#her story is mainly based on the animated series but I can't draw so I needed an FC

[juliaswickcrs]

character profile: princess mira of the fire nation (x)

Born in the great city of Caldera only a year after the birth of Prince Zuko, Princess Mira's birth has oft been a subject of debate for the fire sages. For neither General Iroh nor her mother were seen on the supposed day of her birth, leading many to speculate how exactly the Princess came about. General Iroh would claim she was the product of an affair in the earth kingdom colonies, a brief infatuation which led to an even briefer marriage, before the woman died giving birth to the future princess. But many speculated something far more sinister as whispers of bastardy and imprisoned water benders were carelessly tossed about the capital. That was all thrown aside when Fire Lord Azulon all but declared Mira the spare to Lu Ten's heir, and no other word was spoken on the matter. And of course once the world learned Mira struggled with bending as much as the prince, no one paid her any attention, certainly not her Uncle Ozai or her new cousins. And of course, after the death of her brother and the disappearance of her aunt, Mira watched as her father abdicated his crown, abandoned Ba Sing Se, and whisked her north to an island filled with a civilization long thought to have died out. The Sun Warriors. It was there Mira learned the truth of her bending, and how to master it. It was there Mira grew from a scared girl to a formidable warrior, her skill in battle only matched by her wit and grace. It was there she and her father were summoned back to the mainland for a war meeting which would change the course of Mira's life as she knew it. Her newly crowned Uncle dismisses her as neither bender nor warrior, simply a princess with no talent to offer, but lets her sit in out of love for his brother, he says. But there is no love in his eyes when his son speaks out against a general, or when Mira watches in horror as Fire Lord Ozai presses a burning flame to Zuko's face, scarring him at thirteen. Now, she and her father have joined Zuko on his hunt for the avatar, and while Mira's travels take her from pole to pole, she is left to wonder just how long it will be before her Uncle turns on her too....

tag list: @bisexualterror @foxesandmagic @iron-parkr​ @jvstjewels@camiemendess@a-song-of-quill-and-feather @arrthurpendragon @villain-connoisseur​ @starcrossedjedis @drbobbimorse​ @noratilney​ @stanshollaand @kingsmakers @astarionbae​ @darth-caillic @mystic-scripture @aliverse @misshiraethsworld @asirensrage @eddiemunscns

[massivemochi]

Looking Back on Nijiyon Animation With Manga Artist Miyakohito and Director Yuya Horiuchi!

(This article was published in Love Live! Days January 2024 Extra Issue Love Live! Days Nijigasaki SPECIAL 2023, released November 21, 2023)

Looking Back on Nijiyon Animation With Manga Artist Miyakohito and Director Yuya Horiuchi!

Nijiyon Animation is a slice-of-life short animation series that aired in January 2023. Let's take a look back at this show depicting the day-to-day lives of the Nijigaku members, along with commentary from the staff involved in its production♪

Question for Manga Artist Miyakohito! Q. What did you focus on when creating the story?

Question for Director Yuya Horiuchi! Q. What did you focus on regarding the direction?

Episode 1: "The Nijigasaki High School Idol Club"

Yu arrives at the School Idol Club with a video camera. She films their snack time to introduce their everyday lives to their fans. When the camera is finally turned on her as "the one thing in the club that can't be left out," she boldly states, "I'll be the one to make all of you happy!" She's then confronted with the question of who her number one is.

Miyakohito's Comment: Throughout this series, it was a new experience for me to think about how to present it not only as a manga but also as an animation. It starts from a first-person perspective because Yu-chan's existence was born from "you."

(TL Note: "You" refers to the player character from Love Live! School Idol Festival All Stars)

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: All of the storyboards for Nijiyon Animation were based on Miyakohito-san's manga, but we expanded the parts of the story that weren't long enough during the storyboarding process. Because of this, I felt like I had to do my best to make the show more appealing in those parts.

Episode 2: "Lanzhu, Ai, and Cuteness"

Lanzhu and Ai have a cuteness contest with Mia, Shioriko, and Emma as the judges. They try the cute poses they learned from Kasumi, but they can't seem to get them right. Mia and Shioriko, the harsh judges, give accurate scores, but Emma's overly sweet evaluations keep skyrocketing, eventually exceeding a "kazillion"…!?

Miyakohito's Comment: The various animation techniques used make it really enjoyable to watch. Their calculated cuteness is nice too, but the 2 girls getting flustered and showing their true selves is worth 100 kazillion points.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: Episode 1 was mainly about introducing the members, so Episode 2, with Lanzhu and Ai's cuteness, Lanzhu pressuring Shioriko, Kasumi getting carried away, and Emma's sweet scoring that knows no bounds, is one with the Nijiyon style on full display.

Episode 3: "Mia, Ayumu, and Horror"

The club members watch a scary movie together. Mia falls asleep and gets lost in a dark school building in her dream. Rina-chan Boards are pasted all over the walls, and Ayumu's hair bun falls off and starts saying, "Let's play…"!? When Mia wakes up, she's still afraid of Ayumu, unable to shake off the lingering memory of her nightmare.

Miyakohito's Comment: I didn't realize how much funnier the second half would be as a horror when it's animated…! I mean, the production was so over the top I laughed.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: Since I like horror, I made them create an unconventional work (laughs). Mia's cheeky attitude adds a nice bit of character. By the way, I call that round part of Ayumu the "Ayumu Orb." I'd like to make something similar for the other members to replace the Ayumu Orb—in other words, I want to make more horror episodes.

Episode 4: "Karin, Shioriko, and Futures"

Karin came from her home island to become a model. She shares her childhood memories as a troublemaker living on the island with Shioriko, who says she wants to use her story to help the students. However, she looks a little sad, saying she left because she wanted to be a cool older girl who lives in the city. Shioriko then tells her her dream has come true.

Miyakohito's Comment: I had the pleasure of drawing the first appearance of little Karin-chan. The content also goes a step deeper this time. In the manga version, which you can read as an included bonus in the Nijiyon Animation Blu-ray, you can see the students in the last part.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: It seems Karin has loved pandas since she was little. I thought the visuals of her in her childhood looked boyish and the contrast between then and now was cute. I was a little obsessive about the squishy texture at the beginning.

Episode 5: "Emma, Mia, and Songs"

Mia hears Emma's singing voice and encourages her to become a singer. She dreams of making the songs herself and recording them in New York City, but Emma tells her she hasn't thought that far ahead. She says she wants to gently be there for people, just like the school idol songs that gave her courage in the past….

Miyakohito's Comment: Mia came to Japan to achieve results while hiding what she truly wants to do, whereas Emma came to Japan to do what she truly wants to do. I'm certain Emma's singing voice makes Mia's heart feel warm and fuzzy.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: I hadn't seen Emma and Mia talk much, so I thought it'd be a nice change of pace. Emma's bashful "What?" is my favorite part because it's adorable. I thought it might be hard to include 2 a cappella songs, but I'm glad they made it in.

Episode 6: "Rina-chan RunRuns"

Rina develops a new mobile game. She asks Yu, Ai, and Shioriko to playtest it to make sure even beginners can enjoy it. A week after the 3 have fun playing together, many people have played Rina's game, and the rankings have become a hot topic. However, the person ranked higher than Setsuna and Mia, who are skilled at games, is… "SASUKE"!?

Miyakohito's Comment: This is the essence of CG animation. Thank you for the fantastic visuals that make me want to actually play the game! The 3 players' names were a particular point of attention in the manga version.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: The storyboard for this episode was drawn by 3D Director Tatsuguchi-san. Thanks to his work, the characters in the game world were cute, and it turned out to be a wonderful scene. It'd be a shame to have that game world appear only once.

Episode 7: "Lanzhu and the Joker"

The club members play cards in the clubroom. Lanzhu's more eager than anyone to play Old Maid, but when she sees the only joker left at the end, she dejectedly muses, "The special card is always alone in the end." To cheer her up, Ai pulls out another joker and passes it to her. Now with a pair, Lanzhu is overjoyed!

Miyakohito's Comment: The joker watches alone as those around him pair up one after another. The once-lonely Lanzhu, who had always been on her own, is paired with a special place thanks to the hand that was continuously extended to her. The way the background music "Tokimeki e! (To a Thrill!)" comes in is the best.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: This episode is a heart-warming one, showing once again how Lanzhu is accepted by the club. I figured she'd be bad at Old Maid since she has an easy-to-read personality, so I brought back a familiar card game scene. By the way, Lanzhu's shotgun shuffle scene is my favorite.

Episode 8: "Kanata, Shizuku, and Little Sisters"

Shizuku meets the Konoe sisters while walking her pet dog Ophelia. She and Haruka go all out playing on the beach while Kanata and Ophelia enjoy relaxing in the sun. The 2 pairs are somewhat similar. Finally, tired out from playing, Haruka falls asleep and mistakes Ophelia for Kanata in her stupor!?

Miyakohito's Comment: A very laid-back episode. It was difficult to add more members to the show, but I was happy to see Haruka-chan and Ophelia make an appearance.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: The episode is about Kanata and Shizuku, but I think Haruka stood out the most… But it's okay because she was cute at the end, right!? As for why Shizuku is taking a walk in Odaiba, I think she wanted to show Ophelia the scenery there. I'm sure her parents gave them a ride.

Episode 9: "Bestest Little Sister Tournament"

Kasumi proclaims, "Cute people have what it takes to be little sisters!" and holds the "Bestest Little Sister Tournament." Shioriko and Mia, who are actually little sisters, are somewhat embarrassed when the topic comes up. Rina, who was watching the situation, mutters, "Big Sis Yu," and Yu melts…! Showing overwhelming little sister power, Rina is crowned the winner.

Miyakohito's Comment: The many faces of Kasumi are one of the highlights of this episode (and the next), as is Rina-chan's destructive power. I also drew the mascot characters at the end.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: Rina has a mysterious wave (brainwashing?) called Little Sister Aura. I like it. The mascot characters at the end were drawn by Miyakohito-san, but some are cut off due to space limitations… Sorry… If you're interested in them, please check the manga included in the Blu-ray!

Episode 10: "Kasumi, Setsuna, and Surprises"

Setsuna always gives perfect performances as a school idol. The members of the club, led by Kasumi, discuss ideas for playing a surprise on her, but they're unable to come up with any good ones. The next day, there's trouble when the sound and lights go out during her actual concert. She starts singing a cappella, captivating the entire audience…!

Miyakohito's Comment: The fact that the lighting and sound weren't fixed until the end can be explained as them being seen and heard in Setsuna's performance ability. I made some excessive requests for the live show scene and special ending song… Thank you.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: Setsuna does a live performance during the end credits. I'd be happy if we could do a live show scene with all the members someday. I like Ai's surprise plan idea "Pandemonium With Pandas" very much.

Episode 11: "Yu and Childhood Friends"

Ayumu turns down Yu and Lanzhu's invitation to go out to practice instead. When Yu sees her worn-out shoes, she decides to watch her. Shioriko sees them together and says she has a childhood friend she's proud of as well. Yu can't take her eyes off Ayumu's hard work and continues watching her practice into the evening….

Miyakohito's Comment: Yu-chan has been seeing Ayumu's profile more since she became a school idol. The way Ayumu chases her dreams with expressions unlike those she usually shows her must be stirring up all kinds of emotions within her. By the way, Ayumu is practicing "Awakening Promise" in the manga version.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: When I saw the manga from Miyakohito-san, my first thought was "the origin and the peak." Thank you! It's funny how the image of childhood friends is completely different for Yu and Ayumu, and Lanzhu and Shioriko.

Episode 12: "The Piano and School Idols"

The music room echoes with the sound of the piano played by Yu. She tells Setsuna, who's come to cheer her on, that she's grateful to her for inspiring her to pursue her dream and introducing her to her thrill. Then, as if guided there, the members gather and begin to sing in chorus to her accompaniment. Surrounded by everyone's singing voices, it brings a heartfelt smile to her face as she realizes how glad she is to have joined the club.

Miyakohito's Comment: I wanted this episode to be a finale, so I included references to the Nijigasaki anime throughout. The first scene is also a homage to the first episode of the Love Live! TV anime (the scene where Honoka meets Maki playing the piano in the music room), as it has been exactly 10 years since it aired.

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: Thank you for such a wonderful episode to conclude Nijiyon Animation. There's an emotional intensity that can only be felt through the relationship between Yu and Setsuna here! A rainbow appears at the end, which is a nod to the events of the Nijigasaki anime.

BD Bonus Episode 13: "Yu and the School Idol Club 1"

Now presenting, Kasumi, who wants to make Yu fall for her; Shizuku, who wants to make Yu a pair of gloves; Karin, who wants Yu to compliment her makeup; and Ai, who wants to make Yu laugh with her jokes♪

BD Bonus Episode 14: "Yu and the School Idol Club 2"

The selfish princess Kanata, Setsuna who loves lots of things, Emma using Yu's lap as a pillow, and Rina drawing Yu's face as a Rina-chan Board. It's an episode with all of them.

BD Bonus Episode 15: "Yu and the School Idol Club 3"

Shioriko wants to be pampered by Yu, Mia wants to be depended on by Yu, Lanzhu is flustered by Yu's feelings, and Ayumu is embarrassed by Yu's support… Everyone's daily life is lively!

Miyakohito's Comment: Most of Episodes 13-15 were adapted from the manga I made years ago in preparation for the day when I could draw "you" in Nijiyon. It worked out perfectly to use them, as 3 episodes amounted to 12 4-panel comics. By the way, I also pitched ideas for the ending visuals. I compiled a collection of everyday scenes that couldn't be depicted in the main story. I'm glad they were brought to life so cutely in animation! Furthermore, I'm deeply honored to have been given the opportunity for such a valuable experience and a new challenge. I'd like to take this chance to once again express my gratitude to all the staff, cast members, and to you. Thank you so much!

Yuya Horiuchi's Comment: Each of the bonus episodes have stories with Yu. Although they're short, there are many highlights such as Kasumi falling hard, Shizuku's casual appeal, Karin's embarrassed self, Ai's panic, Kanata's indulgent ways, Setsuna's forgetfulness, Emma's honesty, Rina's sociability, Shioriko's little sister attribute, Mia's simplicity, Lanzhu's fluster, and Ayumu's cuteness!

[creative-hanyou-girl]

@intoevernightfanfic there really is so much to explore with this series. I know Annette Marie did a Yumei side-story that I'm sure goes into world building. It's about Yumei's origin story, and I'd like to read it, but I think you need certain access to read it or something. I could be wrong tho.

And my chain of events was basically the same as yours! I watched Inuyasha for the first time in high school and loved it, and I wanted something similar but moved slightly to the left, so I watch and eventually read all of Kamisama Kiss and loved that, and then because of both those 2 series, I needed something else that gave me similar vibes, which eventually led me to discovering Red Winter. And honestly, while I'll always be looking for stories that give off the Human/Yokai vibes, I think InuYasha, Kamisama Kiss, and the Red Winter Trilogy (and Demonized of course) will always be my absolute favorite stories within that kind of category. They're always be my comfort stories in that genre, so to speak! I'm happy w/ sticking to these stories, even when I go searching out for other Demon/Yokai type stuff. They're be the stories within the Human/Yokai genre that I'll always come back to.

Wow. I just sounded overly sentimental there, didn't I? It's true tho, Inuyasha, Kamisama Kiss, and Red Winter (along w/ Demonized, even if it's not exactly the same), will always have a special place in my heart when it comes to the Human/Yokai genre. I'll be old and gray and on my deathbed and these animes/mangas and books will still be living rent free in my mind and I won't even be mad about it! I love these stories, even if I want more of them, particularly when it comes to Red Winter. Maybe Annettte will do another side story for it, who knows?

I pretty sure Annette isn't drawing the comic herself, or at least not completely. Like I said, it's a collab thing with a webtoon artist, I think. Or maybe she's commissioned the artist to do the comic. Honestly I'm not really sure.

But Annette DOES have her own Instagram account where she actually does draw her own art based around her books, including Red Winter, and she's not half bad either!!!! She mainly does semi-realism and animesque-styled art (which to me proves even more that she was at least partially inspired by anime when writing her stories, especially Red Winter) and she doesn't post art that often, but she has over 56 or so art works posted. I can't show you her art on here since that'd be reposting it, but here's her Instagram link so that you can see her art:

https://www.instagram.com/annettemarie.author/?hl=en

You might need to scroll down for a while to get to her Red Winter arts, but honestly seeing her art stuff from her other books will get you so curious about reading her other stories. That's what convinced me to read Demonized; I saw her artworks that featured the 2 main characters from Demonized, Robin and Zylas, and I just HAD to check it out. And I don't regret a single thing about that decision. Seriously, The Guild Codex: Demonized is a very close second from Red Winter as being my favorite book series of the 2. Both of them are at least in my top 3 favorite book series anyway. And Annette Marie is quickly becoming my new favorite author. And I love that she draws too. Looking at her artstyle, I'm kind of convinced that she's done the cover arts for AT LEAST her Guild Codex series, including Demonized . I don't know if she did Red Winter tho.

I really do love her stories, especially her characters, which is why it's kind of intimidating to write fanfics for Red Winter because I really want to do the characters justice, especially since I kind of eventually maybe want to write a fanmade 4th book that's multi-chaptered and is another adventure for the characters to go on. I don't really have a set idea for the plot in mind yet, I just know that eventually, maybe after I've completed at least one of my other multi-chaptered WIPs, I'd like to dip my feet in writing a a long-running Red Winter fanfic that is in the same vane as the the canon books. First, tho, I need to figure out how to write the characters and keep them IN character. One step at a time, right?

And thank you for the offer to tells me how Shadow of the Fox goes! I just don't like starting stuff without knowing how its going to end, you know? Why get emotionally attached to the characters, if their story ends unhappily, ya feel me?

I technically have a Discord account, but I admittedly don't really use it, so I'd probably DM you on here!

Sorry if I'm rambling so much, I just get SO EXCITED talking about Red Winter and books I love, especially when I talk with someone who read and loved it too. Not a lot of people talk about Red Winter or Annette Marie's other series and I've been DYING to gush about her stuff with someone.😩

When you're really REALLY passionate about a book that has the same vibes as your favorite anime/manga and you just really want to recommend it to all the people in your anime/manga fandom because you KNOW they'd love it too but your worried about being annoying and overbearing with your recommendation.👉👈