With the year ending I would have done a yearly wrap up of my art but honestly this is the only art piece that truly matters
I lost my best friend and words cannot even describe how much she meant me.
Love you Beep. I will keep your favorite spot warm for when we meet again.
It’s hard to believe, but Itagaki-san…my senior from university and my rival as a creator has passed away.
The last message I ever received from him was,
“Let’s go drinking. Let’s make some noise soon!”
To think that he’s gone at just 58 years old…
Yes, everyone dies eventually …that’s inevitable.
But you… isn’t it a bit too soon?
Didn’t you say you were going to defeat me someday?
Didn’t you come to my wedding, wearing your usual black leather jacket and sunglasses,
and call me your comrade-in-arms?
Didn’t you tell me to come to you whenever I was in trouble?
I never even got the chance to consult you about anything.
Honestly… I’m really depressed.
—Itagaki’s final message (English translation)—
Words I Leave Behind The flame of my life is finally about to go out. If this message has been posted, it means that the time has come. I am no longer in this world. (This final post has been entrusted to someone dear to me.)
My life was a series of battles. And I kept on winning. I know I caused trouble for many along the way. But I followed my convictions and fought to the very end. I have no regrets.
Only one thing weighs on me — I’m deeply sorry to all my fans that I couldn’t bring you a new work. I truly am. That’s just how it is. So it goes.
Tomonobu Itagaki
——-