A remarkable tribute to the late Akira Toriyama has emerged from Peru, where a group of artists crafted a massive commemorative wall mural in his honor.
The mural showcased on Catsuka, a renowned French animation outlet’s official YouTube channel, stands as a witness to Toriyama’s enduring legacy.
Stretching an impressive six meters in height and spanning over 110 meters (approximately 360 feet) in length, the mural features a vibrant fusion of more than 70 beloved characters from the Dragon Ball universe. From Goku and Gohan to Krillin, Android 18, Piccolo, and beyond, the mural pays homage to Toriyama’s rich creations.
Notably, a meticulously detailed portrait of Toriyama himself graces the wall, immortalizing the artist alongside his iconic characters. Situated at the Estadio Nacional del Metropolitano (National Metropolitan Stadium) in Lima, Peru’s capital city, the mural serves as a monumental tribute to Toriyama’s profound influence.
The brainchild behind this ambitious project is “Peko,” an urban graffiti artist hailing from Peru’s La Victoria district. Peko, a member of the NFS crew renowned for its graffiti-style artwork, conceptualized the idea and extended a public invitation for fellow artists to join.
Over 45 artists from Lima answered the call, collaborating to bring the mural to life. The finished masterpiece spans the entirety of Dragon Ball’s timeline, encompassing characters from every era, including those featured in the current manga installment, Dragon Ball Super.
The passing of Akira Toriyama on March 1 has reverberated deeply throughout the global comic industry, leaving millions of fans mourning the loss of a visionary artist.
Toriyama’s influence extends far beyond his creations, profoundly impacting generations of manga fans and fellow artists alike. In a touching display of respect, Shonen Jump recently published a collection of farewell statements from prominent manga creators, including Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen.
“I am unworthy of any words. May you rest in peace,”
expressed Akutami, reflecting the collective sentiment of grief and gratitude felt across the industry for Toriyama’s immeasurable contributions.
Honoring Akira Toriyama Across Western Entertainment
The legacy of Akira Toriyama continues to be celebrated by major entertainment entities in the Western world.
Archie Comics, known for its iconic characters, paid homage to Dragon Ball’s legendary protagonist by releasing its first-ever crossover illustration featuring Goku alongside Archie himself. This unique collaboration served as a heartfelt tribute to Toriyama’s influential creation.
Meanwhile, Toonami responded to fan requests for a televised tribute by airing a special four-hour marathon of episodes from Dragon Ball Z Kai. The marathon provided fans with an opportunity to reminisce and honor Toriyama’s enduring impact on the anime.
Despite the unexpected loss of Toriyama, Toei Animation remains committed to the future of the Dragon Ball franchise. Production continues on Dragon Ball Daima, the highly anticipated next major installment of the anime series, showcasing the resilience and dedication of the team behind the beloved franchise.
However, fans of the Dragon Ball Super manga series received news of a hiatus following the release of Chapter 103. Both Toriyama and Toyotarou’s manga are currently on hold until further notice, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the continuation of the amazing storyline.
For those seeking to immerse themselves in Toriyama’s iconic world, VIZ Media offers English translations of the Dragon Ball manga collection.
Additionally, Toei Animation’s anime adaptations are readily accessible on streaming platforms such as Hulu and Crunchyroll, allowing fans to experience the epic saga in its animated glory.
As anticipation builds for the premiere of Dragon Ball Daima in the Fall of 2024, fans worldwide eagerly await the next chapter in Toriyama’s legendary legacy.