2021.05.21

Japan Memorializes the Death of Manga Author Kentaro Miura With Berserk Fan Art and Sad Sentiments on Twitter

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The sad occasion brought manga fans of all kinds together on the internet, to mourn Berserk author Kentaro Miura.

Beloved manga artist and author Kentaro Miura, famous for his series Berserk, died of heart problems on May 6th, 2021, at the age of 54. The death has hit the manga community hard, particularly after a difficult year of COVID-19, where many have been cooped up inside and found particular enjoyment in their favorite manga and anime. After the official announcement of Miura's death from his publishing company, Hakusensha, the internet has been hit with a rush of sad posts from fans, acquaintances mourning the loss, and quite a few tributes to his work.

【三浦建太郎先生　ご逝去の報】
『ベルセルク』の作者である三浦建太郎先生が、2021年5月6日、急性大動脈解離のため、ご逝去されました。三浦先生の画業に最大の敬意と感謝を表しますとともに、心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします。
2021年5月20日　株式会社白泉社　ヤングアニマル編集部 pic.twitter.com/baBBo4J2kL

— ベルセルク公式ツイッター (@berserk_project) May 20, 2021

Many fans initially got the news from the official Twitter account of Berserk, Kentaro Miura's most famous series, and one of the best-selling mangas of all time. The tweet itself was a simple announcement from Berserk's publisher, sharing the simple facts of the author's death, and an accompanying image containing messages from individuals at the publishing company.

新米編集者だった約20年前、仕事でうじうじ悩んでいた私を、建太郎先生は「働け！」とまっすぐに励ましてくださいました。そのおかげで今もこの仕事が続けられています。“存在すべてが男前”な先生、これまでもこれからも、大大大好きです。
ご冥福をお祈り申し上げます。#三浦建太郎 #BerserkForever pic.twitter.com/GTn8OevQYQ

— 𝕜𝕠𝕕𝕠𝕞𝕠𝕖もり (@kodomoe_mori) May 20, 2021

Former acquaintances soon came out of the woodwork to share stories of Kentaro Miura, including Hakusensha editor Ayako Mori. She writes "20 years ago, when I was a novice editor, I was unsure and always worried about the work I was doing. Kentaro-sensei encouraged me in a direct and straightforward way, saying 'get to work!' Thanks to him, I'm still working in this field."

美術準備室の御守りとしてずっと保管されている三浦建太郎先生自ら原型を制作された、ベルセルクのガッツの胸像。ご冥福をお祈りいたします。 pic.twitter.com/xtdXX3AkF8

— 武田美術部 (@takedaartclub) May 20, 2021

And everyday fans shared their sadness as well, like the Twitter account of this high school art club, which has kept a small bust of Berserk protagonist Guts around the art room as a little good luck charm for as long as anyone can remember.

#ベルゼルク #三浦建太郎
ありがとうございます pic.twitter.com/gVbjwmJBN3

— ヨシオカ（days of muscle man代表） (@yoshiokaNP) May 20, 2021

Of course, among the sad posts were tributes to artist, and evidence of the creativity that Kentaro Miura inspired in his fans. Fan art of Berserk characters has flooded Twitter, reminding us all how beloved this series is to so many.

完成させる理由ができました。#ベルセルク #ベルセルクロス #三浦建太郎さん心よりご冥福をお祈りします。 pic.twitter.com/aQJC3o6Lt8

— Ogato_art (@ArtOgato) May 20, 2021

Some art, like this work in progress, is clearly inspired by the detailed, realistic work of Miura himself.

描かずにはいられなかった
ベルセルクは僕の青春です#ベルセルク #三浦建太郎 pic.twitter.com/h9hFvfGfeN

— しんご@イラストレーター (@shingo0467) May 20, 2021

Other tributes have taken the characters in a whole new direction! But all of it shows the love that fans feel for this long-running series, which has been in publication for over 30 years―for some fans, their whole life.

三浦建太郎先生、お疲れ様でした。#ベルセルク #BERSERK pic.twitter.com/eGkoWkL02k

— じょうろ君 (@jouros_works) May 20, 2021

One sentiment was clear: Thank you, Kentaro Miura, for all the work you shared with the world!

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- CHUGOKU
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  The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
- HIROSHIMA
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  Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
- SHIKOKU
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  On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
- KAGAWA
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  Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
- KYUSHU
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  Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
- FUKUOKA
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  Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
- KAGOSHIMA
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  Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
- OKINAWA
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  The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.