Another year goes by since the world lost Akira Toriyama.
Ive been trying to find the right words, but there really arent any that feel big enough.
Dragon Ball wasn't just a show to me. It was an escape. It was light during moments when things felt unbearably dark. There were times in my life when I genuinely didnโt know how things were going to turn out.
Watching Goku get back up no matter what. Watching characters break their limits when everyone else said they would lose. That message stuck with me. It wasnt about being the best or the strongest. It was about how to keep moving forward.
That helped carry me. It helped me grow. It pushed me to advance my passion for animation and art.
Dragon Ball wasnt just entertainment. It shaped my future. It pushed me toward animation, toward comedy, and inspired me to create with my own two hands, the same way Toriyama did.
Its the reason I still animate Dragon Ball characters today and will continue to do so. Itโs the reason I love this community. Itโs the reason I met amazing and talented people.
Toriyama didnt just draw manga. He built a world that raised us. He gave so many kids around the world a reason to push harder, to dream bigger, and to chase something greater than themselves.
There are legendary Mangaka, And then there is Akira Toriyama. He is In a league of his own.
I donโt know if he ever fully understood how many of us were influenced by those pages and episodes. But I hope he somehow knew how much love we have for him, even if he preferred to stay out of the spotlight.
Thank you, Toriyama. Not just for Dragon Ball.
But for the strength you gave us when we didnโt have any left.