Actually, I think most people would be hard-pressed to describe the post I published yesterday about Iwata's untimely death (due in some way to the "bile duct growth" he first told the world about last year) as some sort of meditation.
In my defense, I was in shock. It wasn't the kind of horrific, gut-wrenching shock that hits you when someone truly close to you dies (or even nearly dies, as the case may be), but it was shock all the same.
So, I cobbled together a few sentences that let the world--or at least the minuscule segment of it that frequents this blog--that this seemingly kind and gentle business leader (I say "seemingly" because I obviously didn't know the man personally, so all I can go on is the persona he presented to the public) had died and also passed along a couple of his most noteworthy professional accomplishments.
What those sentences failed to convey were many of my own feelings on the matter. Of course, what are you supposed to say when someone you didn't really know passes away?
Yes, I respected him greatly, I thoroughly enjoyed watching him "host" many of the "Nintendo Direct" videos the company he led for the last decade-plus occasionally offered the Internet-enabled masses and poring over the many "Iwata Asks" interviews that allowed him to geek out with fellow game creators has become one of my most-cherished pastimes in recent years, but even then it feels strange to admit that I'm genuinely sad that he's no longer alive.This morning, though, I came across the following farewell message that was penned by Shigesato Itoi, who worked side by side with Iwata to wrap up development of Mother 2 (EarthBound) in 1994, and its tenderness moved to such an extent that I couldn't help but share it here:
No matter the farewell, I think the most appropriate thing to say is “we”ll meet again.” We are friends so we”ll see each other again. There is nothing strange about saying it. Yeah. We’ll meet again.
Even if you didn’t have the chance to put into words how sudden it was going to be, how far you’d be traveling, or how you went much earlier than expected, I know you went wearing your best.
You always put yourself second to others no matter what, helping anyone who needed it whenever they needed it. You were that kind of friend. Although you may have been a little selfish for the first time ever by taking this journey.
The truth is though that I still don’t believe any of it. I feel like I am going to receive a message from you inviting me out to eat at any moment. I wouldn’t mind if you were to ask me like always if I had some free time. Even still, I’d ask you as well.
Still, “we’ll meet again.” It would be great to hear from you whenever and wherever; I’ll being calling to you too. I’ll call if I have something to discuss or I want to tell you a great new idea I’ve had.
We’ll meet again.
Then again, you’re here with me now.
(Note: the text above was translated by kamedani.tumblr.com, while Itoi's original words can be read at 1101.com.)
Leave it to Itoi to pen something that once again moves me to tears with its simplicity and beauty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your words, Bryan. It's definitely a strange sensation, to lose someone who you only knew through quirky videos and thought-provoking interviews. His attention to the fanbase made Nintendo seem so approachable, like it wasn't a company so much as a relative wishing you well? I dunno, I'm still trying to wrap up my thoughts about the whole thing. Itoi's words were probably the most comforting words I've heard during this time, so I'm glad that they moved you too!
ReplyDeleteI share your conflicting emotions about this. It's terrible that he's gone, but do I really have the right to mourn him? I didn't know him personally, and I'll admit I wasn't always happy with the decisions he made. Nevertheless, knowing Iwata is gone does leave me with that same empty, helpless feeling that's normally reserved for someone much closer.
ReplyDeleteI played Kirby: Triple Deluxe last night in remembrance of Mr. Iwata. This... didn't make me feel any better about losing him. :(
This fan made pic I found to be quite appropriate
ReplyDeleteYes, quite appropriate :(
ReplyDeleteJustin: even today, this makes me choke up a bit. It's not even that his words are overly poetic; it's that they're so heartfelt and personal. You can tell the two men were close friends, and that the surviving one deeply misses the lost one already :(
ReplyDeleteYes, I think a big part of why people like us, who didn't really know the man, are sad about his death in part because he seemed so kind and nice and approachable. Also, you could kind of gather that he had a playful side. In other words, he was human--more than just a stuffed shirt/suit. Along with that, he was young and vibrant and had already battled and survived illness. In such cases, it's especially hard to see someone die, I think....
ReplyDeleteWell, at least all of us have each other, right? I mean, even though we're "only" connecting via the Internet, it still helps. Or at least I think it does.
ReplyDeleteAs for playing through Triple Deluxe, I wish I could do the same. Maybe Iwata's passing will prompt me to finally pick it up and play it.
Cancer is such a cruelly persistent disease. You're in remission and you think you've got it licked, only to have it come back for round two.
ReplyDeleteYes :( As so many others have said before me: fuck cancer.
ReplyDeleteI think as humans the feeling of mourning for a strangers passing, strange as it may seem to be on paper, shows how we are all connected as living things even if we forget that in the busy lives we lead. Just my .02 cents.
ReplyDeleteIt actually sounds like something you might read in Earthbound, which makes me feel even more like Earthbound is sort of a slice of life.. it's such a special game and I haven't even gotten all that far.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Ken. And thanks for sharing your two cents :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I thought the same thing as I read Itoi's comments. They're very EarthBound-esque--which I guess should make perfect sense!
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