As you all know, today is Miura's birthday, so I thought it would've been nice to share this piece that I did a while ago, along with my thoughts and memories.
I think that remembering him is like experiencing Casca's dream, in some way: your mind goes back to the good times, when waiting and reading a new episode felt exciting every single time. You remember talking to other people about future developments and evey single detail in each panel.
And then you also remember the tragedy, and still ask yourself: "Why him?" Sadly, there's no answer to that. But that's how life is.
I started Berserk ten years ago, when I was 13, but I still remember vividly when I went into a comic book store to buy volume two, because they didn't have the first one. And then I got to volume 37 and I was like: "When's the next one coming?" I didn't know anything about the manga industry, nor Miura's schedule, so what I did was going to that store every single day (and I'm not exaggerating) to see if volume 38 came out. I didn't even ask the people there if there were any news. I knew it would be there, on their shelves, some day. I have to say I envy my younger self.
While waiting for the next volume, I started copying some panels from the manga here and there. I had stopped drawing at a very young age, but when I picked up a pencil again after all those years I didn't even ask myself why I was doing that. I just had to.
His last three volumes are the ones that I experienced episodically, and I feel lucky for that. The memories of seeing Guts finally getting to Skellig, the island's peacefulness and Casca's healing are forever engrained in my mind, and have become my favourite parts in the whole manga.
I don't think I could ever thank him enough for what he did, but doing pieces like this gives me some sense of peace and makes me better understand his work. I hope I can properly express my gratitude one day.
Here's to you, sensei.
(Reference: epispde 349, volume 39)
