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       Akira Toriyama, Creator of ‘Dragon Ball,’ Dies at 68

       His popular manga inspired numerous television, film and video game adaptations, reaching fans far beyond Japan’s borders.

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       Akira Toriyama in 1982. Since he created “Dragon Ball,” in the 1980s, it has spanned 42 volumes, sold millions of copies worldwide and become one of the most famous manga. Credit...Jiji Press/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

       By John Yoon and Kiuko Notoya

       March 8, 2024

       Akira Toriyama, one of Japan’s leading comics authors, whose manga and anime franchise “Dragon Ball” 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. The statement said the cause was acute subdural hematoma, a condition in which blood collects between the skull and brain. It did not say where Mr. Toriyama died.

       Mr. Toriyama’s body of work, which also includes “Dr. Slump” and “Sand Land,” is recognizable far beyond Japan’s borders, having influenced generations of manga artists and cartoonists. The studio said he had several projects in the works at his death.

       His best-known work, “Dragon Ball,” follows a young boy named Son Goku who embarks 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.

       Clockwise from top left: Copies of the “Dragon Ball” manga; a giant poster of its main character, Son Goku; a video game adaptation of the series; a balloon depicting Son Goku at the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Credit...Richard A. Brooks/AFP — Getty Images; Christophe Pettit Tesson/European Pressphoto Agency; Frederic J. Brown/AFP — Getty Images; Carlo Allegri/Reuters

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       Throughout his career, Mr. Toriyama said in a 2013 interview with the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, he did not care if his work did anything besides entertaining its readers. He was, he suggested, unlike “other manga artists concerned about conveying didactic messages.”

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       John Yoon is a Times reporter based in Seoul who covers breaking and trending news. More about John Yoon

       A version of this article appears in print on March 9, 2024, Section B, Page 11 of the New York edition with the headline: Akira Toriyama, 68, Creator Of ‘Dragon Ball’ Franchise . Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

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