Following the sudden and tragic death of legendary manga creator Akira Toriyama, the entertainment industry has begun an outpouring of condolences, farewells, and thank you messages to the beloved author.

Shonen Jump received numerous messages from many acclaimed manga artists, creators, and more – they collected some of the most notable creators. We added some more here:

Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii

I am still in a state of disbelief at the very sudden news of Toriyama’s passing. I have known Mr. Toriyama since I was a writer for Shonen Jump, and at the recommendation of my editor, Mr. Torishima, I decided to ask him to draw pictures for the game when we launched Dragon Quest.

In the more than 37 years since then, he has designed the characters, designed the monsters, and drawn so many fascinating characters that I can’t even begin to count them. The history of Dragon Quest has been with Mr. Toriyama’s character designs.

Mr. Toriyama and the late Mr. Sugiyama were longtime friends of mine who worked on Dragon Quest. I can’t believe he is gone…. I don’t know what to say anymore. I am so, so, so sorry.

One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda

It is too early. The hole that has been left is too big.

Sadness washes over me when I think that I will never see him again. I have admired you so much since I was a child. I remember the day he called me by name for the first time. On the way home from the day you used the word “friend” for us. I also remember the day we had a big party with Mr. Kishimoto. I also remember the last conversation we had.

Receiving the baton from the days when reading manga made you a fool. I was one of those who took the baton from the days when reading manga made you a fool, and created an era when both adults and children could enjoy reading manga. He showed me his dream that manga could do such things. He showed us the dream that manga could go to the world. It was like watching a hero going forward.

Not only manga artists, creators who are active in various industries. The excitement and emotion of the time of Dragon Ball serialization must have taken root in their childhood. That existence is a big tree.

For the manga artists of our generation who stood on the same stage, Toriyama’s works became more and more important to us as we got closer to the same stage. It was scary. But I am just happy to see the aloof man himself again. We love him on a blood level. With respect and gratitude for the creative world he left behind, we pray for his soulful rest in peace.

I hope that heaven will be a pleasant world just as you envisioned it.

Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto

I honestly don’t know what to write about this sudden event. But for now, I would like to share my thoughts and feelings that I had hoped that one day Mr. Toriyama would ask me about.

I grew up with his manga, Dr. Slump in the lower grades of elementary school and Dragon Ball in the upper grades, and it was natural for me to have his manga as a part of my life. Even when I was having a bad day, the weekly Dragon Ball made me forget about it. As a country boy with nothing, that was a relief to me. I really enjoyed Dragon Ball too much! I was a college student. Suddenly, Dragon Ball, which had been a part of my life for so many years, came to an end. I felt a tremendous sense of loss and didn’t know what to look forward to.

But at the same time, it was an opportunity for me to truly understand the greatness of the master who created Dragon Ball. I want to create a work like his! I want to be like him! And as I followed in his footsteps to become a manga artist, the sense of loss disappeared. It was because I enjoyed making manga. By following him, I was able to find new enjoyment. Sensei was always my guide. He was my admirer. I may be inconveniencing him, but I am grateful to him. For me, he was truly the God of salvation and the God of comics.

When I first met him, I was too nervous to say a single word. But after meeting him many times at the Tezuka Award judging sessions, I became able to talk with him. I will never forget the slightly embarrassed smile on his face when he and Mr. Oda talked excitedly about how Dragon Ball was fun, as if we were children again competing with each other as Dragon Ball Children.

I just received the news of Sensei’s passing. I feel a tremendous sense of loss, more than when Dragon Ball ended… I still don’t know how to deal with this hole in my heart. I can’t even read Dragon Ball, which I love. I don’t even feel like I can write this message to Sensei properly. Everyone in the world was still looking forward to your work. If I could make one Dragon Ball wish come true… I’m sorry… That may be selfish of me, but I am sad, Sensei.

Akira Toriyama-sensei, thank you for 45 years of many enjoyable works. And thank you for your hard work.

I am sure that the rest of your family members are still deeply saddened by your loss. Please take care of yourself. I pray for the peaceful rest of Mr. Akira Toriyama.

Wing-Man and Shadow Lady creator Masakazu Katsura

Even when I think back on it. When I visited your house, when you came to stay at my house, when we went out for fun, all of them were nothing but happy memories, and every time I called you, I laughed so much that I was exhausted. He was a funny man. He was slovenly, cute, tongue-tied, and humble.

In my day job, cartooning, we did collaborations and stuff, and that was fun, too. But 99% of the time, we never talked about comics. As cartoonists, we were so different in the landscapes we saw and the level of artists that I was never conscious of greatness. I understand that. But I didn’t feel that in the slightest when I was in contact with him. It’s his personality. So rather than a great cartoonist, I still think of him only as a friend.

Last summer, before I had my surgery, he seemed to have heard about it somewhere and e-mailed me. Really – emails are rare, and he was concerned and concerned about my health. We have known each other for 40 years, but I don’t think I have ever received such a kind e-mail from Mr. Toriyama. I thought it was going to snow. He usually only jokes or talks nonsense. I don’t have time to worry about other people. When I called him, I think it was a little before that, I said, “He’s probably going to pass away first, so please hold a farewell party or something, and I’d like you to organize it, with Mr. Toriyama in charge! Also, please give a speech so that I can be a foil!” I promised him, but he didn’t keep his promise.

I don’t know why I didn’t call him after he e-mailed me, and that’s what I regret so much. I am only sorry that we can no longer have long phone calls to talk about trivial things. I have a lot of things I want to talk about. I have all kinds of things to talk about. I would like to talk to you again, even if you have to listen to my ramblings as usual about things that don’t interest you. It’s no good that the last time you responded to my e-mail asking you to contact me again, you wrote a lighthearted OK. It is deeply painful.

Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi

I believe that Mr. Toriyama taught me what professionalism and work are. I respected him from the bottom of my heart. I pray for his soulful rest in peace.

Original Japanese Goku voice actor Masako Nozawa

I don’t want to believe it. My head is empty because I don’t want to think about it. Even so, whenever I met Toriyama-sensei, I remembered the words he said to me, “Please take care of Goku,” and I was able to maintain my feelings, “I’ll be by Goku’s side until the end of my life.” Sensei, please watch over us from the sky. I hope you have a peaceful departure.

Original Japanese Vegeta voice actor Ryo Horikawa

It was like a bolt out of the blue, and I still can’t believe it. A new development of the work has just begun. From now on, more and more thrilling stories were to be told. It’s too sudden. I’m so sorry. Thank you very much for creating such a wonderful work. Please take a good rest.

Original Japanese Piccolo voice actor Toshio Furukawa

When I heard the news of Akira Toriyama’s passing brought by my manager… “After Mako-san, I am now informing Toshio-san”, the first thing that came to my mind was, “How must Mako (Goku voice actor Masako Nozawa) have been feeling?! Goku is even better than Piccolo to me! I last saw him at the preview of [Dragon Ball Super Super Hero] just before the release. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Original Dragon Ball opening theme singer Hironobu Kageyama

I am the one who sings CHALA-HEAD-CHALA! It’s the biggest medal in my life! The loss of the big sun is too much to bear. But the power of Mr. Toriyama’s works will continue to be a strong light and will continue to illuminate people all over the world. Rest in peace.

Countless fans shared condolences online and various tidbits and history from Toriyama’s career, we’ve collected some of the most noteworthy posts here:

Akira Toriyama’s influence on all forms of entertainment is virtually impossible to measure – his work and his various creations have influenced countless other creators and billions of fans across the world.

Rest in peace Toriyama-sensei, you will be missed. 安らかにお休みください。