DragonBall Z creator Akira Toriyama-sensei’s sudden passing took the whole world by surprise.

It was almost a week ago now, pero siguro it's only now that I'm able to process this... grief?

And I didn’t really know why at first.

As a kid, I naturally and so easily suspended my disbelief and dove into the fantasy and magic of the universe he created.

For me, magic was just automatically... real.

And becoming Super Saiyan was attainable if I screamed hard enough.

Ah, to be a kid again.

Akala ko cartoons lang sya like so many things I've watched. Pero why am I having this profound feeling of sadness?

So here I am trying to figure out why.

Growing up in the 90s, Doragon Boru Zetto wasn't just an anime for me; I remember rushing home from school with some nakasupot na food I bought sa carinderia and an ice-cold RC cola (they taste almost like Coke pag malamig na malamig, only cheaper), para sakto sa dubbed version ng GMA.

Also, the Tagalog dubbed version was 1000% better than the original voices, kasi the japanese actor who voiced Goku had such a shrill voice ansakit sa tenga. I seriously wondered how that voice fit the thick-necked Saiyans.

Well okay si Vegeta pwede pa. Hehe fight me.

DBZ was a pivotal part of my childhood, it sparked my love for Anime and fueled my love of learning languages, heck it may have even molded some of my values and aspirations.

Even as an adult now, I still sometimes find myself drawing on the lessons learned from Goku and his friends.

And it’s not any of the epic fights that we always hear about.

Ito yung time na nag-training si Goku sa Hyperbolic Time Chamber before his battle with Cell - who was much stronger than him at the time.

Spending a day in the chamber was equal to spending a year of training in the real world, and this pushed him beyond his limits, transforming into the Full-Power Super Saiyan that was able to maintain the Super Saiyan form without taking a toll on his body.

That training arc, (even if most will say na filler lang sya) was somehow etched in my memory. It was a reminder that perseverance, focus, and the willingness to face challenges head-on can propel us to new heights, even when the odds seem stacked against us.

Goku (who really was Toriyama-sensei in disguise) taught me that real strength lies in resilience, in standing up after every fall, and in the belief that with hard work and determination, no obstacle is insurmountable.

These lessons have been instrumental in my career as an adult, where success often hinges on the ability to adapt, innovate, and stay true to one's goals.

Losing Akira Toriyama felt like losing a part of my childhood, a guide who, through his stories, showed me the power of fighting for your dreams.

"Dragon Ball Z" was more than just entertainment; it was a collection of life lessons hidden within crazy fight scenes and epic planet-breaking battles and heartwarming friendships, and light-hearted jokes, and lots of delicious food.

It taught me about the importance of friendship, the value of sacrifice, and the incredible power that comes from self-belief.

If Goku had all of the seven dragon balls right now, you can bet we know what he’d wish for.

Arigatou Gozaimasu Toriyama-sensei, thanks for the memories nung bata kami, rest in peace.

Shoden

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