Last week on March 1, 2024, renowned Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama passed away. Toriyama was a respected figure in Japan, thanks to his phenomenal work, Dragon Ball. However, his contributions to manga do not stop there. Here are four of Toriyama’s most phenomenal works:
- Dr. SlumpAkira Toriyama first found success in the manga world with Dr. Slump in 1980. The manga tells the story of a robot girl so well-crafted that everyone believes she is a real human with superpowers. Dr. Slump proved to be the perfect experiment for the young Toriyama to explore various elements that would later be key in creating the world of Dragon Ball.In Dr. Slump, Toriyama introduced shape-shifting animals, robots, and a futuristic world, which later added a unique touch to Dragon Ball. Toriyama’s first manga, which ran until 1984 and was later adapted into a television series, was described by Publisher’s Weekly in 2005 as groundbreaking.
- Dragon BallDragon Ball first appeared in Weekly Shounen magazine in 1985. The manga chronicles the adventures of Son Goku, a boy with a monkey tail, on his quest to find the dragon balls.
The manga drew inspiration from various sources, including the 1978 comedy film “Drunken Master,” starring Jackie Chan, about a young man learning the “drunken monkey” martial arts from his uncle.Toriyama also imbued his main character with the power of the Monkey King, including the ability to surf the clouds. Dragon Ball was adapted into a 156-episode television series and successfully captivated audiences worldwide, thanks to the involvement of Toei Animation studio. To date, there have been 24 Dragon Ball movies and nearly 50 video games based on characters created by Akira Toriyama.
- Go! Go! AckmanWhile Dragon Ball features thrilling adventures with various challenges, Go Go Ackman revolves around a devil who has just woken up from a 50-year slumber. The manga is filled with humorous stories about Ackman’s antics. Nevertheless, the focus remains on Ackman’s adventures as he collects souls—from those he kills.
- KajikaToriyama excels in creating adventure manga. In Kajika, the story follows a boy named Kajika who possesses special powers. First released in 1998, Kajika is cursed to become a half-fox after killing a fox in a forest. The adventure begins when Kajika seeks to break the curse by saving 1,000 lives.
These works highlight Toriyama’s vast talent and enduring influence in the manga industry.
