The Internet is still in shock after learning that Nintendo President Satoru Iwata died on Saturday after a battle with cancer.
The tributes are pouring in for Iwata, who began his career as the programmer behind Kirby and the Super Smash Bros. series and rose to lead Nintendo from 2002 until his death. Through both good times and bad he was a trusted leader, even when his health declined, and he was the driving force for some of our favorite video games. At one point during a rough patch for the company, he chose to cut his salary in half instead of cutting jobs.
He was roundly respected by others in the industry, and his colleagues and competitors shared their grief on Twitter.
Thank you for everything, Mr. Iwata.
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 13, 2015
Please, I don't understand. #ThankYouIwata
— notch (@notch) July 13, 2015
Sad day for Iwata-san’s family, friends, and gamers everywhere. His passion, creativity & leadership elevated our industry.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 13, 2015
RIP, Mr. Iwata. Thanks for all the incredible fun and inspiration.
— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) July 13, 2015
Nintendo of America pledged to stay silent on all of its media channels in remembrance of Iwata.
In remembrance of Mr. Satoru Iwata, Nintendo will not be posting on our social media channels today. pic.twitter.com/N2kR0OKEXh
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 13, 2015
Since news of Iwata’s death broke Sunday night, fans have issued an outpouring honoring him. They played the video games he made popular and shared his words of wisdom, but they also poured their grief into moving messages and touching fanart. He created their favorite characters, their favorite games. He wasn’t just the president of a powerful company. He was also a gamer. He was one of us.
Rip # SatoruIwata… And Thank you ❤ #Nintendo pic.twitter.com/iiO4HgYQ0L
— Orange Sanguine 🍊 (@Samourhaya) July 13, 2015
I feel Iwata would want us to celebrate his life with the same joy we had playing his games. No tears. pic.twitter.com/ewPpOR9ssu
— buy Manny's on steam! (@Bonesaw577) July 13, 2015
Thank you for all the wonderful memories. pic.twitter.com/7yN4L29UIJ
— Alejandro Argandona (@Toshi_TNE) July 13, 2015
How to be a #gamedev, by Satoru Iwata
— Christer McFunkypants Kaitila (@McFunkypants) July 13, 2015
"Talent… is the power to continue persevering" pic.twitter.com/si2FNKJtWL
— Aaron Greenberg 🙅🏼♂️💚U (@aarongreenberg) July 13, 2015
The most popular type of image? Numerous Nintendo characters, usually programmed to attack or kill each other, coming together in solidarity for the man who helped bring them to life.
Thank you for everything, Mr. Iwata pic.twitter.com/txY1tqgpJs
— Red (@_MasterRED_) July 13, 2015
In memory – Satoru Iwata. #RIPIwata pic.twitter.com/C37qZLaOe6
— Michael Condrey (@MichaelCondrey) July 13, 2015
But the fans weren’t just mourning Iwata. They were thanking him for the joy he helped give him, and soon #ThankYouIwata began to trend on Twitter, often accompanied with fanart.
Goodnight everyone. 😪✌🏼️ Again…#ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/rcAZ4YMyot
— EV (@Alpha_Eevee) July 13, 2015
#ThankYouIwata thanks for being a big part of my childhood pic.twitter.com/8KcCU4HnXd
— sansan (@sanjista) July 13, 2015
"Video games are meant to be just one thing. Fun. Fun for everyone!" – Satoru Iwata #ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/XfeR7iYowA
— E3 (@E3) July 13, 2015
Thank you for all the wonderful memories. pic.twitter.com/7yN4L29UIJ
— Alejandro Argandona (@Toshi_TNE) July 13, 2015
It's so sad to hear he is gone. He genuinely felt like someone we all knew #ThankYouIwata
— 🌏🔎Leigh Alexander 🐬💿✨ (@leighalexander) July 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/MissHBM/status/620472370722009088
Shigesato Itoi, the creator of EarthBound, posted a touching tribute to his friend on his website.
Itoi posted a farewell to his friend #SatoruIwata this morning – translated by Yomuka/Lindsay Nelso pic.twitter.com/AveGqd9ExS
— Yoshi-1up (@Yoshi1up) July 13, 2015
“No matter the farewell, I think the most appropriate thing to say is, ‘We’ll meet again,’” one English translation by Daniel Coniglio reads. “We are friends so we”ll see each other again. There is nothing strange about saying it. Yeah. We’ll meet again.”
A rainbow appeared over Nintendo’s headquarters in Kyoto, Japan early Monday morning. While it’s most likely a coincidence, fans may get some comfort in imagining Iwata on Rainbow Road.
任天堂社長が亡くなられたとのことで
— 某局のラジオ屋さん (@jq3bvb) July 13, 2015
見送るかのように任天堂のそばに虹が出ました
たった数分の出来事でしたが…
心より御冥福をお祈りします。
近鉄十条駅 1番乗り場中程より撮影 pic.twitter.com/IQIStiHItF
https://twitter.com/kaorin1211/status/620519235173789696
Screengrab via Eurogamer/YouTube