One of my favorite video game series of all time is Earthbound or, as it is known in Japan, Mother . This simple 2D RPG has made me cry again and again as it tells stories about children going up against not only evil forces much beyond their understanding, but also a world that is just so big when they are so small. This series is the brainchild of one Shigesato Itoi, a brilliant designer who worked on the series with the late Satoru Iwata.
Itoi is known for his incredibly emotional writing. Now that Iwata has passed, Itoi wrote a farewell to his friend in a way only he could. He recently posted it on his blog, Today’s Darling . I warn you, be prepared to tear up reading this, unless your heart is made of stone or a giant metal pencil.
When I’m parting with a friend, regardless of the circumstances, I find it best to just say, “See you later.” We’ll meet again. After all, we’re friends.
That’s right—nothing unusual about it. I’ll see you later.
You went on a trip far, far away, even though it was planned for many years from now. You wore your best outfit and said “Sorry for the short notice,” though you didn’t say it out loud.
You always put yourself last, after you’d finished helping everyone else. You were so generous as a friend that this trip might be your very first selfish act.
I still can’t grasp what’s happened. It feels like I could still get a light-hearted e-mail asking me out to lunch at any moment—after you’ve made sure lunch wouldn’t disrupt my schedule, of course.
You can invite me out whenever you want. I’ll invite you, too.
So for now, let’s plan on meeting again. You can call me up whenever you like, and I’ll give you a call, too. I still have a lot to talk to you about, and if I come up with any particularly good ideas, I’ll let you know.
So let’s meet again.
No–I suppose we’re already meeting. Right here, right now.
Beautiful…
Fans have once again latched on to the eulogy, specifically the point about how Iwata would always put himself last, to further the theory that Iwata died of Karoshi, or working so hard that he died. While it’s unlikely that his work stress was directly the cause of his death, Iwata was giving his all and even cut his pay in half after the financial failure of the Wii U. It is possible he prioritized his job over his own health.
Either way, he will be missed.
Source: Yomuka