Xbox has once again captured the hearts of anime fans everywhere with its latest tribute to the legendary artist Akira Toriyama.
During a recent free game weekend, the brand had put up Dragon Ball FighterZ in honor of Toriyama, allowing a bunch of players to give the game a shot. But it didn’t stop there. With a recent announcement, it seems it has gone the extra mile to honor the legend.
Xbox Release New Background of Toriyama’s Blue Dragon
The brand has introduced a one-of-a-kind console background for Blue Dragon, a classic RPG title that Toriyama was an artist on.
Developed by Mistwalker and Artoon and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360, Blue Dragon holds a special place in the hearts of gamers for its captivating story.
Honoring a true legend.
We’ve added a new dynamic dashboard background featuring Xbox 360's Blue Dragon, with art and character designs by Akira Toriyama. pic.twitter.com/ZFj20fX2ed
— Xbox (@Xbox) March 29, 2024
Blue Dragon, conceived by Final Fantasy series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and supervised by Sakaguchi himself, marks Mistwalker’s debut title and Sakaguchi’s first project outside of Square Enix.
The game immerses players in a fictional open-world environment, following the journey of five friends—Shu, Jiro, Kluke, Zola, and Marumaro—as they embark on a quest to confront Nene, the malevolent ruler of the Grand Kingdom.
With separate animation and comic adaptations inspired by its rich setting, Blue Dragon offers an unforgettable role-playing experience filled with exploration and turn-based combat.
The latest Xbox background pays homage to Toriyama’s iconic artwork, bringing to life the vibrant characters and enchanting world of Blue Dragon.
Woah!!!! Way to go Xbox! This is awesome. Changing mine today. Blue Dragon was great.
— ZevZero (@ZevZero) March 29, 2024
Fans are thrilled to see their favorite characters grace their screens once again, reigniting nostalgia for the beloved RPG adventure that many played on their Xbox 360.
Toriyama Will Never Be Forgotten
It’s barely been a month since the legend’s passing, but it feels like it’s been ages for many. Toriyama was undeniably a one-of-a-kind person who poured his entire being into his work, determined to create something that would bring joy to many.
He was a pillar of shonen manga, but his legacy touched everyone across the board. Kohei Horikoshi, mangaka of My Hero Academia, recently paid tribute to Toriyama by drawing a cover of All Might looking down at young All for One, which is a callback to an iconic Dragon Ball cover art of Goku similarly staring down Frieza.
Many mangakas penned heartfelt tributes to honor the legend, speaking about how his work had inspired them to start a career in manga.
One Piece mangaka Eiichiro Oda wrote a beautiful memoir, stating, “He showed us a dream, that manga can do so many things, that it can connect you to the world. It was like watching a superhero come to life.”
As creatives and readers alike honor the legend and celebrate his profound impact, the legacy of Akira Toriyama lives on, inspiring a new generation to embark on their own epic journeys.
Did Toriyama impact you in any way? Feel free to share your story in the comments below!
