Yesterday was difficult.. I woke up and read the news, and tried to start my day but grief overtook me and I spent most of it asleep, desperately hoping I would wake up in a different world.
I'm sure you've seen a thousand and one times now, how much Mia Ikumi and her work have been an inspiration to your favourite artists. Tokyo Mew Mew was my own origin in art and magical girls and wholesome, loving girl power. I would, simply put, not be here, nor who I am today without her incredible work.
This piece is not everything I wanted it to be. But I hope it portrays the message that I want it to. That she, whether she knew it or not, has nurtured myself and many others to grow into incredible artists and magical girls and fighters and lovers. That her legacy is each and every one of us and that we will try to make her proud. That we will not rest on our laurels and we will continue to work and improve, to create beautiful artwork, to protect our planet, and to encourage others to do the same.
Mia Ikumi, thank you. This is not the end. For the future of Earth, we will be of service.