07/07/2022
Genuinely, deeply saddened by the tragic loss of creator of Yu-Gi-Oh, Kazuki Takahashi. Simply put, his creation brought together millions of people, many who had no other means of communicating or connecting. His work helped youth who felt they couldn’t fit in or find friends, do just that. The stories that have been shared with me over the years have moved me to tears of joy and gratitude. One story in particular changed me. A young man who never spoke until he discovered Yu-Gi-Oh and wanted to play it so bad, he began speaking so he could play it. He ended up playing it with his two young brothers growing up and made them a quilt when he went off to college with the cast members autographs on it. This was over 15 years ago that he wrote me asking for this gift. Of course I obliged as tears streamed down my face reading his letter to me. I wonder if Kazuki ever knew the impact he had on people, on friendships on learning to have some comfort being an extrovert for those moments of play.
May he rest in peace. Thank you for what you did for people. My son will be very sad when I tell him today.
