Akira Toriyama was one of THE most influential creative figures of the last 50 years. His storytelling, character designs, and world-building shaped not just anime and manga but also movies, television, music, and video games across the globe. When news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from all corners of pop culture.
![A mural of Akira Toriyama [Mayimbú, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/25144550/Mural_de_Dragon_Ball_en_La_Victoria_Lima_19.jpg "Taking a Deep Dive Into the Cultural Impact of Akira Toriyama Through 'Dragon Ball' and 'Doctor Slump' 1")
From manga giants to Hollywood filmmakers, musicians, and game developers, all mourning a man whose work had become part of the cultural fabric. Toriyama never sought fame, but his stories found their way into millions of hearts. His loss is not just the passing of an artist, it is the end of an era.
Revolutionizing anime and manga with Doctor Slump and Dragon Ball
Akira Toriyama first gained recognition with Doctor Slump (1980), a comedic manga about a quirky scientist and his robot daughter, Arale. Its humor and unique art style completely captivated readers, paving the way for his greatest creation, Dragon Ball (1984).
With Dragon Ball, Toriyama redefined the shonen genre. He introduced epic adventure, martial arts action, and a sense of wonder that influenced generations of manga artists. The anime adaptation of Dragon Ball Z in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s took his work to international fame.
Characters like Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo became pop culture icons, their battles setting the standard for action storytelling.
Despite his monumental success, Toriyama remained private, rarely making public appearances. He preferred to let his work speak for itself. He never sought to be a celebrity, yet his creations made him one of the most celebrated artists of all time.
A global footprint that extends beyond anime
Toriyama’s influence did not stop at anime and manga. His work rippled into Western media, shaping animation, film, and video games. The visual language of Dragon Ball can be seen in American cartoons like Teen Titans, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Ben 10.
The Matrix films were also heavily inspired by Dragon Ball Z battles. Even directors like James Gunn and Zack Snyder have openly cited Toriyama’s work as a major influence.
In gaming, his artistic contributions to Dragon Quest helped define the aesthetics of Japanese RPGs, influencing titles like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger (which he also worked on).
Music has also echoed Toriyama’s legacy. Hip-hop artists such as Kanye West, Logic, and Denzel Curry have referenced Dragon Ball in their lyrics, using Goku’s journey as a metaphor for personal growth and resilience. Rock and metal bands have incorporated Dragon Ball Z imagery into their music videos and stage performances. This proved that his work was never confined to just one medium.
![Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball Daima [Toei Animation]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/25144126/MV5BMDYxZDk4NWMtMDdjNS00MDIzLWIwZjQtYjIxNTU3OWVkZGUxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXRyYW5zY29kZS13b3JrZmxvdw%40%40._V1_-1024x576.jpg "Taking a Deep Dive Into the Cultural Impact of Akira Toriyama Through 'Dragon Ball' and 'Doctor Slump' 2")
Dragon Ball Daima serves as a final testament to Akira Toriyama’s boundless creativity, further cementing his legacy in the anime world. Announced before his passing, this new installment will not just be another series debut but a cultural moment, marking the final chapter of a creator whose work shaped millions of childhoods.
His influence continues to shape young artists, writers, and animators today. Losing Toriyama is losing a piece of our shared history. His stories inspired dreams, his art changed industries, and his characters became immortal. Even as the world mourns, his legacy endures.
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