Rest in peace, Akira Toriyama, you will be missed. This loss is one that I’m going to feel. Akira Toriyama created Dragon Ball, one of the most beloved franchises out there. A franchise I’ve followed for over two decades.

Dragon Ball started life as a retelling of Journey Into the West before having the main character Goku evolve into a light parody of Superman. And then it truly took off and became its own thing. But at its core, it was always about adventure, fighting for what’s right, and always becoming better.

It was with Dragon Ball Z, the sequel to Dragon Ball, that me, and so many others, were introduced to Akira Toriyamas’ work. And as a kid who had problems I’d rather not get into here, it was such a great escape. Not only did it give me that escape, but it also gave me new friends and a lifelong passion for anime. I owe Akira Toriyama a lot. And I guess I just want to say thank you for everything and rest in peace.

He was a passionate and humble man, still perplexed by the success of the juggernaut, of his Dragon Ball franchise.

We got the news this morning from his studio that Akira Toriyama suffered an acute subdural hematoma, a type of bleeding near the brain, last Friday. His family and friends chose to mourn his death privately before letting the wider world know.