With the sad passing of Dragon Ball Z creator Akira Toriyama, Final Fantasy XIV players have come together across the world to pay tribute to a hero and legend of the anime sphere. Since news of Toriyama’s passing broke, players have gathered outside the Pugilist’s guild in Ul’dah, many dressed as some of the creator’s most beloved characters.
Although best known for creating the foundational world of Dragon Ball Z, Toriyama was also renowned for his work on much-loved RPGs. From his character designs in Chrono Trigger to striking designs in Dragon Quest, Toriyama touched artists and fans within the world of anime, manga, and video games.
It doesn’t matter which server you play on, it’s hard to miss the gathering of players in Ul’dah, decked out in cosplay in homages to the life’s works of Toriyama. There’s no end to the Goku outfits, and hundreds of people donning the Slime Crown and Thug’s Mug glamour items, inspired by Dragon Quest, and rewarded during the Breaking Brick Mountains event last held in 2021.
As they always do in sad times like these, players are utilising the Wanderer’s Campfire minion to light the streets of Ul’dah, and they’re likely to remain in their chosen spot for hours, or even days, in remembrance of Toriyama and all he gave to the world during his life.
It’s not the first time Final Fantasy XIV players have come together in honor of a treasured artist; back in 2021, the community came together after the death of Kentaro Miura, creator of the infamous Manga Berserk. Thousands of Dark Knights on every server lined the streets of Ul’dah in his memory, just as we’re seeing them do today. The community also gathered again for one of their own, Stephen Critchlow, who voiced Count Edmont de Fortemps in the Heavensward expansion.
