yet but the statement promises to communicate about it in due course.

The Dragon Ball success story

The Dragon Ball series started in 1984 when Toriyama was just 29. It follows the now iconic character Son Goku, a sayan who was initially sent to destroy the earth but ends up creating a life on the planet, ultimately becoming somewhat of a protector. The catchphrase ‘Kame Hame Haaa’ is known all over the globe.

The original series ran from 1984 until 1995 and included 42 volumes. However, Dragon Ball Super, also following Son Goku, started in 2015. The Dragon Ball saga is still one of the highest-selling manga of all time and stands as the second-highest seller of last year. The manga has inspired countless artwork since its release.

Dragon Ball was inspired by the kung-fu movies Toriyama watched and loved but it was also inspired by the classic Chinese novel A Journey to the West. A shortened translated version titled Monkey is what is mostly known for English-speaking people. A Journey to the West is often described as an extended account of the pilgrimage of the Tang dynasty Buddhist monk Xuanzang who wanted to get sacred texts. The book includes many elements of Chinese folklore, and mythology as well as tidbits from different religions such as Buddhism.

Before his death, Toriyama was working on the Dragon Ball Super series which now lies unfinished.

What is an acute subdural hematoma?

According to the NHS a subdural hematoma is a ‘serious condition where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain’. They also explain that this condition usually follows a head injury.

There are several symptoms to look out for which include but aren’t limited to:

• ‘a headache that keeps getting worse
• feeling and being sick
• confusion
• feeling drowsy’

The NHS carries on to specify that these symptoms can appear immediately after the head injury but, in certain cases, they can appear in the following days. The healthcare provider advises that people seek immediate medical attention after any head injury.

The causes of a subdural hematoma are, as mentioned above, a head injury, minor or major. They usually appear after ‘a car crash, fall or violent assault’. The way this condition works is by having blood escape ‘from the blood vessel, leading to the formation of a blood clot (haematoma) that places pressure on the brain and damages it.’

Though serious, the NHS asserts that there is possible treatment for subdural hematomas. However, urgency is of the essence. They write that they need to be ‘treated with surgery as soon as possible.’

The NHS also states very clearly that subdural hematomas carry a large risk of death. They also explain that people who survive them subdural hematomas ‘may take a long time to recover’ and/or suffer lasting and permanent ‘physical disabilities and cognitive problems’.

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Sources:

Dragon Ball official website

BBC News: Dragon Ball: Japan manga creator Akira Toriyama dies

NHS - Subdural Hematoma