Although the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced to many stay at home, it is still vital for certain places and services to be staffed. To show gratitude for essential workers in fields like healthcare, retail, delivery and more, Japanese manga artists have taken to Twitter with the hashtag #GratefulForTheHeroes絵 ("GratefulForTheHeroesPicture").
Inspired by the words of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo thanking essential workers, shoujo manga author Hiura Satoru kicked things off with a tribute to healthcare workers.
今医療に関わって下さっている方々に感謝の気持ちを表してたいなあと思っていたのですが、ベランダで歌うにも音痴だし、漫画家なのでイラストを描いてみました。一応スマホの壁紙サイズになってますが、お好きにお使い下さい。https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkershttps://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/E9cZDh53lm">pic.twitter.com/E9cZDh53lm
— ひうらさとる@ホタルBABY連載中 (@marikosatoru) https://twitter.com/marikosatoru/status/1248409728415236102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2020
In her signature style, Chihayafuru author Suetsugu Yuki thanked delivery staff of all kinds.
ひうらさとる先生(https://twitter.com/marikosatoru?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marikosatoru)の呼びかけに乗り描きました。こんな中でも必要なものを配達してくださる全ての方ありがとうございます!サインレスでいきましょう。一応スマホの壁紙サイズになってます。お好きにお使い下さい!https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkershttps://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/3OUQcsVQr0">pic.twitter.com/3OUQcsVQr0
— 末次由紀ちはやふる44巻5月発売!! (@yuyu2000_0908) https://twitter.com/yuyu2000_0908/status/1248601760890900480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2020
Himekawa Akira, the duo behind many The Legend of Zelda's manga adaptations, commented that considering their regular job, they just had to illustrate the real life heroes of today.
長年戦うヒーローの漫画を何作も依頼を受け数十年描き続けて来た私達はやはり今のヒーローを描ずにはいられませんでした😷
— 姫川 明 Akira Himekawa (@AkiraHimekawa) https://twitter.com/AkiraHimekawa/status/1249999005649522688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2020
医療現場の最前線と我々の生活を支えてくださる人々には感謝しかありません。https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵 https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareHeros?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareHeros https://t.co/MLtvLSajPl">pic.twitter.com/MLtvLSajPl
Kaichou wa Maid-sama!'s Fujiwara Hiro expressed gratitude and support for healthcare workers and all those who make it possible to keep on living.
医療従事者の方をはじめ、生活を支えてくださる全ての皆様に感謝しかない日々です。https://twitter.com/hashtag/thankshealthheroes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#thankshealthheroeshttps://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID__19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID__19 https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%8C%BB%E7%99%82%E5%BE%93%E4%BA%8B%E8%80%85%E3%81%AB%E3%82%A8%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%82%92?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#医療従事者にエールを https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵 https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkers https://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/4FPOclrm8q">pic.twitter.com/4FPOclrm8q
— 藤原ヒロ (@fuji_hiron) https://twitter.com/fuji_hiron/status/1248920206237257729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2020
Medical manga artist Koshino Ryou illustrated a poignant first-person perspective of a worker hoping to protect those who also protected her.
私達も頑張ろう!https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkershttps://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/6zBcYI80oU">pic.twitter.com/6zBcYI80oU
— こしのりょう(こっしー)漫画家 (@koshinoryou) https://twitter.com/koshinoryou/status/1248810368127795201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2020
We Married as a Job's Umino Tsunami thanked all people on the frontlines.
こちらにも参加しました。
— 海野つなみ (@uminotsunami) https://twitter.com/uminotsunami/status/1249476837333282816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020
すべての前線に立っている皆さんへ。
今日もどうかご安全に、気をつけて行ってらっしゃいませ!https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkershttps://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/hB8yHbCmpI">pic.twitter.com/hB8yHbCmpI
Manga artist Nahakara Momota's illustration showed the all too familiar sight of a drug store employee apologizing for a lack of masks. However, in her words as the customer, Nakahara simply thanks her and says that she will visit again, expressing her wish for everyone to consider others, including these worker.
ひうらせんせいが始めてくれた素敵なタグです!
— なかはら・ももた (@momotaNakahara) https://twitter.com/momotaNakahara/status/1249639444631584768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020
日々働く人に無理を言わず、思いやりを持って生きたいです🙌https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkershttps://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/Myv3ZQnTze">pic.twitter.com/Myv3ZQnTze
In a salute to healthcare workers, mystery/shoujo manga artist Noma Miyuki acknowledged the scars and burdens they had to bear.
ひうらさとるさん(https://twitter.com/marikosatoru?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marikosatoru )の呼びかけで描きました。
— 野間美由紀 (@rose_m) https://twitter.com/rose_m/status/1248493402334720000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2020
顔に名誉の負傷を負いつつも戦い続けてくださっている、すべての医療従事者のみなさんに感謝します!https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkershttps://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/DZ28vX9WXe">pic.twitter.com/DZ28vX9WXe
Manga artist Hoshizaki Maki thanked delivery workers, acknowledging their vital role in daily life.
ひうらさとる先生の呼びかけに参加します。
— 星崎真紀@魔法のリノベ全4巻 (@hoshizak) https://twitter.com/hoshizak/status/1249291632131715073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020
心強いパイプライン、生協の配達員さんをエッセンシャルワーカーとして描かせていただきました。
いつも笑顔で食品届けてくださって本当にありがとうございます。感謝を込めて。https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵https://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/2U2BWYx9r9">pic.twitter.com/2U2BWYx9r9
Cheering on healthcare workers, josei manga artist Monden Akiko shared an intense portrait.
ひうらさとるさん(https://twitter.com/marikosatoru?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marikosatoru )に続け〜!⁰医療機関の最前線のみなさまがんばれ〜〜!https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵⁰https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkers⁰https://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/aI5VRxyGF5">pic.twitter.com/aI5VRxyGF5
— もんでんあきこ (@mondenakiko) https://twitter.com/mondenakiko/status/1248525484343738369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2020
Manga artist Nagatsuki Misoka made sure to thank all essential workers in her drawing, including those at the reception.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵 https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkers https://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/ijufRDYoly">pic.twitter.com/ijufRDYoly
— 長月みそか (@misoka09) https://twitter.com/misoka09/status/1248918387427692545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2020
Finally, manga artist Iogi Juichi contributed a heartwarming illustration of a doctor catching up on some well-needed sleep.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/GratefulForTheHeroes%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GratefulForTheHeroes絵 に賛同。参加!https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealthCareWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealthCareWorkers https://twitter.com/hashtag/EssentialWorkers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EssentialWorkers https://t.co/4zkUIjgDXN">pic.twitter.com/4zkUIjgDXN
— 井荻寿一@新作RHGX 配信中!! (@juichiogi) https://twitter.com/juichiogi/status/1248655376699949057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2020
With the tag's creator inviting anyone to participate, not only professionals, but artists of all kinds have shown their gratitude through Twitter. Check out the rest here!