https://twitter.com/WANPOWANWANThe photo is of Takamura, contributed by Kentaro Miura.
I'm feeling quite sentimental right now.
Let me tell you a memory.
When I was in trouble because I didn't have any staff for my first weekly series, he came to help me.
He was 18 and I was 19.
He was an art student at a certain university, and he came to me with a sketchbook in his hand after a lecture.
I didn't know how well he could draw, so I showed him my drawing and asked him to make it look like this one.
I was blown away by the result.
He was so out of touch with his age.
After a few drawings, I was already intrigued by him.
We were still young, and we stopped to talk about manga.
I asked to see the sketchbook I had been curious about, and when I opened it, I was even more shocked and got goosebumps.
There was a fairy, a brand, and a swordsman with a big sword. It was the later Puck, Guts.
The thick pencil drawing was overwhelming.
"What the hell is this? I asked.
It's in my head. I'd like to draw it after I get stronger.
How long had he been warming up to it?
There was already a Berserk there.
Months passed, and I started serializing Hajime no Ippo.
Almost at the same time, Berserk was released.
I had heard some stories about the difficulties.
But I was convinced.
George Morikawa
A manga that would be an absolute hit had begun.
It was a series that Kentarou had judged himself to be gaining strength, and had started with a full head of steam.
I was sure that the world would be as astonished as I was.
And so it was.
It's a series with superb drawing ability and full-bodied screens.
I have nothing but respect for your energy every time.
The memories end.
I've heard that he cared about me, though only at that time with him.
I'm proud to have met him and I'm proud of him.
I'm sorry for talking without permission, Kentaro-kun.
I'll come back to read the final installment someday.
I'm sorry for the typos and omissions.
