On Monday, Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block took to Facebook to announce a special marathon dedicated to the memory of Akira Toriyama, the renowned creator of the Dragon Ball manga series, who recently passed away. The marathon will feature eight episodes of Dragon Ball Z Kai and will kick off at 2:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday, essentially extending into Sunday.
Dragon Ball Z Kai, known simply as Dragon Ball Kai in Japan, condenses the original Dragon Ball Z anime series, which aired from 1989 to 1996, to adhere more closely to Toriyama’s original manga vision. This rendition boasts digital high-definition remastering, a re-recorded soundtrack, and enhancements such as updated effects or re-animated scenes. The initial run of Dragon Ball Z Kai, spanning from 2009 to 2011, covered the Saiyan Saga to the Android Cell Saga. Following that, from April 2014 to June 2015, the series returned for its second run, known as Dragon Ball Z: The Final Chapters, which delved into the Majin Buu Saga.
The Dragon Ball franchise official Twitter account announced that the well-loved creator of the Dragon Ball series Akira Toriyama has passed away on March 1. He was 68 years old. It was confirmed that his cause of death was due to acute subdural hematoma.
Toriyama’s family held a family funeral and requested that they will not be accepting gifts, offerings, or visits. They also declined interviews as of this time. Toriyama’s design and production studio, Bird Studio, are planning to old a commemorative gathering in the future. No date has been announced.
Recently, Toriyama worked closely in the production of the Dragon Ball Daima anime series by working on the series’ story and character designs. His manga Sand Land had an anime film adaptation that premiered in Japan in August 2022, and will have an anime series scheduled to premiere in March 20. A game will also be released on April 26.
Toriyama is also known for being the character designer of the following games: Chrono Trigger, Dragon Quest, and Blue Dragon.
Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga artist and character designer, widely acclaimed for his significant contributions to the world of manga and anime. Born on April 5, 1955, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Toriyama’s career spans several decades, during which he has created numerous iconic works that have left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Toriyama gained prominence in the manga industry with the serialization of his debut work, Dr. Slump, which ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1980 to 1984. This comedic series, known for its whimsical characters and humorous storytelling, quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase and established Toriyama as a rising talent in the manga world.
However, it was his next project that propelled him to international fame and solidified his legacy. In 1984, Toriyama began serializing Dragon Ball in Weekly Shōnen Jump, a martial arts adventure manga that would go on to become one of the best-selling and most beloved manga series of all time. Dragon Ball follows the adventures of Son Goku and his friends as they embark on epic quests, battle formidable foes, and search for the legendary Dragon Balls. The series, renowned for its dynamic action scenes, imaginative world-building, and engaging characters, has spawned multiple anime adaptations, films, video games, and a global cultural phenomenon.
Toriyama has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the manga and anime industry, including the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award and recognition from fans worldwide.
Source: Toonami Official Facebook Page
