Akira Toriyama: Xbox's Saving Grace in Japan's Tough Market

• Akira Toriyama's death and his influential works
• Overview of Toriyama's game, Blue Dragon
• Details on Blue Dragon's development and reception
• The unique character design of Blue Dragon by Toriyama
• The legacy of Blue Dragon and Toriyama's impact

Remembering a Legend: Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama, the creative genius behind the Dragon Ball franchise and character designer for iconic games such as Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest series, has sadly left us at the age of 68.

The gaming community has been expressing condolences and sharing tributes online, with many focusing on his most influential works. However, one game that deserves attention today is 2006’s Blue Dragon.

A Look Back at Blue Dragon

While not as massive as some of Toriyama's other works, Blue Dragon is a testament to his unique style and influence in the industry. It was a key title during the early days of Xbox 360, as Microsoft sought to attract the Japanese audience.

Now, fans are revisiting this classic game, appreciating it not only for its gameplay but also for Toriyama's distinctive character designs.

Blue Dragon's Development and Reception

Blue Dragon was developed by Mistwalker and Artoon and published by Microsoft. The aim was to draw Japanese players to the Xbox 360 and future console generations. The game, however, had a secret weapon: Toriyama’s unique character design.

Despite the game meeting its sales expectations of 200,000 copies sold in its first year, its impact might have been even greater had it not been an Xbox 360 exclusive just a year after the console's launch.

The Legacy of Blue Dragon

Blue Dragon follows a group of children with the power to control shadow-like dragons. While the story and characters are relatively simple compared to some contemporaries, it was a nostalgic nod to the classic RPGs that established Sakaguchi and Toriyama's legacies.

Those who played the game hold it dear, and for a good reason. The characters designed by Toriyama for Blue Dragon evoke the childlike wonder of the early arcs of Dragon Ball, making it a memorable and cherished part of his legacy.

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