Works of late manga artist that will remain a big draw
Akira Toriyama, who died last week aged 68, was best remembered as the creator of the manga series, Dragon Ball, first launched in 1984. But his prolific work on many other series helped shape the industry forever.
His death was announced by his studio on Friday. Here are seven of the Japanese artist and character designer’s other comics, games and stories that continue to be influential.
Dr Slump (1980)
Toriyama’s breakthrough manga is a charming comedy that showcases his stunning art and delightful sense of humour. Following a young robot who lives in a small village with an array of anthropomorphic animals and the man who built her, this fish-out-of-water story established much of the style and vibe that fans would come to love about Dragon Ball.
Dragon Quest (1986)
Toriyama’s first foray into gaming came with Dragon Quest, which launched a global franchise still going strong today.
His unique eye for character design and creature work was put to great use as he crafted both the human and monster designs as well as the famed box art. Following the hero Roto, the game leaned into the genres that defined Toriyama’s career.
Chrono Trigger (1995)
Toriyama played a part in creating another celebrated franchise when he teamed up with Final Fantasy’s Hironobu Sakaguchi and Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii. This time-travelling adventure RPG became a hit on the Super Nintendo and is still regarded as one of the most important and influential games of its day.
Kajika (1998)
Putting his unique spin on a redemption story, Toriyama introduced readers to the titular young child who was born evil and, after committing a truly terrible act, has to spend the rest of his life becoming good. True to form given it’s a Toriyama story, it’s funny, sweet and steeped in intricate and fantastical lore.
Sand Land (2000)
This Mad Max-style story is set in a world where water is scarce and survivors battle harsh conditions. As a ragtag group head into the desert, they’re unexpectedly forced into a resistance against their cruel king.
Sand Land was recently adapted as a video game and an anime original video animation.
Blue Dragon (2007)
More than 20 years after Dragon Quest, Toriyama returned to gaming with this Japanese role-playing game.
Blue Dragon brought a more traditional turn-based play style found in classic Japanese role-playing games to the Xbox 360. While the game wasn’t a huge success on release, it’s since garnered quite a following and inspired two seasons of an anime of the same name with character designs by Toriyama.
Jaco the Galactic Patrolman (2013)
Toriyama excelled at crafting found family tales and he brought that skill to this shortlived series. It’s an unexpected buddy comedy about a retired scientist whose life is turned upside down by the arrival of a futuristic alien policeman. While this is technically a prequel to the Dragon Ball series and takes place in the same world, it’s different enough to stand-alone as its own creation.