Summary
ASuper Smash Bros. Ultimatemodder has paid tribute to Akira Toriyama with an impressive mod that combinesDragon Balland thePokemonfighter Lucario. On March 1,Akira Toriyama passed away at age 68due to an acute subdural hematoma. Besides being the creator ofDragon Ball, his works would influence a number of popular multimedia franchises and anime for years. With him being such an influential figure in the anime and manga landscape, many creators have paid tribute to the late manga creator in various ways.
Some of these tributes include holding vigils or paying their respects in various ways. For example,Sonic the Hedgehogcharacter designer Yasushi Yamaguchi sketched a piece of art that had Sonic and Tails dressed asDragon Ballcharacters. It’s evident that Toriyama’s creations helped shape a lot of fans' interests in many ways. One fan ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatealso paid tribute to Toriyama in a small but meaningful mod of Lucario, the Aura Pokemon fighter.
Thismod was created by Regen07 on GameBanana, who dressed Lucario up in Goku’s Kame-Sennin-Ryu martial arts gi, one of Goku’s iconic outfits. This mod was created in response to a request by fellow GameBanana user DShipps in commemoration and tribute to Akira Toriyama’s legacy. Lucario wearing Goku’s gi is incredibly fitting, seeing as both Lucario and Goku are experienced martial artists who use energy to attack. Lucario’s Aura Sphere is similar toDragon Ball’s iconic Kamehameha techniquein both posing and utilization. In the English dub ofUltimate, Lucario even shares the voice actor asDragon Ball’s Goku, Sean Schemmel.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Lucario Goku Mod by Regen07
Fellow modders ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatepraised the effort that went into the mod, not only for making Goku’s gi fit on Lucario but for the costume to look fitting withinUltimate’s art style and presentation. Many also called the mod a lovelytribute to Akira Toriyama, where it captured the spirit of the character and combined it with a character inspired by the late mangaka’s work. Other users posted their heartfelt thanks to Toriyama and how his works were influential to them.
Players in games likeFinal Fantasy 14,Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, andDragon Quest 10gathered together online to hold tributes and vigils in the late mangaka’s name. Even Xbox paid tribute to Toriyama with a special dynamic background based on a classic JRPG that had characters designed by him,Blue Dragon. It’s evident thatAkira Toriyama’s influenceis widespread, and his legacy will endure even after his death.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
WHERE TO PLAY
Gaming icons clash in the ultimate brawl you can play anytime, anywhere! Smash rivals off the stage as new characters Simon Belmont and King K. Rool join Inkling, Ridley, and every fighter in Super Smash Bros. history. Enjoy enhanced speed and combat at new stages based on the Castlevania series, Super Mario Odyssey, and more!Having trouble choosing a stage? Then select the Stage Morph option to transform one stage into another while battling—a series first! Plus, new echo fighters Dark Samus, Richter Belmont, and Chrom join the battle. Whether you play locally or online, savor the faster combat, new attacks, and new defensive options, like a perfect shield. Jam out to 900 different music compositions and go 1-on-1 with a friend, hold a 4-player free-for-all, kick it up to 8-player battles and more!
