The heartwarming message Akira Toriyama left for his children in 1990's video game Chrono Trigger as Japan manga fans pay tribute to the 'true legend' whose 'work will be remembered forever'

Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama has died at the age of 68 to the devastation of manga fans who have unearthed the heartwarming message he left for his children buried in one of his video games.

The sweet nod is found in one of the endings to 1995 role-playing game Chrono Trigger and fans of the 'legend' have revealed it as proof of the emotion and care Mr Toriyama put into his work.

The artist died on March 1 from an acute subdural hematoma - a bleeding near his brain - the Dragon Ball studio revealed the following week.

Dragon Ball was Mr Toriyama's biggest success, first coming out as a comic in 1984 before being converted into a hugely influential anime show at the end of the decade as well as giving rise to spinoff games and other cartoons too.

As Dragon Ball became an international success, the artist worked on other projects including Chrono Trigger where the message to son Sasuke and daughter Kikka is found.

Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama died on March 1, 2024, and his fans have unearthed a heartfelt message he left to his children in one of his works

The message, at the end of Chrono Trigger, reads: 'Heeey! Sasuke! Kikka! Pop's working on games like this! Hey are you guys watching? Isn't this great?'

One fan of the artist wrote: 'Akira Toriyama's heartfelt message to his children in Chrono Trigger is a touching legacy. A hidden gem that adds emotional depth to the game'

At the time of Chrono Trigger's release Sasuke was seven years old while Kikka was just four.

The message at the end of the game, coming from the depiction of Mr Toriyama himself reads: 'Heeey! Sasuke! Kikka! Pop's working on games like this! Hey are you guys watching? Isn't this great?'

Fans of the artist could not help but be moved by the gesture, shared

They wrote on X: 'I pray for the peace of the soul of Akira Toriyama. He is a true legend, and his work will be remembered forever...

'Akira Toriyama's heartfelt message to his children in Chrono Trigger is a touching legacy. A hidden gem that adds emotional depth to the game...

'RIP! He will be remember always...

'Wow that's sad. Really got me. I hope Akira Toriyama's children know just how happy he made the world. He has my gratitude...

'Such a beautiful heart he had.'  

Mr Toriyama was born April 5, 1955 in Nagoya, Japan and began his career sending his work into Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine.

He was first published in 1978 with a comic called Wonder Island, based on an ex-World War II kamikaze pilot stranded in a place called Wonder Island. He released a follow-up titled Wonder Island 2 the next year.

Mr Toriyama enjoyed early success with the manga Dr. Slump, which Weekly Shonen Jump would serialize from 1980-1984.

That story was set in a location called Penguin Village and focused on a female robot and her creator. The breakout success sold more than 35 million copies and would be adapted into an animated TV series from Toei Animation between 1981-1986.

Mr Toriyama was born April 5, 1955 in Nagoya, Japan and began his career sending his work into Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine 

Dragon Ball debuted to huge numbers upon its 1984 debut, selling more than 150 million copies and being adapted into a TV series from 1986-1989. 

Spinoff Dragon Ball Z ran from 1989-1996, and more animated shows from the franchise have hit the air in the decades since. 

Revealing Mr Toriyama's death, the studio said it was their 'deep regret' that he 'still had several works in the middle of creation,' and 'had many more things to achieve'.

The statement added: 'However, he has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. We hope that Akira Toriyama's unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.

'Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years.

The Dragon Ball studio said in a statement on social media that it was their 'deep regret' that he 'still had several works in the middle of creation,' and 'had many more things to achieve'

'We hope that Akira Toriyama's unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.'

The studio said that 'a funeral service was held with his family and very few relatives,' requesting privacy for his family, and for fans to refrain from visiting, sending flowers, gifts or any other offerings.

No decision have been made in regards to a 'commemorative gathering' in Mr Toriyama's memory, the studio said, adding that it will provide further information when it's available.

He is survived by his wife Yoshimi Katō as well as their children.