This photo is of Takamura, which was drawn by Kentaro Miura.

I’m feeling quite sentimental right now.

So, let me share a memory with you.

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 university and 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 one of my drawings and asked him to make it look like this one. I was astonished at the result.

He was so experienced for his age. After a few drawings, I was already intrigued by him. We were still young, and we shared conversations about manga.

I asked him to show me his sketchbook, which I had been curious about, and when I opened it, I was even more astonished and got goosebumps.

There was a fairy, a brand, and a swordsman with a big sword. It later became Puck and Guts from BERSERK.

The thick pencil drawing was overwhelming.

‘What is all of this?’ I asked.

‘It’s all stuff in my head. I’d like to draw again it after I get better.’ He said.

How long had he been working on it?

BERSERK was already 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 with the series, but I was convinced.

He had started a manga that would definitely be popular.

Kentaro had judged himself to be getting stronger, and he had started this series with a full head of steam.

I was sure that the world would be as astonished as I was.

That’s exactly what happened.

It’s a series with superb drawing ability and full-bodied screens.

I have nothing but respect for the energy that goes into each issue.

That’s the end of the story.

I heard that he cared about me during that time.

I’m proud to have met him, too.

I’m sorry for talking out of line, Kentaro-kun.

I’ll come back to read the final installment someday.

Kentaro Miura's assistant posted on Social Media that they'll "do their best", leaving many fans wondering if he is referring to the loss of Miura or if they will be continuing the story of Berserk in the manga in the future:

うん、頑張ります