Akira Toriyama, the man behind Dragon Ball - one of the best-selling Japanese manga series of all time - has sadly died aged 68.
Expressing profound sorrow, the Dragon Ball studio said that Toriyama "still had several works in the middle of creation" and "had many more things to achieve."
The official statement further said: "However, he has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. We hope that Akira Toriyama's unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come," per the BBC.
Debuting in 1984, the iconic comic Dragon Ball quickly rose to monumental success, spawning spinoff films, video games, and animated series.
The studio continued, acknowledging the global support that allowed Toriyama to pursue his creative endeavors for over four decades, stating: "Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years."
Toriyama's funeral was held in the presence of his family and a select few relatives, with the studio appealing for privacy and urging fans to refrain from visiting or sending offerings.
Regarding commemorating Toriyama's memory, the studio informed that no decisions had been made yet, promising to provide updates when available.
The studio revealed that Toriyama passed away following complications related to bleeding near his brain.
Dragon Ball, revolving around the adventures of Son Goku in his quest to safeguard the planet, captivated audiences worldwide with its narrative, amazing fight scenes, and dynamic characters like Piccolo, Bulma, and Krillin.
Personally, my favorite is, and always will be, Gohan.
The franchise's influence extended beyond manga, with an anime adaptation by Toei Animation gaining immense popularity internationally.
Toriyama's creative prowess extended to video games, including titles like Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest. Rumors swirled about his involvement in a Dragon Ball Z spinoff named Dragon Ball Daima, focusing on Goku and Vegeta.
Born on April 5, 1955, in Nagoya, Japan, Toriyama began his illustrious career with submissions to Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine. His early works, including Wonder Island and Dr. Slump, laid the foundation for his iconic status in the manga world.
Tributes have flooded in from around the world, as Jackie Chan said on Chinese social media site Weibo: "Akira Toriyama-sensei, thank you for creating so many classics, they will always be with the world, farewell."
Another fan on Twitter wrote: "I'm sure King Kai is waiting for him at the end of Snake Way as we speak. Rest In Peace, Akira Toriyama. Thank you for the magical stories you've given to so many around the world."
Another tribute read: "Rest in peace, Akira Toriyama. Thank you for teaching us to never give up, to always hold on and push through the darkest of times with enthusiasm and a smile. I will never forget what you've done for me, my friends or my family. You changed the world."
Rest in peace to an absolute legend.