Toonami Honors DRAGON BALL Creator AKIRA TORIYAMA Before Anime Marathon

Toonami recently aired a heartfelt tribute to Akira Toriyama, the legendary manga and anime creator of Dragon Ball Z, following his death at the age of 68 from an acute subdural hematoma. The late-night programming block dedicated eight episodes of Dragon Ball Z Kai to celebrate Toriyama's impact on the industry. Dragon Ball Z Kai, which premiered in 2009, is a refreshed and remastered version of the original Dragon Ball Z series, designed to honor the 20th anniversary of the anime with upgraded visuals, animation, and re-recorded dialogue. Dragon Ball Z has a significant footprint in the anime and gaming worlds, where its influence continues to be felt.

Dragon Ball Z Kai is a revised version of the original Dragon Ball Z anime that was released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series. It features improved visual and audio quality, as well as re-recorded dialogue, making it a streamlined and updated version of the classic anime. The filler content from the original series is also removed to create a more faithful adaptation of the manga.

Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Z is renowned for not only revolutionizing manga and anime but also for profoundly influencing the gaming industry. It spawned numerous successful video games across multiple platforms, allowing players to experience the epic battles of Goku and the Z fighters in interactive form. The franchise's enduring popularity is evident in its continued expansions, merchandise, and its massive global fanbase. Toriyama's work is a cornerstone of pop culture, both in Japan and worldwide, and his passing marks the end of an era for fans of Dragon Ball and the genre at large.