George Morikawashared a photo of Miura s tribute drawing of
Hajime no Ippo character Takemura given to him. Miura previously worked with Morikawa as an assistant. Miura s written message in the illustration reads Back in college, I worked with you as a short-term assistant, and I was worried my lack of skill would hold you back. I learned many things, and this is both an apology and a thank you!
Morikawa added his comment on Miura s passing:
I m going to be a bit emotional, but let me reminisce a little bit. When I started my first weekly serialization without even a single assistant, he came to help me. He was 18 and I was 19. We were at some art college, and he came up after a lecture with sketchbook in hand. I didn t know how extensive his drawing skills were, so I showed him some of my work and told him to get as close to this as he could. What he showed me was astounding, and definitely belied his age.