Akira Toriyama, whose career was so influential that the word "legendary" is somewhat inadequate to use, has died at the age of 68. Toriyama died of an acute subdural hematoma a week ago, news of which was announced today after a small family funeral.

You have almost certainly seen, played, or read something that Toriyama created or contributed to the creation of in your life. As the creator of Dragon Ball, Toriyama was responsible for one of the most popular, long-lived, and influential anime series of all time and remained involved with the anime until his death, including a new series, Dragon Ball Daimaou, which will air later this year.

Toriyama's legacy also extends to video games. Not content with creating one timeless classic, he went on to design characters for "Chrono Trigger" and "Dragon Quest," and was involved in the production of two more. His designs are woven into both video games and Japanese culture: his iconic Dragon Quest slime can be seen everywhere in Japan.

Given the importance of his work, it is no wonder that as word of his passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from around the world. Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy, Katsuhiro Harada, director of Tekken, Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Smash Bros. and countless other creators have expressed their condolences and issued statements about Toriyama's impact on their lives and works.

Meanwhile, fans have flooded social media with tributes to Toriyama's life and work, and even the government has said a few words about his death. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed his "sincere condolences on this day of mourning," while China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "deepest condolences on the passing of Akira Toriyama, and our sincere sympathies go out to his family."

Despite his enormous respect, Toriyama often portrayed himself in a humorous and self-deprecating light in his own work, always describing himself as a robotic character in a gas mask, a "slacker" who yearned for simple pleasures and a carefree lifestyle, an inveterate procrastinator He described himself as a "slacker" and habitual procrastinator who longs for simple pleasures and a carefree lifestyle. Nonetheless, he remained indefatigably creative to the end. According to his obituary announcement, "He was still in the process of creating some of his works with great enthusiasm. He would also have had much more to accomplish."