One of the most legendary influences in the world of manga, Akira Toriyama recently passed away on the 1st of March, 2024, at the age of 68, due to acute subdural hematoma. Nonetheless, even months before his devastating death, the Mangaka was still as deeply invested in his work as ever, determined to gift fans with a result full of utmost perfection and satisfaction.
In fact, his final project from the fan-favorite universe he created, i.e. Dragon Ball DAIMA had his complete time and attention — even more than he expected — as he made sure to make the anime as iconic as ever for fans to enjoy to the core. And as heartbroken as fans are over Toriyama-sensei’s demise, they are even more in love with the late Mangaka following this revelation.
Akira Toriyama was deeply invested in Dragon Ball DAIMA even in his last few months
Mangaka Akira Toriyama-sensei was announced as the winning recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2024 back in December 2023. However, before he could receive the award in March 2024, he was already taken away from this world.
Still, he did have something to say about winning the award and his upcoming anime series Dragon Ball DAIMA. Claiming he found it “embarrassing” to have earned such honor when “I have never had much interest in anime,” he then shared just how many touches DAIMA has of him.
According to his comment revealed in the award show’s pamphlet (via @SupaChronicles | X):
“Dragon Ball DAIMA, which will be rolled out in 2024, was originally planned to be an original anime series without me, but as I gave advice here and there, I ended up getting deeply involved with the project without realizing it. I was not only involved in the overall storyline, but also in the worldview, character design, mechas, and other aspects. I hope you will enjoy watching the series, which I believe is not only intense and action-packed, but also full of plenty of substance.”
Akira Toriyama's Final Comments from Dec 2023!
Akira Toriyama was announced to have won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2024 on December 14, 2023.
He was supposed to receive the award on stage during the Festival from March 8-11, 2024.However,… pic.twitter.com/mHbkI8GXAv
— SUPER クロニクルス (@SupaChronicles) March 11, 2024
While this further stands as a testament to Toriyama-sensei’s incredible love for his work, what makes it all the more special is the fact that the late Mangaka still did as much as he could even though he wasn’t “very confident about my health,” as he stated in the comment.
Because of all of these reasons, fans just can’t help but commend and appreciate the late Mangaka even more for being so very caring about his fans.
Akira Toriyama’s fans are even more hyped about Dragon Ball DAIMA than ever
Following this revelation about all the hard work Toriyama-sensei did, fans are eagerly awaiting DAIMA now even more than ever before. Expressing how much they appreciate the late Mangaka for all he has done for them, here’s what they’re saying on X:
So show will be canon , this confirms it
— R.I.P Long Live L'A (@lilskrappa365) March 11, 2024
Toei tried to make a DB show that reverts the main character into a child, WITHOUT the original author? How did that that turn out the first time 😅 Im sure Toriyama's influence will be a blessing on Daima, and im glad he got deeply involved again before his passing
— Jantheking (@Jantheking4) March 11, 2024
Watching Daima will hit different now
— Ultra Messi (Fan) (@SuperMessi10i) March 11, 2024
Moving forward with Dragon Ball without him won’t be the same. I’m glad it’s right hand man will be taking care of things. It would be nice to see one of his kids step in if they had interest in taking over.
— john.preston94@yahoo.com (@presto9109) March 11, 2024
This is crazy he went from "I'm just helping here and there" to "IM DESIGNING EVERYTHING AND HELPING WITH THE STORY HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?" Toriyama was a legend! This also gives me really high hopes for the show cause it had a guy not interested much in anime engrossed in it
— DP18 (@InsiderPoke) March 11, 2024
Can’t wait for this 🔥
— DeathBerry999 ☠️🍓 (@DeathBerry999) March 11, 2024
He already knew his health wasn't looking too good…and he had so much more plans for dragon Ball too. Daima is gonna be a massive emotional rollercoaster when it comes out
😢— 💥BiG TarGET🕊️ (@Big_Target07065) March 11, 2024
For what it’s worth, Akira Toriyama sensei has indeed left a remarkable legacy behind — not just through his works, but all his efforts as well, which is why it won’t come as a surprise if DAIMA ends up getting rated the best work of his lifetime!
Dragon Ball Daima, which would commemorate the 40th anniversary of the iconic DB franchise, is set to be released by the fall of 2024.
