While the cause of death for Akira Toriyama was recently announced as acute subdural hematoma, a close friend revealed details about a prior health struggle during an interview.

Tomohide Ohkawa, a member of the comedy duo “Chicken Nanban” and a friend of Toriyama for over 16 years, shared that Toriyama had undergone brain tumor surgery in February 2024.

According to Ohkawa, Toriyama did not own a smartphone or a flip phone, preferring to avoid complicated technology as he felt it would encroach on his private life. Communication with Toriyama was always via email on his computer.

He revealed that Toriyama expressed health concerns in an email last April, mentioning the possibility of hospitalization due to a brain tumor. He was concerned but not overly alarmed as Toriyama seemed in good health at the time.

However, Toriyama’s subsequent email in February 2024, revealed that he was undergoing brain surgery to remove the tumor. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Toriyama reassured Ohkawa that he was perfectly fine, making his sudden passing unexpected.

Moreover, Ohkawa expressed uncertainty about whether Toriyama’s brain tumor and subsequent surgery were directly related to his passing.

Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1, 2024, succumbing to acute subdural hematoma at the age of 68.

Born on April 5, 1955, Akira Toriyama first received widespread recognition for his manga Dr. Slump, for which he won the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shonen manga.

He then went on to create his most famous work Dragon Ball, which became one of the most popular and successful manga in the world, selling 260 million copies worldwide.

Toriyama was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 Tokyo Anime Award Festival. He was also decorated a Chevalier of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to the arts.

Source: Sponichi Annex, Reddit