there was a particular time when i was completely nuts over the anime Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X). It showed regularly on one TV channel, replaying the seasons over time, and i re-watched the entire series a few times that way. i listened to RK songs, i learnt their japanese lyrics (without understanding them, haha), but what i loved the most was collecting RK pictures. i drew some of my own fan art too (but i dont think anyone has ever seen them! heh) and naturally i liked looking at other people's artwork too.

one of the artists i discovered and looked up to the most, because of RK, was `hakubaikou. i think what inspired me the most about her is the enormous dedication she puts into her pictures and how she continued to post RK fanart over the years (unlike me, who can't really maintain a lasting interest in anything for a long time!).

well recently, i started feeling nostalgic and youtubing RK music videos and wanting to watch the series again, and i remembered this artist... i wondered if she would have posted any new RK fan art recently.

so i was devastated when i found out that Hakubaikou passed away in an accident this year.

i'm not sure what the point of this journal entry is, i guess i'm just feeling quite upset. although i never knew the artist personally, it just feels like lightning had struck close to home.

R.I.P. Haku...! (though it's late)