Dear Akira Toriyama,

I am sending this letter to the clouds to find you to express my great gratitude and tell you how meaningful you really are with your works. The story you told had a great impact on the lives of millions of other fans and me around the world. Your dedication to your job brought so much joy and enthusiasm to me as I watched your creation. The
unforgettable tale of your characters will live on for generations and the legacy will never die.

You were the father of all anime; your influence changed the Japanese television industry and the art style of future generations of manga artists such as Tite Kubo creator of Bleach, and Masashi Kishimoto creator of Naruto.  The first time I watched Dragon Ball it left me in awe at how amazing it was. The captivating world you created, the amazing heroes and villains, and the awesome adventures, are unlike anything I have ever seen before. Goku and the other characters’ struggles, growth, and triumphs had a profound impact on the way I see right and wrong and who I am as a person. Your story taught me perseverance and the importance of never ever giving up, no matter what the odds against you are.

You had an extraordinary talent that is really something special. The art style of the characters and world is incredible – which I wish I could simulate. The attention to detail on the character models is unmatched. The drawings of the
explosions in battles from Kamehameha waves or the spirit bomb were really remarkable. That old art style will never not be absolutely stunning to me, even with the new computer editing software there will be nothing quite like the craft of your hand-drawn illustrations and storytelling.

Throughout every episode of every Dragon Ball series, you manage to find the perfect amount of seriousness while having the characters crack jokes at good times where it complements the story so well. The story is a big part of what the world sees as Japan’s culture which really shows how big of a deal you are. You could ask almost anyone, and they would at least recognize the name “Dragon Ball”.

I Would love to thank you personally – if it were not for your passing away, but your memory will always live on in the hearts of your fans. Thank you for everything you gave to your story and for providing happiness, laughter, and thoughtful lessons of perseverance to me and the many others who enjoy your work. For the rest of my life, I will always remember to “Tackle life with as much energy as Goku!” I am grateful for your contributions to the world and may you rest in peace in the sky looking down at the world.

Sincerely,
Arturo Valenzuela Waters