pirateaba,

I found The Wandering Inn in January of 2023, at a very particular time in my life. I had moved to Japan just three weeks prior, still spoke very little of the language, and was generally feeling deeply isolated and uncertain about the future. Because of this, TWI’s nature as an isekai story, a story fundamentally about being displaced impossibly far from the life you knew, resonated with me deeply. When Erin broke down sobbing at the Christmas party, I cried with her. Like her, I built a life in this new place, and over time the homesickness faded into the background of day-to-day life, forgotten in favor of new adventures and connections—but never entirely gone. In 10.06, when Erin asked Asher what home was like for him, it sent me back to that time. When she looked at him, it felt as if I was looking at myself from a year ago. It was almost nostalgic, a kind of synchronized immersion in the story’s message. That got me thinking about TWI’s impact on my life as a whole; thus, this letter.

Erin, Ryoka, and all the others were constant companions in my pocket for seven months. I paced myself, limiting how much I would read in a day, because I knew that despite the story’s immense scale I would eventually catch up, and I didn’t want that chapter of my life to end just yet. I knew that I would forever associate my first year in Japan with The Wandering Inn. And, with the benefit of hindsight, I’m glad for that. I found something magical in your story. It’s a story celebrating bravery, that treasures sanctuary and the fundamental goodness of people, a story about tikkun olam. It has touched my heart in a way few things have or will. Thank you.

Further, I hold a deep respect for you as a creator. The sheer size of the Wandering Inn and the pace at which it expands beggar belief, especially given the level of quality and thought in each chapter. Your work is a monument to dedication and love of the craft and of your characters. This is not an indictment of your decision to reduce your output—the opposite, in fact. I was glad. The friction between an artist and their art is something intimately and painfully familiar to me. That you acknowledged this friction so openly and candidly cut me like a knife, and your commitment to quality over quantity is something I had advocated before and will continue to defend. Your memento mori about writing a will also touched me, especially with Akira Toriyama’s death the following day. Synchronization, again. We never know when our work will begin to outlive us, so I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself.

Like you, I still have so much in my head and heart that I’ve never put to pen—so much higher to climb the twin mountains of art and writing. Reading TWI, it feels as though I’m craning my neck toward the summit of one of those mountains. Your work, meaning both your labor and your creations, is among my greatest inspirations. I didn’t interact with The Wandering Inn’s community at all until I caught up in early August 2023, and at the time I hadn’t drawn anything in months and not seriously written anything in years. Discussing the story with others relit the spark of creation in me and has kindled a bonfire of creative passion that I have never experienced before. Your work drives me to be the best artist I can be, to hone my craft so that I can do justice to the feelings your story inspires in me, to learn to wield pen and brush (or stylus, as the case may be) to the level The Wandering Inn deserves. This story is my muse.

I have made countless friends through this story. I’ve participated in community events, most notably winning (K)Inktober 2023, and hope to eventually help organize many more. I didn’t realize how much I loved so many parts of the story until I talked about them with people. Re-experiencing parts of the story by proxy in #reading-room has been a joy, as has been seeing everyone else’s creative work. I owe so much to my fellow community members for stoking the flames of my passion for TWI. We push each other forward; that’s perhaps the story’s greatest theme. I’ll keep leveling to return the debt.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about getting my first tattoo. Something subtle, maybe on my forearm. A frying pan sounds nice, I think. Do the Horns have a symbol?

Thank you again for everything your story has brought me and so many others. The Wandering Inn has become a part of my life far beyond what I had ever expected. Thank you too for expressing your appreciation for my art—I’m a validation engine at heart. I am so excited for what volume ten will bring, and to see what you’ll do with the extra time starting next month.

May your ink always flow easily.

yootie