Late ‘Dragon Ball’ Creator Receives 360-Foot Tribute Mural From Over 45 Artists
Video screenshots via Cans in the City and Peru Toy Fair
In Peru, Dragon Ball fans are sharing their Super Saiyan-sized love for the franchise and its creator Akira Toriyama, following his sudden passing on March 1. In his wake, a group of over 45 Peruvian artists teamed up to create a colossal mural stretching 360 feet long.
Standing tall at nearly 20 feet high, the vibrant display is located on the high-traffic spot of Paseo de la Republica Avenue in Lima, right in front of the National Stadium, giving the manga great the attention he deserves. Heading the project was Pedro Carlos Urrutia, a graffiti artist, member of the Cans In The City collective, and Dragon Ball diehard.
El Mural del Bicentenario de la Independecia del Perú es reemplazado por el nuevo Mural en homenaje a Akira Toriyama (mangaka y diseñador japonés, creador de la serie Dragon Ball), en la cuadra 9 del Paseo de la República, frente al Estadio Nacional. pic.twitter.com/E5bvYKhWKF
— Lima Antigua (@limantigua) March 22, 2024
Each participating creative brought their own unique style to the table, resulting in a visually stunning collaborative celebration of the Dragon Ball universe. From the series’ main protagonist, Goku, to iconic villains like Frieza, the mural features over 70 characters, offering a comprehensive visual history.
Notably, Toriyama himself gets a starring role, with a detailed portrait gracing the center of the artwork—a fitting nod to the heart of a global phenomenon.
Dragon Ball, which began as a manga in the 1980s, has transcended borders and languages to become a cornerstone of pop culture. The colorful mural captures this international adoration and the power of Toriyama’s work to unite fans near and far.
View this post on Instagram
[via CBR, Associated Press, Event Hubs, Catsuka, images via various sources]
