Akira Toriyama, Creator of Dragon Ball and Manga Pioneer, Dies at 68

I don't think it can be understated just how much joy this man brought to the world. Tens of millions of smiling, excited faces, if not hundreds over four (coming close to five) decades.

Whether it was Dragon Ball, character designs for Chrono Trigger and Monster Hunter (and Blue Dragon, which isn't as popular as his other work), or a host of other creations he's either been involved in or influenced, it doesn't matter.

At least three generations were entertained by Toriyama, going way back to the original DB manga and Dr. Slump.

And it was global. Doesn't matter where you are, what language you speak, or what the dominant culture is. His work broke all those barriers. I'm sure some of it was banned in some areas, yet children would always find a way to watch DBZ in the '90s and early 2000s.

Even if you don't like Dragon Ball or any of the other projects he was involved in, his influence on both Western and Eastern animation, manga, manhwa, Western comics, and a fair amount of art and storytelling in general cannot be quantified.

It truly is a loss for the world, and I'll miss him greatly.

I can only hope his work will continue to inspire more people, because that's how he lives on.

Next time on Dragon Ball Z...

Man was a legend. His influence in comics and animation is going to live on all over the globe.