ONE PIECE mangaka Oda's words to Toriyama's passing is so beautiful but sad.
I have seen a lot of people posting a computer translation, but it doesn't do it justice. Here is the actual translation:
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It’s just way too early.
The hole he has left is far too great.
I am crushed by an overwhelming sadness when I realize we will never see each other again.
I have admired him so much ever since I was a child.
I remember distinctly when he first called me by my name.
And when he called me and Kishimoto-san his “friends” on that day we were on the way back to our homes,
it brings back very fond memories.
I even remember the exact words we exchanged during our conversations too.
He alone passed the baton from the generation where people thought reading manga would make you stupid to the generation where manga could be enjoyed by all, children and adults alike.
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.
However, his work was not just limited to manga.
The excitement and emotions felt through the Dragon Ball series will forever take root in the youth of the creators of this industry.
His existence is like that of a great tree.
For all the manga artists of my generation, as we got closer to standing on the same stage as him, Toriyama’s work became an even greater presence that we felt deeply. It was almost scary.
But it always made us happy to see him in person with his carefree attitude.
Our love for Toriyama-sensei runs in the blood through our veins.
With the creative world that Toriyama-sensei left behind in this world, I pray from the bottom of heart with respect and gratitude that he rest in peace.
May the Heaven he envisioned be a most joyous place for him.
Eiichiro Oda's message about Akira Toriyama's passing:
It all still feels too sudden.
I feel like a massive hole tore through my heart.
The thought of never seeing you again fills me with so much sadness.
I've admired you so much since I was a child.
I distinctly remember the day you called me by name for the first time.
I remember that day walking home, hanging out with Kishimoto-san, when you called us "friends" for the first time.
And I remember the last conversation we had.
Picking up the relay from an age when reading manga was considered a stupid waste of time, you are among those that forged an era where both adults and children alike could read and enjoy this medium.
Showing me that manga could achieve such things...
you made me dream that I could reach the whole world.
I felt as if I was witnessing a real superhero pushing forward.
Your impact wasn't limited to the manga industry alone.
The childhoods of so many creators from several industries were no doubt rooted in the excitement of reading Dragon Ball weekly.
Your existence is like a great tree whose branches spread into the sky.
To mangaka of our generation like us, standing on the same stage as he did and the closer we got to Toriyama's work, the more I feel we realized just how much of a presence it had on this industry.
It was almost frightening to witness.
And yet at the same time, the man behind it was such an easygoing person. That made me so happy to see.
I feel that, on a genetic level, we all love Toriyama-sensei for who he was.
I would like to offer my deepest respect and gratitude for the vibrant creative world that Toriyama-sensei left behind, and pray from the bottom of my heart that he may rest in peace.
I hope that heaven is just as pleasant as you envisioned it in your manga, sensei.
-Eiichiro Oda
[🔔Long Tweet] Oda's message about Akira Toriyama paassing away. Oda: It is too early.
The hole is too big. Sadness washes over me when I think that I will never see him again.
I have admired him so much since I was a child, so I remember the day he called me by name for the first time. On the way home from the day you used the word "friend" for me and Kishimoto, I remember being overjoyed with Kishimoto. I also remember the last conversation we had.
I was one of those who took the baton from the days when reading manga made you a fool, and he also created an era when both adults and children could enjoy reading manga. He showed us the dream that manga can go worldwide. It was like watching a hero going forward.
For not only mangakas but also creators in various industries, the excitement and emotion of the time of Dragon Ball serialization must have taken root in their childhood.
His existence is like a big tree.
For the manga artists of our generation who stood on the same stage, Toriyama's works became more and more important to me as I got closer to the same stage. I even felt being scary. But I am just happy to see the aloof man himself again. Because we love him on a blood level.
With respect and gratitude for the creative world he has left behind. I pray for his soulful rest in peace.
May heaven be the joyous world he envisioned.
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