#playing with the base chibis like dolls

[arkiwii]

i just REALLY want them to talk it out

[bmpmp3]

look at my dolls boy

[maisartcraft-blog]

hopes for valve to figure out a way to fix everything with the bots, from my understanding a rather big piece of the current player base is bot users?. I mean I feel a bit worried if that is being the case it could harm steam at the long run, I mean both taken how there is an tendensy to more steam games there been added there have a rather lagging amount of quality, as well as not having solutions for some of the games there add value to steam like tf2. I only have a steam cause of tf2 cause I buyed the orange box multiple years ago because of tf2 was on it, cause I heard it was a good game, I mean heck the first pc I had could barly run it and was shared (yes I know basicly a toaster can run tf2 with speaks to how bad that pc was) but I still loved the game the game have always been more than just a game to me, it gotten me though some dark times in my life. I love all from the unic world both the game play and the comics, to how people sometimes just stop figthing in the middle of a match to run around joke taunt and being silly, I never expirenced that in any other game I played and I think that one of the reasons its special. I love the colorful personalitys of the mercs. but also over all the silly world they are in. the game is a diamond. I just hope help comes for it. I image mabye valve will end up suing the bot hosts on the bases on lost revenue than the game makes for them via in game sales. after all whats the value of items in a game if people cant play the games cause of bots kicking real players out ... beond playing war game dress up dolls with the chareckters in the load outs. I choose to draw the tf2 chareckters as chibis as I did that many years ago then I started playing and the first time I drew them all togther on a paper was as chibis. partly cause a A4 paper well ... its not aloth of space for 9 chareckters, ofcourse I dont have thouse limitations with digital now. but it feeld right. also wanted to pay respect for the comic medium as well its why I choose the speach bubbles, and still find it funny then scout use to have crazy legs movements. hope all have a good day and all the best hopes for the future.

[epicocat]

I realized i haven’t been giving any GunplUpdates to the, like, 3 people that care, so I’ll just do a quick review of the nine kits I’ve built since the Zeong

Real Grade Sazabi

Probably one of the best RG kits I’ve built so far, at least in recent memory. It’s big, it’s articulate, it’s detailed, I love it!

High Grade Gundam NT-1, AKA Gundam Alex

This one was certainly an older kit. It builds the same as any other HG RX clone, and absolutely needs panel lining with all the molded details (good thing I picked up a pen recently). However, despite all its limitations, the HG Gundam Alex turned out better than I expected, and poses quite nicely!

I’m not at all biased because we have the same name :P

High Grade Mobile Doll May (Gundam Base Color)

This is probably my first official step into the Mecha Masume genre of model kits, but not my first girlpla (I’ve built the Figure Rise Sulleta Mercury the Artery Gear Fusion Guard Spider Feidy kit [highly recommend] before either of them). I doubt I‘ll end up buying anything more scandalous than this, I really don’t care for the half naked robot girls of Frame Arm Girls or Megami Device.

That all being said, this was a really fun kit! It was my first run with waterslide decals, and I think they turned out… mostly ok. The articulation is really good, the sculpting is well detailed (especially in the areas meant for other fans) and I just like kits that come with stands.

I will say, i do not and will not understand the appeal of battle stilettos (it’s hard to see in the pic but her feet are basically pointed straight down in the heels she’s wearing)

Sakura’s Edge

Another of my few non Bandai kits, Sakura comes from the Armored Puppet line of kits from Number 57. It’s another 1/24th scale kit, which means she is very very smol. Her most stand out feature is her third giant buster-arm, capable of wielding a sword twice her height. The bright pink, gold, and white go really well together, and she just looks really nice! Unfortunately her armor is more of an afterthought from the creators, as some parts need to be filed and trimmed excessively to get them to fit (I was in a VC with a friend, he can testify I was almost brought down by the shoes), and other parts just sit loose, ready to pop right off after the slightest tap, touch, or pinch.

30 Minute Missions Spinatia (Commando Type)

This kit was my intro to 30MM and I wish I bought more of them sooner! It was a cheap impulse purchase from a “local” hobby store I was checking out and it was a really enjoyable experience! It was simple and relatively fast (I failed the mission, it took me an hour), but using all the extra parts and mixing and matching equipment was so fun to play around with and experiment with what looks cool, something I hope to see more of as I build more Hexa Gear kits. In the meantime though, I have a 30 Minute Custom to plan >:3c

Transparent SD Gundam and Char’s Zaku II

I dont own many SD kits, and I think these are some more I’ll snag more of as I shop around. They’re simple and cute! They’re both Cross Silhouettes, but only the Zaku came with the CS frame, so the Gundam is just really squat and even more chibi in comparison. Overall not much to write home about, but still fun!

High Grade Gundam Maxter

The only red white and blue I’ll ever stand for

That being said, this was a really great kit! It’s a shame it’s P-Bandai limited, along with Gundam Rose. It absolutely needs panel lining for its literal abs of steel and face, but it still looks quite nice. It’s very articulate and it was hard to pick just one photo that truly sums up the insanity of Gundam Maxter, perfectly captured in gunpla form. It comes with everything seen in the picture, along with its flying surfboard shield, guns, and an effect part for its bursting machinegun punch. It is such a great kit, and comes with enough ham to justify its $30 price tag, despite the fact that Maxter is in fact very small.

High Grade Messer F-01

I love The messer’s design. It feels like a true successor to the Zaku series of suits. I know canonically it’s built off of the Sazabi, but it’s design is 100% Zaku. It’s got that respirator like mouthpiece, and the spiky asymmetric shoulder armor. Is just so cool! And did I mention this things size yet? It, like it’s predecessor are big boys, snd both stand almost as tall as many master grade gunpla in my collection. Overall an amazing kit!

[livelaughlovesubs]

I'mma give you more Amia facts :3

Other members of the Port Mafia are actually creeped out by her, especially since she can suddenly go from cheerful and lively to serious and almost irritable.

When Amia gets lost in her thoughts for far too long, her expression, if it wasn't already, will go blank, almost like a doll.

She knows her shadow sometimes doesn't match how she moves, and she uses it to scare the shit out of the other members.

The first ever personality and mindset Amia had ever copied and used after a long while of observation is Dazai's, since she sticks around him the most back then.

Amia walks very quietly even in heels and even when walking on marble or concrete floors. She mastered doing that when she was still little.

She gained consciousness when she was three years and four months old.

Ango was and is still Amia's main victim to creep out. He ain't safe even if he's with the government now, she still goes after his ass like there's no tomorrow. Let me tell you, Ango does NOT like Amia one bit.

She has one person that she hates the most, and it's NOT Fyodor.

Rimbaud was the only person who has ever come close to helping Amia find and discover her true self, but ever since he died, it was like all progress was lost. She felt lost without his guidance and help. And so, she's back to square one.

Serious facts aside, let's get to more silly and cute ones :3

Amia's gloves are actually a gift from Rimbaud.

Amia does NOT know how to cook for life, but she does know how to bake. She's pretty decent at it!

Speaking of cooking, Rimbaud tried to teach Amia how to cook once and his kitchen almost got set on fire, no, not just the stove, the ENTIRE KITCHEN. Yeah, never again.

She used to have very long hair, like waist level.

Amia listens to Britney Spears on loop. No elaboration needed.

She knows how to crochet, and she likes to crochet little animals mostly. Her latest creation is a bee.

The reason why she started wearing heels is because she wants to serve/j

Jk, it's mostly because she feels like she feels pretty in them. (And also because she likes poking her targets with the heel of her shoe)

If she had the time, she would definitely learn how to play the piano, or the harp.

She mostly taught herself how to read, speak, and write with the help of dictionaries. Mori, surprisingly, helped her with it. Partially.

She sometimes would leave her little crocheted creations randomly at base for some reason. Some of the members find them.

Amia also likes to doodle on her paperwork, so Mori would find little stars, cute chibis, flowers, etc. on the paperwork he receives from her.

Doodling actually helps her focus even if it does take up her time. Important paperwork is safe from her doodling, she just draws on a different paper instead while she does her work.

She is still a kid after all huh

BUT IF THATS THE CASE PLS DONT WEAR HEELS I remember reading heels are not good for the growth of children. And she listens to Britney Spears? Gd, that’s too mature for you my child. Yep, you can go around and murder, but adult music is adult music /j

(is her music even that mature? I js remember there are many implications)

Who does she hate the most though? Is it dazai?

[stepswowdsen]

【KagePro】 KuroEne 🖤💙💗

I have too much power. I'm unstoppable 💥💥💥

Choose your favourite version of XX/6 🖤💙🐍🐇🫶

Ty to Feila for giving me the idea~ 💗

I think the first one looks the best in terms of positioning (how the images crop and fit in the frame)

I love the Playing Card chibi arts (so I originally did it with them), but it doesn't fill up the frames unfortunately. So I also did it with other arts too

Not right now ofc but I really wanna make plushie designs of them and my other top fave ships one day...

I have the video versions for all of these, but Tumblr doesn't let me upload more than one video per post

So I just uploaded the GIF versions.

Rambles

F: Imagine this GIF but XanLena

Me: Omg this would be so cute to do with XanLena…

F: You close the locket, they kith :3

F: LMAO DO IT

Me: THAT'S A GOOD IDEA OMG. I should do it with KuroEne's other official arts as well

F: LMAOAO YYEESS

...

Me: So tempted to do this with my ships

Put the meow meow mf on one side and their S/O on the other and then BOOM when the heart locket closes, they kiss!!!

(This was Feila's idea)

C: You should hahjtsh

Me: I'M A GENIUS

C: LOL

Me: KuroEne Kiss

Based on your ideas with XanLena earlier

F: THEY DID IT

THEY KISSED

THEY HITFHDHDH

Me: I felt :) the whole time while making these… I love them sm

Now all I gotta do is make these with other arts of KuroEne, XanLena, JuAli, IdaTatsu, and LimGuda. We need multiple versions of these for each of them

F: You definitely got an addiction but I support it 🔥

...

Feila suggested to make the GIF with XanLena, my KHR AU yume (Canon/OC) ship of XanLena (Xanxus/Selena) ❤️💜

So I took the opportunity to make them for my faves! I'll be posting the ones with XanLena, JuAli, IdaTatsu, and LimGuda separately!

Could you imagine plushies of them. Goddd I seriously need to make plushies of them in the future...

I want to have dolls of my fave ships one day where you can dress them up, so I can dress them in custom clothes and change their outfits from time to time :3

It'd be sooo cute for my OTPs to share a scarf together (if possible)

The best part about being able to draw for me is that I can fuel my fave chara/ship shenanigans 🤸 Yayyy!

Me making my KuroEne plushies kiss like barbie dolls 😚💘

And the same for my other ships!

[demon-blood-youths]

||The cursed king doll, Part 2 - Knowing Your Enemy ||

Hi everyone! This is part two of the drabble of The Cursed King Doll made by @the-silver-peahen-residence and me. THis is based off from this ask.

If you haven't seen part one. Here it is.

----- Summary ----

After the class discovered that Sukuna became a doll or rather his soul was in a doll. A curse cast by the enigma, Krampus. Sukuna tries to endure this cruelty while surviving the struggles of being a toy doll.

----- Warning ---

Hilarity

Cursing

Madnesss

More Hilarity

-----

This is bullshit!

Absolutely bullshit.

Ryomen Sukuna never thought of being the one cursed by some entity who calls himself Krampus! Of course, Sukuna has little knowledge of the mythology and legend behind Christmas. He only knows about hot chocolate, eggnog, and a fat man in a red suit called Santa Claus from his vessel, Yuuji Itadori.

Speaking of his vessel, he is enjoying his swell of time relaxing while focusing on class, studies, training, and oh...having free time because he treats it as a vacation. Hell, it's like Yuuji is so happy that he gets an entire winter break from Sukuna.

Damn brat....

"Oi, brat! Aren't you going to do something about this?!" Sukuna in his doll form, hitting him on the thigh but it does little. Yuji registers it as a soft pillow hits.

"Didn't you read the letter? You have to wait for the curse to break till New Year or Spring." Yuji said, playing his video game on the switch. A new video game that his little sister, Taz got him.

"I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG! WHAT IF THAT KRAMPUS WON'T EVER DISPEL THIS CURSE?!" Sukuna squeaking.

"Chill...Sukuna. I mean.....this is Krampus. He's the opposite of Santa Claus."

"Brat. I don't know anything about some fat man named Santa Claus and Krampus! Matter of fact, who the fuck is Krampus?!" Sukuna asked.

"Like I said, opposite of Santa. Something that came from Germany to punish the bad kids. Oh! That reminds me...there is a movie on that. This can help." Yuuji pauses on his game and starts to look for the movie on his streaming service. He finds it and goes to play it for Sukuna to watch.

The movie is one hour long. It all started with the Black Friday madness...something Sukuna kinda understood seeing that deals and likes to watch stupid humans fight over materialistic things. It's amusing. But that wasn't important. He needs to learn about this damn Krampus guy. Yuuji resumes, playing his game as Sukuna continues to watch the movie on the bed. Apparently, Krampus is a monster with hooves and horns wearing a red cloak with fur lined at the edges. It took the girl and soon, the grandma discussed what Krampus is.

A darker ancient spirit, the shadow of Saint Nicholas. Not to give but to take. Dragging the old lady's parents to the underworld.

The keyword 'underworld' stood out. Sukuna growls. Why does it have to be freaking demons messing with him?! Maybe he can ask the pup's friends like Inky or...no....if they see him like this, they would probably laugh their asses off non-stop like the brats here in school and wanting to squeeze him.

The movie soon ends with a family that survives mysterious but they get a bell. A reminder. Then the house is in a snow globe in a room. Several snow globes as if this thing keeps an eye on the families. The movie ends.

Shit.

"So ya get it now?" Yuuji asked making Sukuna grumble. "So...this Krampus is a damn demon. Great! So how am I going to break this curse?"

"Sukuna....maybe it's time to take that L and just accept it.." Yuuji said.

"NEVER! I REFUSE!" Sukuna refuses to surrender to this damn Christmas demon. He won't surrender! He will not give up! He is a king, damnit!

'You know what?! Bring me to the pup! I want to see her!" Sukuna said. Yuuji looks at Sukuna and he can't help laugh at his chibi form since he is in plushie doll form. "Alright, alright. I will bring you to Taz."

"Then you better behave. Don't do anything, weird, okay?" Yuuji tells him. Sukuna scoffs, "Brat...I might be a king but not scummy enough to hurt the pup!"

"Yeah...true. I believe that." Yuuji said. After seeing Sukuna hug Taz by having him drink hot chocolate for the first time. It's strange. He almost forgot that Sukuna used to be human. He wonders what happened down the line before he became the King of Curses.

"Okay let's get going."

"Wait..."

"What now?" Yuuji asked.

"Hide me when we get to the girls' dormitory," Sukuna said. Yuji blinks. "Wait why?"

Sukuna hisses, "Do you NOT remember when I came out of your bag?! Those harpies were squeezing and hugging me non-stop!" Sukuna explained. Yuji blinked and went, "Oooooooooh..." Yuuji nods but smiles, "Like this?" He squeezes Sukuna a bit and what comes out is a Christmas Tune followed by

'I Luw you <3'

"Brat...."

"I love you too, Sukuna," Yuuji smirked a bit, enjoying this curse way too much. 'Maybe I should leave cookies for Krampus.' Yuuji thought.

"Fuck you!" Sukuna cursed. Yuuji laughs as he starts to hide Sukuna in his bag and heads to the girls' dormitory. He hopes his princess is alright after being chased by Gojo non-stop. She holed up inside Taz since he is trapped in this damn doll.

---

Yuji arrives at the girls' dormitory as he texts Taz to come by to the door with a bag that is holding and hiding Sukuna. Because he doesn't want to deal with the 'harpies' getting him and doting on him. Taz got Sukuna and said hello to him with the brightest smile ever. She got him in her arms before Yuji left.

Taz can see how happy her big brother is without Sukuna in his head but she won't bring this up. In a way, maybe Sukuna can do things, he can't do when being in Yuji's body. So Taz brings Sukuna to her room while hiding him, passing Nobara and talking with Yuria and Miko on how adorable Sukuna is in that accursed doll.

Now in her room, Sukuna can see the room. All of the plushies but not too cute. Her room is humble as she has books stacked on her desk.

"So pup....do you friends ever come across Krampus?"

"Not really. But we did ask questions about it during Christmas. Since if demons are real, why not Santa..I mean Santa isn't a demon but Krampus is." She said. "Although...it isn't something to worry about because all of us have been good. But I'm surprised that Krampus came for you, Mister Sukuna."

Sukuna grumbles. "I saw the movie. Is it true?"

"Hmmm...it is." Taz nods. The movie isn't gory so it's safe for Taz to watch but it did scare her a little. "But I'm not sure how true it is. But if Krampus can put you in a doll like that then it's possible that he can easily have powers to send out scary toys and do all that." She said.

"But think of it this way! I mean you can do things that you haven't done in big brother's body." Taz said, trying to cheer him up. Sukuna sighs, "Yes but it isn't the same as a human body, you bow." He tells her.

Before Taz and Sukuna talk anymore, a call is heard. Taz picks up her phone and looks at the caller ID.

"Who is it?" Sukuna asked.

"It's Ink."

Shit.

"Ink! Hi! Merry Christmas!" Taz smiled. "Huh? You want to see me on cam?" Taz looks to see Sukuna hiding now under the cover. "Sure, okay."

Taz brings up her laptop and communicates with Ink. The two spoke about how their Christmas is going and such. Sukuna is now thinking, trying to figure out how to track that damn horned asshole.

"Um...Ink. I have a question. Have you heard of Krampus?"

"Huh? Krampus? Oh! Yes, I did." Ink smiles. "Why?"

"Oh! Just curious! My big brother looks him up and asks if Krampus is a demon or a spirit."

"Krampus is a demon, all right. Vanity heard of him and he said that Krampus helps out Santa at times when punishing really bad kids! That guy already has an heir already...somewhere in Europe." Ink said.

"Oh! Um....so is it true from the movie that Krampus...the one from 2018 is real?"

"From what he looks like? No. But the things he did is correct. But there is one thing I do know about that wasn't in the movie!"

"Like?"

"Like putting souls of bad kids inside toy dolls who are really bad and like to bully people. I heard that his favorite thing to do!" Ink laughed. Sukuna is seething, hearing this.

"Oh! That reminds me! Gojo asked me the same question and he told me that Krampus came by not too long ago."

FUCKING SIX EYES! Sukuna cursed loudly internally.

"He told me that Krampus put Sukuna in a doll and Yuuji was so happy about it, he got a mental break." Ink laughs. "I would love to see that."

"Oh....." Taz said, she quickly looked at Sukuna who was now getting mad. "We found a letter saying that someone told him about Sukuna."

"Is that right? Sukuna has a LONG list of people he pissed. I wonder who that is?" Ink said, snickering now. "It's hard to find out so If I were him, I would hide in my room or just say sorry to the people he messed up." Ink remembers when her fraction got a present from him.

Sukuna's pride won't allow that. He will not apologize nor hide! He is King of Curses, damnit.

"I wonder what he looks like." Ink said. Sukuna is going to jump off the bed because he won't heard this. "If he is a doll, he's pretty stuck and kids might mistake him for a toy. Heck, he probably yelling or crying, throwing a tantrum like a baby."

"I AM NOT A BABY, YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Sukuna shouted. Taz gasped a little while Ink raised a brow. A toy sounds like a cry. "What was that?"

"Oh, nothing!" Taz said. "Um....I got to go. Nobara is calling me for something! Bye!" She quickly hangs up.

-------

"Huh." Ink said. From that voice and toy sound, it must be Sukuna. Ink is now snickering as she gets a photo from Gojo revealing a grumpy toy doll of Sukuna.

"Got em." Ink snickered.

[summer-of-fandom]

Sketch it, color it, print it- fan art has always been a well loved section of fandom

Each box is worth 1x pt

For a Try-It: Earn at least 3 points

For a Badge: Earn at least 10 points

Types and Styles of Fanart

Recreating actual scenes/events in your own style. Like this one from EXO or this one.

Make a comic, with or without text. Like this one from EXO or this one from Dungeon Meshi.

Portraits, like this one of Phayu.

Chibi, like this BossNoeul one.

Screen-cap redraw. Like this one from Dungeon Meshi or this one from Dead Boy Detectives.

Alternative universes like this one from EXO or this one from Dungeon Meshi.

Crack art like this one from Dungeon Meshi.

In the style of an animated show like this one from Dungeon Meshi.

Size/Complexity

Headshot/bust.

Half-body.

Full-body.

Rough sketch.

Clean sketch/Lineart.

Uncoloured.

Rough colour.

Clear colour.

Unshaded.

Rough shading.

Clean shading.

No background.

Patterned/abstract background.

Rough background.

Clean background.

3D doll paintover.

Premade 3D base.

Made from scratch 3D base.

Playing with 2D Mediums

Digital: 

Painting.

Sketch.

3D models.

Animation:

Simple (blinking/head bob/linear wiggle).

Moderate (a few seconds of movement).

Complex (substantial movement).

Traditional:

Acrylic, Oil, Gouache.

Chalk pastels, Oil pastels.

Graphite, Charcoal.

Pen & Ink.

Printmaking.

Markers, Crayons, Pencil

[destinylordoffreaks]

Here is batch 1 of my art of iris Hau’oli 

As mentioned in my re-blog of her doll, her original design comes from a unnecessarily edgy, alternate future just exactly the kind of things a 14 year old, who grew up on the 2003 ninja turtles and watch Transformers the movie on repeat has a kid would write you know 

So about the color choices I made with the original design they’re questionable right worst part is I remember making this design and thinking to myself, it’s a post apocalyptic future  clothing Options are going to be limited, and nothing is going to match and I took that concept to heart the second picture is also from that same unnecessarily, edgy future it’s actually part of a whole piece that I can only describe has being as some sort of movie poster, but I hated the rest of it so much that I cropped it out 

After that, we have the beach photo that was also pictured featured in Benjamins pictures because it’s a giant group photo. I think this is probably the first possibly the second design of her outside of the post apocalyptic feature. 

I’m gonna level with you I don’t know if the third or fourth picture came first one of them is her first design has a character in the normal timeline instead of the crazy  future. One big problem with both of them is that they were both were made using a drawing bases, and I had no idea how to appropriately draw characters to proportion, so Iris seems to tower over everyone else, despite the fact that Iris is the shortest member of the cast, thankfully I eventually figured that out

Next up, we have Chibi iris, I actually attempted to make chibi designs for all of my characters at that point, but I didn’t like the way most of them turned out. Iris I didn’t mind though, so here she is. 

Than we have a Disney princess like design, which had been inspired by a dress up game on a website called azaleas dolls if I remember correctly, it’s like heroin creator or something like I’ll have to see if I can find it. Unfortunately, this was back when l flash player was a thing, so it doesn’t work anymore unless you have a browser that can run flash might be on flashpoint though I haven’t looked, I run it through the browser that Azalea dolls recommended, which is called y8 browser or something that you downloaded your computer so I still played all the time. I actually have irises original design I made her on said doll creator, so if you guys want I can post that and maybe even an updated version but you guys will have to actually comment and tell me to do it

After that, we have a picture of featuring Iris‘s family her mom pua, her older brother kekoa, and her older sister Maylea  Iris is the baby  although he is it depicted in this picture I think because I hadn’t decided to stick him in the store yet I was also has a stepdad named Craig irises biological dad had been a Navy doctor, who retired from the Navy, and became a first responder who ultimately passed away when Iris was 11 and her mom remarried when she was 13 to Craig Craig is actually a really sweet guy. I was just dislikes him on the principle that he’s not her dad she does eventually come around though

And finally, we have a group photo of Iris and the rest of the Yuki’s friends. Remember that picture back in Benjamin stuff where him and his family are all dressed up nicely. Well this was supposed to be the other half of that picture, like it was supposed to be two parts but I hated it so much. I never colored it I just left it like this and moved on to something else  like I should apologize to Sorin, for whatever I did to his eyes, and to Pete, for not connecting his face to the rest of his body 

Now that I remembered that you can put blocks of text in between photos. I have to go back and edit all of my ones for Benjamin so that they flow better instead of just being a giant block of pictures followed by a giant block a text.

that’s all for now. 



[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki SSL - 『Chibi Chara After School Life』

hope everyone is staying hydrated and cool... Anyway, this is the 『ちびキャラ After School Life』 content that was originally printed in the G杂志2013年8月号 magazine, and while it was later reprinted in the 薄桜鬼SSL ～sweet school life���公式ファンブック 特別授業篇 book, the “introductory guides” didn’t seem to make it?

Hakuoki SSL - 『Chibi Chara After School Life』  (I don’t have the title in CN so I wasn’t able to translate the title of this myself and I relied on google for that)

Translation by KumoriYami

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

I ran into Hijikata-sensei while he was resting in the cafeteria! Although he usually looks busy, he seemed to be relaxed today. I heard him ask me, "do you want to come and have a drink?" So I went and had tea with him. Despite how he is very strict, he is a gentle teacher who is always very considerate of us.

---------------

『 Stealing a moment to have a quick cup of tea 』 

Hijikata: As soon as it becomes spring, it feels like another year has started. The new students have to handle a lot of formalities and prepare for the scheduled tests and son on... they don't even have the time to have a relaxed meal.

Chizuru:  You've been working hard, Hijikata-sensei. Please don't push yourself too hard... Right, if it's convenient, can I do something for you?

Hijikata: I appreciate your kindness, but regardless of the situation, I can't get a student involved.

Chizuru: I'm truly sorry...

Hijikata:....There's no helping it, don't show such an expression. If you really want to help, there is a task I can ask of you.

Chizuru: Ah...yes! Please just tell me!

Hijikata: Stay with me until I finish my tea. Because it's necessary to find the time to relax once in a while.

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

Okita-senpai gave me a very cute doll! The doll comes from the now popular "MAKOTO Soldiers" series, which seems to have other versions aside from cats. He also said that he would take me to go play at the GAME CENTER, and that he was looking forward to it.

---------------

『 For that child...? 』

Okita: Yep, here. This is for you.

Chizuru: So cute...! Where did you get this doll?

Okita: When I was going home yesterday, I went to the game center with Heisuke. This was obtained there.

This is apparently called a "MAKOTO Soldiers", which is one of the popular doll series nowadays... There's this indescribable sense of disgust that's very annoying. You see, its face really looks like Hijikata-sensei's, and I really want to beat it up.

Chizuru: I think most people will find it cute... Anyway, thank you. I will cherish it!

Okita: You're welcome. This series also has a rabbit, bear and so forth... if you want them, let's go together next time?

Chizuru: Yes, please be sure to bring/take me!

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

Saito-senpai, who has been very busy with the affairs of the Disciplinary Committee, seems to be counting the points deducted after school today. In order to not cause his problems, you must be careful to not be late! As he is also very enthusiastic about the Kendo Club's activities, the Disciplinary Committee's actives, and coordinating between them, he is a senpai who I respect very much!!

---------------

『 In Retrospect 』

Saito:  We of the Disciplinary Committee have to count the deductions data for the day like this after school.

Aside from the normal days... it is very exhausting when there surprise uniform inspections like today. Because the amount of statistics/counting work greatly expands.

Chizuru: Ex-Exhausting...

Saito: Having said that, thanks to Hijikata-sensei's and Principal Kondou's education, I feel that there are far fewer students at our school who violate the rules compared to other schools.

Chizuru: I think that's inextricably linked to the efforts of the Disciplinary Committee's members, including Saito-senpai. Ah, but Hakuo Gakuen's uniform rules were originally relatively loose.

Saito: To some extent, that recognition is based on [one's?] personal judgement. Having said that, those three people on the student council..

Chizuru: Kazama-senpai and Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai, ah... uh... they're quite unconventional.

Saito: It is completely incomprehensible that their uniforms were approved...

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Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

It's been a while since I've seen Heisuke-kun, my childhood friend, who is active in his club activities. He's super focused when it comes to the things he loves. Maybe it's the same situation for the games he's addicted to [I think?]. It'd be great if he could make use of his focus for his studies... You can't always stay up late, can you?

---------------

『 Spiritual Unity... before then 』

[honestly I have no confidence in that title translation. im assuming this is more among the lines of “Mental Preparations’... before then? JP is “精神統”]. 

Toudou: Let me ask you, what do you think is the most important thing in kendo?

Chizuru: Eh? It should be strength, and quick reflexes...?

Toudou: These factors are really important if you want to win a match. But Kondou-sensei said that mental strength is the easiest thing that everyone forgets while exercising. 

In the arena, once you get overwhelmed by your enemy's momentum, you will not be able to use your normal strength. While practising, once you lose to yourself, you will unconsciously goof off. That's what he said.

Chizuru: So Heisuke-kun's mind has always been very focused.

Toudou: That's how it is!..... Alright, I feel like my concentration has reached its max!

Chizuru: Ah, since that's the case, why don't we study hard for next week's test while you're full of concentration? If you make full use of this concentration, you'll certainly be able to pass the test!

Toudou;…………Uh, no, think about it, studying and sports are two different things...

Chizuru:…………

Heisuke: I, I'll work hard....

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

This is Harada-sensei taking a break from class since it's over. When the weather gets hot, teaching physical education gets very difficult.... Harada-sensei is our 1st Year Class 1 professor, but despite how I meet him everyday, I have never seen the listless side of him, I can't lose to this sweltering heat!

---------------

『 A teacher's job is not easy 』

Chizuru: The temperature has got up a lot... families will soon start taking out their fans.

Harada; The classroom's extremely stuffy. It's even harder to have physical education classes outside.

Chizuru: Yes... The sun is very intense, and you also need to prevent sunburns and heatstroke.

Harada: I also pay attention to the physical conditions of students, and if you feel unwell during class, tell me immediately [there are actually no pronouns in the latter half of the sentence so I'm just going with what I think makes sense here].

Chizuru: Yes, I often pay attention to the physical condition of my classmates.

...However, you're the one working the hardest, Harada-sensei. Even if there is a physical education class, there's only one class that occurs every two days for the students, while Harada-sensei teaches physical education every day....

Harada: Thank you for your concern. However, that's the job of a physical education teacher..... Alright, after a short break and then we'll start the next class.

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

...Although I don't mind going to the Student Council room, I however heard Kazama-senpai call me his "wife" today. I clearly told him earlier that I wasn't... I was very concerned about why he was the only one wearing a different uniform from the other students, [though]  since he's the Student President of Hakuo Gakuen, he should be a very capable person as there are many students with personality.

[??? I hate the lack of periods in this. The last sentence is too long to not have other punctuation and that means getting creative to make things make sense -.-. ]

---------------

『 Day of Conveying Feelings』

Kazama: My wife. You rarely come to the Student Council Room... Why did you show up today?

Chizuru: There's no reason, and there isn't a rule that you can't come unless there's an urgent matter...

Kazama: Speaking of urgent matters, "seeing me" is significant enough.

Yukimura: It's not that important!

Important matters refers to the submission of documents, and printouts!

Kazama: Ah... I see. So if there isn't such a reason, it will be difficult to you appear before me with your bashful expression.

...Amagiri! Starting from tomorrow, in order to have the 1st year classes [I cannot tell if this plural or not] submit information to the Student Council Room every day after school, help me prepare some random surveys. I'll handle the negotiations with the teachers.

Chizuru: Please don't do that...!?

---------------

The Hijikata/Saito/Harada images were my scans that I uploaded before while the others were not. 

...this probably felt longer to translate than it did. Also, I cannot tell if something is singular or plural if there isn’t enough context. 

[twst-rose-prisms]

Alice Whiterose

----------------❄️-----------------

~Technical Information~

Japanese: アリス • ホワイトローズ

Romanji: Arisu Howaitorozu

Nicknames: Goma-chan* ( Floyd ), Ari-chan ( Alisa ), Shiro-chan** ( Cater ), Chibi-senpai ( Ace ), Reine de Neiges ( Rook )

Voiced by: Satomi Akesaka ( voice sample )

~Biographical Information~

Gender: Female

Age: 17

Birthday: January 17th***

Starsign: Capricorn

Height: 1m55

Eye color: Blue

Hair color: White

Body type: Petite, short ( for a 2nd year ), curvy

3 sizes (bc why not?): B85 - W60 - H84

Blood type: A

Homeland: Rose Kingdom

Family: Alisa Whiterose ( non-blood related sister )

~Professional Information~

Dorm: Heartslabyul

School year: Second

Class: 2-D, student no.16 (poor girl have to sit next to Floyd)

Occupation: Student

Club: Science club

Best subject: Magical pharmaceuticals

~Fun Facts~

Dominant hand: Left

Favorite food: Anything edible

Dislikes food: Spicy food

Dislikes: Scary people, people judge her base on her height

Hobby: Gardening, Origami, Making sweets

Bad with: Open up a conversation, Talking to strangers, Stamina needed works

Talents: Cooking

----------------❄️-----------------

“White roses are very delicate and easily get tainted, just like people, don't think so too...?”

Alice Whiterose is a second-year student at Night Raven College and a member of Heartslabyul Dorm. A shy and introverted girl, she often got anxious if there are too many strangers around her. However, she can be very passionate and devotional when it comes to working.

----------------❄️-----------------

APPEARANCE: Alice is a young girl with shoulder length white hair that tied into twintails styles, wavy bangs covering her forehead and long side bangs. She have droopy blue eyes with a small red rose patch under her right eyes and wear a pair of dark blue glasses. Often got misunderstood as a first year because of her height and petite figures, though she doesn't show her uncomfortableness outside on her face. Alice also doesn't like to let her hair down naturally because it's easily got disheveled. Alisa state that she jealous because she have a "greater body" than her (which Alice quickly debase this but it's actually the truth)

In her Dorm uniform, she wear a white collar shirt with black-and-red striped necktie under a red vest. Over the vest she wears the blazer that others in her dorm wear ( except for Riddle ). She wear a white skirt with a black and yellow ribbon and a chain of 4 keys around her waist, black-and-red tights with heart patterns and red-and-white high tops.

PERSONALITY: Alice usually seen as a shy girl with somewhat gentle aura around her (as stated by others). A little clumsy and easily got scared, she usually got teased for being "jumpy" whenever something scares her. As a child, Alice got taught to not talking to strangers unless they're her friend's acquaintance, so it's understandable why she's bad with open up a conversation. If she found someone have the the same hobby/like the same things as her, she'll talk with them non-stop about it and even forgot about the time. Alice does state that she hates that habit of her and tried to fix it until today ( but failed anyway )

“I-I think... Plants are more gentle and easier to talk to than human. Maybe it's because they're not judgemental like some people.” - Alice's lab-coat SR card personal story (part 2)

Sometimes, people got weirded out by her strange habit of talking to plants and magical creatures during classes. The reason is that she think they're also like human, they need someone to understand them. Her gestures are very gentle and delicate, you could see this clearly whenever she take care of the plants in the school's garden. She also often talk with a soft and respectful voice, even at underclassmen. You might think she's slow, but the truth is that she actually have short stamina, so she can't run fast or holding heavy things. Part of it is also because she have a fragile body at birth, so her mother become very strict about her movements (hence why her gestures are very gentle).

It might make you think "She should be in Pomefiore instead!", but, the reason she got sorted into Heartslaybul is simple. Her passion and ambition towards works. She also doesn't like to live by her own rules, she think that "rules" are part of people's live, and sometimes, you have to follow it to have a better live. While she adore beautiful things, to her, anything that good at heart is beautiful, hence why she doesn't got sorted into Pomefiore. Another reason is that she doesn't strike to be the best in beauty, to be honest, she doesn't want to be the best in anything at all. Trey did comment that: “You sure are a suitable member of Heartslabyul huh Alice? Although Riddle doesn't admit it himself, but I'm sure he must've think the same way about you too.”

“I-I actually did used to play piano... B-But, that hobby of mine used to hurt someone, so I've quit for a long time now...” - Alice's initial SSR personal story (part 3)

Used to be a piano prodigy when she's was a child, she started playing at 8 but quit after 5 years because of an accident. Ever since then, she got anxious and sweating unconsciously whenever she saw a piano. Because of that accident, she also have fear of breaking/ruining things, hence why she always have a tight grip despite the gentle gestures on things she hold (even things like doorknob). If she accidentally grab on the hem of your shirt, you'll clearly notice it. (Though don't tell it out loud or else her face will become red as Riddle's hair). And when she's on verge of getting(?) anxious, she will immediately run away to wherever her feet take her, which usually ended up at the school's Botanical Garden. To her, it's the most quiet and peaceful place at NRC, it's warm atmosphere also help her to quickly calm down as well.

UNIQUE MAGIC: "Gift of Card Suits" - ( 魔法の上書の鍵 "Magic Overwrite Keys" ) To be able to use one of the key that she carried around on other people's magic. Each key have a specific effect:

♥️ Heart: To change the effect/chosen target of anyone's magic (for example, if someone use fire magic, she can use this key to change it to other type of magic or switch the target to anyone she chose)

♠️ Spade: To be immune to any effect of anyone's magic

♣️ Clover: To dispel any effect of anyone's magic

♦️ Diamond: To double the effect of someone's magic (basically, a magic buffer)

However, she can't use Heart, Spade and Clover keys to Unique Magic(s) because it took too much mana to do so. She can also only be able to use 1 key per day, meaning if she use more than 2 keys then it'll reach the limit of her strength, and her Unique Magic will become useless if she doesn't have the keys with her (hence why she even bring it when wearing the Ceremonial Robe). Alice also stated that out of the 4 keys, Heart is the one that consume most mana so she doesn't use it usually like other keys.

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BACKSTORY ( just a small part of it ):

The first thing she saw was the ground. Everything was quiet. Too quiet. She couldn't felt anything except for the cold, hard ground right beneath her feet and the broken wall on her back. Her small shoulders unconsciously shivering from the cold but she doesn't even try to warm herself. She just sit there, like a broken doll waiting for someone to notice it. Her blue orbs doesn't have any lights reflect on, as if they're dead. The only sound was ominous wind blowing on the dead trees. Her white, ripped dress were dirty as well as her used-to-be pure white hair.

Everything around her is dead.

"Oh my, what do we have here?"

A strange, deep voice suddenly speak up and break the dead silence. When she grown up, she couldn't remember much who was that, but she knows, that person was the one that changed her life. Her lifeless eyes slowly look up. Everything around her was a blur, even that person become a black silhouette. But she remembered it well.

A pair of glowing emerald orbs.

"Hmm? What's the matter, _____?"

"A human child. It seems like she's still alive..."

"Nfufu~ You sure are interested in human huh, _____?"

"...Want to bring her along?"

"...Haha! I guess that look is a "yes" then! Go on and pick her up~ If she still alive, that's it."

Then slowly, a large silhouette appeared in front of her. The little girl still sit there lifelessly, only until that person pick her up and place her into their chest, a faint shock expression slowly form on her pale face, a sign that she's still alive. For a few seconds, she panicked, and it seems like she also made that person panicked too.

"Hey now, don't panick along with her! You were supposed to comfort the child, _____!"

Slowly, a large hand awkwardly pat on her back, making the small child flinch due to the sudden contact. But after a while, her body relaxed and gradually melted into their chest. The little girl unconsciously rest her head on their shoulder while slowly drifted to sleep, a peaceful expressions reflected on her face.

The last thing she saw behind their back was a pair of glowing magenta orbs before everything went black.

RELATIONSHIPS ( in Alice's opinion )

Heartslabyul

🌹 Riddle Rosehearts: "W-Well, Rosehearts-san might looks strict, but... I think deep down, he's a kind person...! A-Also, he seems to be fond of sweets, though he doesn't show it outside... *giggles* I also admire him for how responsible and serious he is with his works...! And... I'm glad that he still keep the pin that I gave him...!"

❤️ Ace Trapola: "H-He's actually a reliable underclassman, but sometimes his words are quite harsh... A-Also, I hope that he get along with Rosehearts-san more since they sometimes kept arguing...And I felt a little embarrassed that he always calling me "Chibi-senpai"... *sigh*"

♠️ Deuce Spade: "A-A very reliable underclassman...! He also seems to be very serious about works, w-which I'm glad that we have hard-working underclassmen in Heartslabyul too...! Though, he can be a little too serious sometimes... *giggles*"

♦ Cater Diamond: "He's actually... one of the upperclassmen that welcomed me to Heartslabyul with open arms...! T-Though I felt quite embarrassed when he post pictures with me in it on MagiCam... Diamond-san alao help me out whenever I asked him, so he's quite reliable too...!"

♣ Trey Clover: "L-Like Diamond-san, he's also one of the upperclassmen that welcomed me with open arms...! T-Though I didn't trust him at first, he surprised me of how kind he is...! I-I also really admire his baking skills and often asked him for advice too...!"

Savanaclaw

🦁 Leona Kingscholar: "H-He's a little scary in my opinion... I-I also think he's a little hard to approach... Maybe I shouldn't made him mad..."

🐆 Ruggie Bucchi: "He is... Well... Easy to approach...? I-I did share some classes with him and he did help me sometimes, so I think he's a kind person...! His ears also look very cute...! *giggles*"

🐺 Jack Howl: "W-Whenever I stand next to him I felt like I got shorter... Aside from that, he's also quite reliable...! At first, I thought he's a little scary but after I talked to him, he's actually very nice...! A-Also, his tail looks very cute...! *giggles*"

Octavinelle

🐙 Azul Ashengrotto: "Even though he's quite nice when I talk to him, I felt like something is wrong... Sometimes, he kept staring at my keys when I wasn't looking, which is a little worrying...B-But he is very smart though, I really admire his alchemy skills...!"

🦈 Floyd Leech: "H-He almost gave me a heart attack when I first met him...! I hope that he stop hugging me or calling my name so suddenly whenever he saw me in public... I-It's really embarrassing even when I think about it... But he sometimes help me a lot with school works so I guess that he's a smart person too...?"

🐬 Jade Leech: "U-Unlike Floyd-san, Jade-san is very nice whenever I talk to him...! He also doesn't seems to hesitate when I asked him to help me with something... B-But, somehow, I felt like he is hiding something...?"

💄Alisa Whiterose: "W-Well, since she's my sister so I respect her a lot...! Although I felt embarrassed when I take a picture with her... H-Her fashion sense are very good though, I wonder why she didn't got sorted into Pomefiore...?"

Scarabia

🕌 Kalim Al-asim: "He seems to be a very energetic person... A-A little too energetic... But he's nice and friendly, so I don't felt uncomfortable when I talk to him...!"

🐍 Jamil Viper: "A mysterious person... He seems to be always around Al-asim-san for most of the time, I guess it's because they're friends...? I also admire his cooking skills too, so sometimes I asked him for advices...!"

Pomefiore

👑 Vil Schoenheit: "W-When I first met him, I got stunned by how beautiful he looks...! Even though I don't really like make-up but I appreciate his advice to improve my appearance...! I also like his hair color because it's really pretty...!"

🏹 Rook Hunt: "A weird person... To be honest... W-Whenever I walk past him in the hallway he always call me with a strange name that I couldn't understand... But, I respect the fact that he also adore beautiful things...!"

🍎Epel Felmier: "O-Out of all the members in Pomefiore, I think Felmier-san is the easiest person to approach...! He also teach me a lot about apples, which made me actually plant an apple tree...! *giggles* H-His fruit carving skills are also very beautiful, I really, really like it...!"

Ignihyde

💀 Idia Shroud: "H-He's a little gloomy in my opinion... If only he become more talkative then perhaps I could approach him easier..."

🤖 Ortho Shroud: "H-He looks very cool...! I've never seen a robot in my life before so I was really impressed by how pretty he look...! He's also very friendly and kind too so I felt at ease whenever I talk to him...!"

Diasomnia

🐉 Malleus Draconia: "I-I don't know why, but whenever I saw him, my chest got tighten up for no reason... His eyes looks so familiar too, I wonder why...? A-Also, he might seems like a cold person, but it's not the truth at all...! In fact... He reminded me of a child a little bit...! *giggles*"

🦇 Lilia Vanrouge: "I-I actually thought he look quite young for his age... *giggles* And I don't know why, but his eyes give me a strange feeling, just like when I look at Draconia-san... Aside from that, he's very knowledgeable...! I really admire him about that...!"

⚔️ Silver: "W-When I first met him, I almost tripped on his feet...! To me, he is quite mysterious and somewhat hard to approach though... B-But if it's possible I would like to talk more with him...!"

⚡Sebek Zigvolt: "H-He almost gave me a heart attack whenever he shout at me out of nowhere...! And it seems like he respect Draconia-san a lot too...! B-But it seems like he doesn't like it much when I talk to him or Vanrouge-san, I wonder why...?"

Others

🌻Mary Merveilles: "S-She is one of the first person to become my friend so I really respect her...! I also admire her because she always stay positive, even when come across troubles... If only I could be more cheerful like her..."

🐱 Grim: "A-A very cute cat...! I love the feeling of touching his fur and pet his ears because it's very soft...! *giggles* Though it'll be better if he stop causing trouble around the school..."

🌙 Luana Crowley: "W-When I first met her, I was surprised by how mature she looks...! And not to mention, she also talk like a true lady too...! I really, really admire the Vice Headmaster and I hope I can talk confidently like her someday...!"

Dire Crowley: "H-His masks looks very mysterious... I felt like he is hiding something, but I just can't tell what it is... I wonder why...?"

Mozus Trein: "L-Lucius-san is very, very cute...! Ah! I wasn't supposed to talk about him huh... *giggles* it's just that Trein-sensei's cat is very cute so I couldn't help it... His words are quite easy to understand, so I guess I can say he's a good teacher...?"

Divus Crewel: "H-His appearance is very... unique...? Even though I sometimes got scared of the stick that he kept carrying around, his lessons are actually quite easy to understand...! T-Though I would prefer it more if he stop calling me a "puppy"..."

Sam: "A-At first, I thought he's a weird person, but he's actually a cool person...! Not only did his shop contain lots of nice things, he's also very friendly too...! I-I often come to his shop to buy ingredients or new kind of paper for origami...!"

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TRIVIA:

+ *: Goma stands for ゴマフビロードウミウシ "Gomafubirodoumiushi" which is a type of sea slug that known for its fluffiness and cuteness in Japan and other Asia countries. It can also be called "Sea bunny" in English.

+ **: "Shiro" mean white in Japanese, Cater probably referencing to her hair color

+ ***: This is not her actual birthday. It's the day when she was found in the backstory. Her real birthday is unknown ( She doesn't even remembered when she was born )

+ Her name, "Alice" is a reference to "Alice Liddell" - the main character of "Alice in Wonderland" series while her last name is a reference to the (supposedly) white roses in the Rose Maze

+ While her profile stated that her homeland is Rose Kingdom, her backstory actually revealed that it's not her true origin.

+ In Alice's school uniform R card's personal story, she stated that the Heart key was a gift of someone she cherished until now.

+ She actually joined the Science club just to be able to take care of the school's garden easier

+ When she's bored, she will unconsciously do origami. It's one of her habit and hobby

+ Which is the reason why she often carrying around a small stack of colorful paper in her pocket

+ If you want to look for her, she'll usually be around the Rose Maze or the Botanical Garden. Alice also occasionally at the library too.

+ Her room have lots of decorations made from papers

+ She eats quite a lot but only when she's alone. Alice does stated that she doesn't want others to know about her appetite.

Will add more facts in the future~

----------------❄️-----------------

...And that's it! I actually decided to redesign one of my first child, Alice and give her a more detailed backstory! To all of you who read until the very end, I'm very, very thankful 💞💞💞 Also, I'll post all OCs related posts in this blog from now on while my other blog: @twststrash will mainly about rebloging and other stuffs!

Also, after finished her Ceremonial Robe, I realized what my true nightmare is: drawing detailed patterns. God I hope I won't draw it again after finished redesign all of my current OCs -w- Anyway, peace~!

[recentanimenews]

From Bakeneko to Bakemonogatari: The Secret History of Catgirls

It’s a question society has asked for ages: what came first, the cat or the girl?

The catgirl is one of the most resilient images in anime today. However, even the term “catgirl” is a little vague. Close your eyes and try to imagine what that word actually means. Did you think of a girl, but with cat ears? Did she have a tail? Does she have a verbal tic? Was she — by some mystical, scientific, or by some other supernatural occurrence — able to transform into an actual cat? If you said yes or no to any of those questions, are we still talking about the same kind of “catgirl”?

The answer is no one really knows. But that hasn’t stopped people from trying to investigate the origins of this immensely popular character type. Does such a thing as "the first catgirl" truly even exist?

Black Hanekawa as she appears in Nekomonogatari

What We Talk About When We Talk About Catgirls

Broadly speaking, characters with animal ears are described as kemonomimi, which literally means animal ears. What about catgirl etymology? As expected, characters with cat ears are described as nekomimi, aka cat ears. The term nekomusume (cat girl or daughter, literally) has also been used, which is also notably the name of the character Neko-Musume from Shigeru Mizuki’s popular 1960s supernatural manga GeGeGe no Kitarō. Ralph F. McCarthy, the first to translate Kitarō in a bilingual edition published by Kodansha in 2002, localized this name as “Catchick.” This is all to say, the invented euphemism “catgirl” is just one of many used to describe the same thing: a cat-like girl who may or may not claw your eyes out with a mischievous smirk.

Mizuki's Neko-Musume is based on the bakeneko, an evil cat spirit who is sometimes able to change between human and feline form. Folklorist Matthew Meyer describes bakeneko as beginning their lives as regular house cats, but later accumulating more human-like traits as they mature. In many stories, they are depicted as lapping up the blood of murder victims, thereby granting them supernatural powers. Of course, they aren’t to be mistaken with nekomata — twin-tailed cat spirits, like Yōkai Watch’s Jibanyan. Much like the rest of Mizuki’s yōkai characters inspired by Japan’s supernatural folklore, Mizuki’s bakeneko are the byproduct of creative license. Neko-Musume doesn’t have cat ears like we might expect them today, but technically she fits the bill for a supernatural entity. Like modern-day big-eyed catgirls, your mileage may vary.

Detail from Utagawa Kuniyoshi's nekozuka print

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, a woodblock artist born in 1798, is well-known for his many cat-centric prints. One of his most renowned projects was a series of prints depicting the 1827 kabuki drama, Traveling Alone to the Fifty-three Stations. In 1852, Kuniyoshi printed a depiction of actor Onoe Kikugorō III as one of the play’s most memorable characters, the nekozuka, a cat monster living in Okazaki assuming the form of a human woman. Kuniyoshi draws this specter with two very noticeable cat ears — a statement that this is a suspicious supernatural entity. This same motif reoccurs in other Kuniyoshi works, noticeably a woodblock triptych depicting the same actor as a cat creature. Again, those notorious ears appear.

Onoe Kikugorō III illustrated by artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Is Kuniyoshi’s flair for fantastic flourish the missing link? The secret origin of all catgirls who ever dared meow in the modern age? Well, it’s a little more complicated than that.

Will the Real Catgirls Please Stand Up?

The bakeneko is but just one entry in Japanese folklore’s long love affair with cats. In contemporary media, the concept of a cat-influenced woman is seen in many horror films. In an entry on bakeneko for The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Films, scholar Michael Crandol writes: "Bakeneko tales were the single most popular subject of Japanese horror films from the dawn of cinema through the 1960s, with more than sixty such pictures released by 1970.” With films as early as 1938’s The Ghost Cat and The Mysterious Shamisen, to post-war modern classics like 1968’s Kuroneko, the bakeneko sub-genre in Japanese horror is a testament to its ubiquity. Not to mention the allure of mysterious intrigue.

Kaneto Shindo's Kuroneko asks the universal question: will my cat eat me when I die?

From this perspective, the origins of catgirls seem quite hairy. In fact, looking solely through the lens of the traditional bakeneko narrative is extremely limiting. Surely they all aren’t evil women possessed by vengeful spirits? So what else?

In May 2019, independent cartoonist Keiichi Tanaka posted a thread on Twitter asking about the possible origins of the catgirl design proper:

猫耳の元祖って『綿の国星』？ 人間の顔で頭の上に猫の耳、このデザインってそれ以前にあった？

— はぁとふる倍国土 (@keiichisennsei) May 16, 2019

Among the replies included Osamu Tezuka’s character Hecate, a shape-shifting young witch who transforms into a half-humanoid, half-cat creature from the 1950s manga Princess Knight. Others mention Kuniyoshi’s cat-eared nekozuka woodblock prints, alongside the introduction of the classic Playboy Bunny costume in Japan. At first, it seems like Yumiko Ōshima’s manga Star of Cottonland may be the point of origin, but perhaps it’s not so easy to pin down. Did Tezuka, like so many innovations in early anime and manga, do it first? Are catgirls perhaps an underappreciated relic of the Edō period? What about classic '80s shōjo manga?

Feline magic in Tezuka's Princess Knight

Like many great debates in art history, the conclusion is ambiguous. Some might say Kuniyoshi unintentionally invented “catgirls” in the 19th century. Others may say Tezuka refined the concept, but Ōshima popularized the idea of cat ears on cute girls. If we examine catgirls strictly through the lens of anime and manga, the ambiguity and debate regarding "origins" become less of a fuzzy headache. Rather, we can re-frame the question: What works possibly helped catgirls bloom into the anime and manga-centric phenomenon we know and love today?

Chibi Neko, a cat who believes she is a girl

Ōshima’s Star of Cottonland was serialized in shōjo magazine LaLa from 1978 to 1987. The protagonist, Chibi Neko, is a kitten who views herself as a little girl. Because of this, the story is illustrated from her perspective and depicts her as human, with the caveat of having cat ears. In her 1995 book, Phänomen Manga: Comic-Kultur in Japan, scholar Jaqueline Berndt points to Ōshima being the possible originator of this now massively popular trope. In 1984, Star of Cottonland was adapted into OVA by Mushi Production, the animation studio famously known for adapting many of Tezuka’s major works.

Meanwhile, another OVA debuted in 1984: Bagi, the Monster of Mighty Nature. This was an original production written by Tezuka himself in response to gene recombination research approval by the Japanese government. Most famously, it featured an anthropomorphic feline woman named Bagi, who is undeniably more cat than girl. Bagi attempts to gain vengeance on humanity while simultaneously forging a troubled relationship with the action-hero male protagonist. While the Star of Cottonland OVA saw a limited home release, Bagi was broadcasted via the Nippon Television Network as a TV special.

Twin cyberpunk catgirls from Masamune's Dominion

Star of Cottonland and Bagi couldn’t be more thematically different, nonetheless, they both depend on catgirls for their worldbuilding. Masamune Shirow’s 1985 science-fiction manga, Dominion, follows a similar trend with its portrayal of android catgirls in a gritty cyberpunk setting. Adapted into a 1988 OVA series, Dominion: Tank Police features two puma twins, Anna and Uni, catgirls created as sentient love dolls. With their wild hair and overtly sexualized design, they undoubtedly have more in common with Tezuka’s violent Bagi than Ōshima’s initial cat-eared girls. They are, for lack of a better word, an otaku’s modern catgirl with their feral bloodthirst intact.

A Catgirl for All Seasons

A feature from Kadokawa’s Davinci News’ anime department titled "We Investigated ‘Why Are Nekomimi Girls So Cute’” draws attention to the 2013 Fall anime season. Namely, ear and tail-equipped characters from Outbreak Company and Nekomonogatari. What’s the appeal of animal-eared girls, where did they come from, and why are they so seemingly trendy now? Again, Kuniyoshi’s fearsome kabuki portraits are mentioned, however with an important caveat: Kuniyoshi's cat ears were meant to strike fear, not inspire charm. The same could be said for the post-war boom in bakeneko films and their scream queen actresses. The article’s author even suggests that the prominence of the Playboy Bunny outfit, with its appeal to the uppercrust of society and cute tail, might’ve also added to a flourishing nekomimi cosplay craze. At some point, the strangeness of the concept became secondary to cute novelty.

Koyomi confronts the Sawari Neko possessing Hanekawa

This observation points out an important contemporary trend: ornamental catgirls, aka eyecandy, verus catgirls with a narrative purpose. Peak catgirl is somehow balancing both acts. Characters like Bakemonogatari’s Tsubasa Hanekawa — a high schooler who is possessed by the Sawari Neko spirit — unintentionally create the night-prowling, cat-eared alter-ego named “Black Hanekawa.” Black Hanekawa may perhaps be the modern mash-up of bakeneko tradition and otaku catgirl-ness we've long awaited. She speaks in cat-puns, obviously not human, and is most importantly a fearsome supernatural nuance. But on the flip-side, Black Hanekawa is everything we expect from the otaku’s catgirl: ears on top of her head, an eccentric personality, and a desire to exaggerate those feline quirks whenever possible for cuteness' sake.

ฅ(*ΦωΦ*)ฅ

  The modern catgirl’s sensibility is to be a girl first, cat second. While hints of this archetype is seen in Shirow’s 1980s catgirl love androids, early 2000s series like Di Gi Charat and Tokyo Mew Mew have only further pushed this specific everyday flavor of catgirl agenda. Especially considering the infectious prevalence of mascot characters like Dejiko, a chibified catgirl with lucky cat bells on character goods stores across Akihabara. It’s no wonder they’ve effectively lost all their unncanniness. But besides the cultural context — there’s no real reason why cat ears just can’t be cute in themselves.

Dejiko and company promoting a GAMERS character goods store in Akihabara

Nowadays, you don’t have to look very hard to find a cat-eared character. Series like Re:Zero famously feature characters like Felix, whose cat-like qualities are part of the lore. Nintendo series like Fire Emblem have even newly added a “beast” race of animal-eared characters. Not to mention the massive popularity of franchises like Strike Witches and Kemono Friends in recent years, catgirls undoubtedly draw massively passionate fanbases. No matter where they came from, catgirls in all shapes and sizes, clawed, and de-clawed, have never stopped turning heads. The nyapocalypse is here to stay, fur-real.

Do you have a favorite catgirl of all time? Let us knyaow in the comments below!

  Blake P. is a weekly columnist for Crunchyroll Features. He thinks Cats (the musical) deserves a proper anime adaptation. His twitter is @_dispossessed. His bylines include Fanbyte, VRV, Unwinnable, and more.

Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[creaturecarnival]

Gogomaggedon Part 2

[Part 1]

It’s time for part two of our Gogo’s Crazy Bones Series 1 and 2 review! Let’s-a go!

Name: Helly

Description: The fastest Gogo. His helmet helps him to go breathtakingly fast.

Ability: Continuous Sprint

Now, I would like to point out here that the way Helly’s head tapers in the back is actually something that all Gogos share to some extent, but apparently his is just that much better. I really dig the Nidoking-like finger nubs, and I love that they made him a cyclops. I think the only thing I can really think of that I’d change would be to make the flesh-colored parts black, so the eye looked like it was peering out of darkness. But what helmet-based character design wouldn’t be improved by the tried-and-true eyes-in-a-void look?

3/5

Name: Heled

Description: He robotized his brain to think super fast.

Ability: Mental Dexterity

… ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ʰᶦᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶦⁿᵗᵒ ᵃ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ. ᶠᵘⁿⁿᶦᵉˢᵗ ˢʰᶦᵗ ᴵ’ᵛᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉⁿ. Oh hey, didn’t see you there! I was just muttering to myself under my breath. Nothing in particular. Anyway, it would seem that physical speed was not enough for Heled, and he opted to “robotize” his brain. That’s some mad scientist shit. I respect the dedication. Not much has changed in terms of design, but just replacing the cyclopic eye with a red visor is enough to bring this design up a notch for me.

4/5

Name: Skull

Description: He looks mysterious and when you least expect it, he'll do something funny to make you jump.

Ability: Spooky Skills

Skull is a chibi skeleton. That’s all I got, honestly. He’s just nice to look at! 

4/5

Name: ...Skull???

If you thought this was just another Series 2, think again! Remember when I said Series 1 had a gimmick? Well, this is it, baby! Series 1 included 15 “Wanted” and 5 “Most Wanted” figures, which were alternate paint jobs of a select few Gogos. Look at this epic gamer bro! I really love the hot pink on gray here, and the controller positioned like the D-pad and buttons are his eyes is a really cool visual. The fact that he’s also a skeleton is pretty kickass as well, and so I will bestow upon him my first perfect rating!

5/5

Name: Sker

Description: He's naive and everything seems weird to him.

Ability: Curiosity

Sker on the other hand… I’m really not a fan of. I think he could really stand to have a mouth of some kind or at least do away with the weird asymmetrical nostrils. Also, where the inclusion of rib-markings on Wanted Skull upped the cool factor, here it just grosses me out and reminds me of Machop, which for me is not a good thing. Sorry Machop/Sker fans!

1.5/5

Name: Angiru

Description: Tell Angiru your secrets and they will be safe forever.

Ability: Keeps secrets

Doodoo-doot-do-doo-dootdoot-doot-doot! It’s a haunted doll watch. I love Angiru. That big ‘ol head? It’s full of secrets. I’d tell them mine for sure. They seem like they’d be a good listener. As for the design... look, I just like creepy button-eyed dolls. I blame Coraline.

4/5

He’s also got a Most Wanted form and WOW! What a fresh look! Even though these sticker pictures are not usually 100% emblematic of the actual quality of the product in question, I just cannot get over this paint job.

5/5

Name: Angor

Description: Night mysteries are no secret to Angor.

Ability: Insomnia

There’s something really hilariously sad about the one-two combo of the description and ability, like Angor is referring to themself in the third person, trying to sound all broody and mysterious, when actually they just have a hard time falling asleep. I also kind of love the framing of a sleep disorder as an “ability”. All that aside, Angor is a nice take on the Angiru mold, even though it doesn’t exactly leave much room for interpretation, with the button eyes pretty much dooming any new takes to land squarely in “haunted doll” territory, which means in this case, a haunted doll that is also somehow a vampire. 

4/5

Name: Umu

Description: Likes to visit the swimming pool everyday to think up new ideas.

Ability: Intelligent Swimming

Other than the fact that his name makes a funny face, there’s not much I can really say about Umu. I do love me some semicircular half-lidded cartoon eyes, but that’s kind of all their design’s got going for it. Maybe if there was a little more detail on the upper half of the head instead of just a big white whatever, I’d be neutral, but as it is, Umu’s design is just a bit lacking.

2.5/5

Name: Tai-Umu

Description: With the points of his mouth-star he chews the hardest things.

Ability: Star Scream

Ooh, what a glow up, though! Initially, I read the star shape as a nose, like a star-nosed mole; and while I think I’d prefer if that were the case, I like it as a horrifying all-consuming maw as well, even if I’m not even sure how to read it as a mouth at all. I wish him the best in his attempts to gain supreme leadership over the Decepticons.

4.5/5

Name: Aiko

Description: The Gogo with the best sense of smell. Can detect a smell from a mile away.

Ability: Wonder Nose

Smelling, huh? Alright! I would’ve assumed their thing would’ve been more electricity-related, given the jaggedy lines, and I actually thought of them as a Pikachu-adjacent electric rodent (just gettin’ all the Pokeymans in this review, I guess) when I was but a wee Crazy Boner. They’ve got a pretty cute little face, though, with lovely beady teardrop-shaped eyes and stylized flourishes adorning their skin.

4/5

Name: Koku-Chan

Description: He must go to the barber everyday because his hair grows while he plays.

Ability: Manic Hair

Yeah, this one’s not doing it for me. I don’t like how the mouth fuses with the hair, or whatever’s going on with that shape down there. The head-shape really doesn’t lend itself well to reinterpretations, either, with the nub where Aiko’s nose was making for a rather ugly bump on Koku-Chan’s chin that interrupts a design that I think would be okay otherwise.

1/5

That’s all for part 2! Thanks for reading!

[edorazzi]

Well, here we are again! Twitter said yes to a review post for a Miraculous magazine that suddenly showed up in my local area. ‘Tis the season after all, and by that I mean someone bought it for me as a joke birthday gift and I was way too happy about that.

I’ve done previous reviews of the Miraculous Christmas calendar, Easter egg set, superhero fashion dolls and action figures, so let’s dive into the unknown world of merchandising yet again!

(As always, if you enjoy my posts, please consider checking out my Twitter page or supporting me on Patreon for lots of bonus content!)

4 FREE GIFTS! PACKED WITH ACTIVITIES! MEET THE KWAMIS! PRANKS & LOLS! CUT-OUT MEMES! FANGIRL ALERT! NAIL ART! 100% OFFICIAL! I’m overwhelmed! It feels like I’m having a seizure just from the packaging!!! 

I should preface this by saying I haven’t bought a magazine like this in years. Possibly ever. I read things like the Beano, Animals & You and the odd Disney Princess zine when I was a kid but I have no idea what to expect from a free-gift-packed kiddie magazine in 2019. If the outside is anything to go by we’re in for a wild ride.

I’m noticing that it says “Miraculous #20″ on the back. Does this mean I’ve missed 19 previous issues? I’m genuinely a little upset by that. My local area is a complete dry zone for Miraculous so I haven’t had the chance to pick these up.

First step: let’s separate everything out and get a look at these freeeee giftssss. Except they aren’t free, because this magazine was like £3.99. This does seem to be the current trend - it’s kinda rare to see any kids’ zines without the excess packaging crammed with ‘free’ stuff. Is it really too expensive to just produce the magazine? Probably, in this economy.

Chat Noir is revealed on the cover! He was on the back of the plastic jacket, but it’s still nice to see the kids as a front-cover duo. Apparently we’re going to learn to draw Pollen, too, which sounds fun. I’m actually liking the look of the gifts as well, but we’ll get into those in a minute.

This hairbrush............. is adorable. Oh my god. It’s pretty cheap and flimsy but it functions the way it’s supposed to, and the Ladybug design has been taken into account in a better way than “it’s red/black, that counts” (lest we forget the UTTER BULLSHIT of the Christmas calendar, and YES I’m still mad about that). I don’t know how well I expect the outer sticker to last, but if it can take a bit of wear and tear this would be an adorable little travel brush. Nicely done, lads!

These nail stickers? Also adorable. They remind me of the kiddie makeup sets I had when I was little, back in the early 00s when plastic stick-on nails and decals were all the rage. Are they still a thing? That’s nice to know.

There are 13 designs (that I can count) - a Queen Bee mask, Chat Noir pawprint cake, macaron, cupcake, heart-print cookie, Ladybug stud, flower, lightning bolt, love heart, Marinette heart, bee, fox tail and star. The majority are directly related to the show and that makes them feel special. No Carapace though? :(

I’ve put a little Marinette heart on my furthest finger. At the time of typing this up (about a day later) it’s still firmly in place. I haven’t really knocked it around, granted, but it’s not flimsy enough to fall off after five minutes either. It’s also really cute to look at. Guess I’m still a decal-loving 2004 girl at heart......

These stickers though!!! Wow! They’re those holographic and slightly-puffy kind and they feel like pretty good quality, and the designs are so cute! I can’t fault these, they’re absolutely adorable. I immediately want to stick them everywhere.

So I’ve stuck them everywhere. I’m especially proud of the light switch pun. My room looks GREAT.

I saved these “mystery stickers” for last because I’m weak for the thrill of mystery bags, and there wasn’t anything on the packaging to indicate what kind of designs to expect. And OH!!!! OH, IT’S MY BOY!!!! Look at him!!!! 

I made jokes with the Christmas calendar about all the Chat Noir items being stolen ahead of time, but that’s definitely NOT the case with this magazine. I have been SPOILED with the presence of my cat son.

These stickers are similar to the sticker sheet (and the Chillin’ Out design is reprinted), but they’re puffier and non-holographic. I’m deeply allured by the “decorate your phone or tablet” suggestion on the packet, but I’m going to see how the previous stickers withstand the wear-and-tear of my laptop lid before adding any more. If I damage these beautiful Adrien stickers I’ll be devastated.

Those are our free gifts! They’re actually very fun and cute, I’m really happy with them! I guess now it’s time to get into the magazine itself...........

I genuinely almost forgot the magazine was the main part of this package. I figured I was done, but we’ve barely even started! Here’s a splash page of the kwami. Kwami with a capital K? Kwamis? I still feel like it should be singular-lower-case-k-kwami. I’ve never been happy about this “miraculouses” business either.

But is that--

It IS!!!! It’s Nino!!! 

I guess this is the new flavour of Miraculous tie-ins. Now they’ve broadened out to a full team we’re seeing a lot more of Adrien alongside the girls, and Nino is the elusive hero who shows up once in a blue moon. At least this time his name isn’t in the title of the gotdam show.......

Anyway, I can see I’m supposed to draw my “fave Kwami”. Better get to it.

Felix just wants a break. Just one break. But not in this magazine.

Speaking of seeing more of Adrien (and, tragically, less of Nino), this is the kind of splash page I want to see! Both kids are here! The banner themed with Marinette’s signature flowers is a nice touch too; that’s associated with her arts ‘n’ crafts in the show already and it makes sense to apply it to the creative portion of this magazine too.

I LOVE the promotion of Chat Noir nails as something the little girls buying this magazine will definitely want to try. I’d expect them to do Marinette vs Ladybug nails, but instead we get a boyish option! Hell yeah!

I’m a little confused by the Queen Bee masks apparently going on the Chat Noir nails though. I guess they’re friends? Is this secret AdriChlo confirmation? Watch out, Marinette, Kagami’s not the one to be worried about.

SURE WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOME TURTLE STICKERS FOR AN ALL-BOYS THEME BUT I GUESS NOT HUH

Next up is a short merch catalogue (why would you put the big bold arrow pointing right to the underoos.....). Would those Chat Noir socks come in my size? Asking for me.

Then there’s......... this page. FANGIRL ALERT. God. It’s like the Ladyblog, if only the Ladyblog ever gave a heck about reporting what Chat Noir’s up to.

THE SPELL WAS BROKEN AND THE FANDOM IMPLODED WITH JOY.

I really have to wonder what age range this is meant for. Do kids know what a “fandom” is? Do little girls consider themselves “fangirls”? I guess most kids have enough internet access to figure it out these days (all the hashtags and LOLs and memes speak volumes), but I can’t imagine being young enough to fit the target range of this magazine while also knowing these terms. I dunno.

(Also, the definition of ‘implosion’ is ‘an instance of something collapsing violently inwards’, so I’m not sure that’s the word they’re looking for. Unless the return to the status quo in Dark Cupid and the continuing stagnation of the love square was enough to make people quit in frustration? Probably.)

I’m filling it in, of course. Because I must.

I gave up on the pre-approved ratings system pretty much right away, but I think this is an accurate rating of my LadyNoir opinions. 

I might be kinda cynical about it here, but I am actually pretty fond of how this magazine sells Ladybug and Chat Noir as a couple. The show’s portraying it as very onesided lately, with Chat pining over Ladybug who has absolutely no interest in him (Glaciator was a TERRIBLE episode and I’m still hurting from it), but reading this zine I’d guess they were already dating. It’s cheesy, but in a nice way.

I have to laugh at “the most amazing thing about this super duo is that they always look out for and protect each other” though. Chat’s usually pretty focused on LB, sure, but there are endless instances of LB using Chat as cannon fodder and just generally abandoning him to get mauled by akuma while she carries out her personal private plan to save the day. Maybe we’re just focusing on the better-written episodes, huh?

Moving ahead. I’ve been dreading this page since reading “Plaggs Pranks & LOLs” on the back of the packaging. I feel hatred in my very bones just looking at it.

I like that there’s ONE instance of the term “ladybird” in the joke column. This is a UK-based magazine and that IS the word we tend to use over here - “ladybug” is an Americanism - but it’s like they’re worried kids could have got to the middle of this magazine about a superhero named Ladybug and then not understand the bug jokes. Maybe whoever was writing this page slipped up?

OH NOOOOO. MARINETTE, NOOOOOOOOOO.

THIS IS WHY FELIX GOT RID OF YOU, PLAGG. THESE ARE ADRIEN’S PROBLEMS NOW.

(mmm whatcha saaaaay)

I mean........... YEAH, I guess, but we absolutely did see Plagg destroy Felix with an entire shelf of heavy books. I guess he’s nicer with Adrien. It’s all fun and games until someone has a nervous breakdown in the library.

I do love the concept of Tikki getting glitter-bombed by Plagg through the mail. She just curiously opens up the little letter which got slipped into Marinette’s purse, and-- WOOSH. One entire wall of Mari’s room is glittery except for a little Tikki-shaped silhouette. 

Next up is a two-page comic which is absolutely adorable! Look at those little chibis! The warm and soft colour palette! This is nicer than most of the official Miraculous comic book art I’ve seen, I hope they keep giving this artist work.

Nino’s here too (and he looks great!), and I like the touch of Marinette and Adrien playing as each other’s superhero characters. Adrien even wins the match, though I guess there’s something to be said about Ladybug beating Chat Noir (again)...... 

It does raise the question yet again of where this tie-in merchandise is coming from! They’ve had action figures, a movie, music video features, now an arcade game... Who’s getting the royalties here? Who’s profiting? Is this how Fu can afford to buy all those rare ingredients for the magic potions?

Over the page we have an activity to Design your Secret Lair! Right away I love the Marinette theme of the page, the soft pink and flowers, and the drawing space looking like a page in a binder with marker tabs and everything.

I have to design my secret lair, of course: 

What do you think? I’m very creative. I’ll need an adult to send in the drawing of my hideout but I think I’ve really got a shot at those unicorn headphones.

Now we’re on to puzzles and character pages. I don’t know what ol’ Gabe is doing trying to meet a 13 year old girl in the dead of night without telling anyone, you’d think if he’s got that much free time on his hands he could be spending it with his son.

I don’t know how those points in Ladybug’s power profile are awarded or what they mean, but you can tell this is a fan magazine. Official sources would have put her at a 10.

Standard House of Villains page! Most of these were good episodes but I’m deeply offended Riposte isn’t on here. Maybe her motives weren’t dramatic and cartoonish enough to be up in the ranks with Glaciator and Gorizilla?

“Cat Noir’s dad is also the evil Hawk Moth”, huh? I mean that’s not WRONG, but is it really something to put in his power profile when Adrien doesn’t even know yet??? Feels like we’re kinda jumping the gun on the poor boy. What if he picks up this magazine?

Apparently he’s one point weaker than Ladybug (seriously???), two points faster, equally as agile, one point less skilled and two points less cool. Despite all those lesses he still comes out at an equal 9, which is a relief! These kids are a team, putting either of them below the other would have been a big no.

I did the colouring page too, naturally. Je suis un artiste.

Now we’ve got a page fresh from the Ladyblog, a Miraculous quiz! Not a lot of excitement, but it’s nice to see Alya getting her own section.

I like that the qualifications of “you could be Ladybug herself!” are knowing what city Marinette lives in and what school she goes to. Well done, Mari! You’re doing your best!!!

TEACHER I AM SO HUNGRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I gotta say, I’m not so sure about decorating donuts with fondant. I’ve never tried it so I could be wrong, but it feels like rolled icing instead of frosting(?) would be too heavy for an entire donut. The texture is totally different.

I mean I guess if you’re going to load your kids up on sugar you might as well go all the way. They’re going to look like they’ve eaten something horrible with all that black fondant, but they’ll have fun. Adrien would love these.

WHERE’S NINO. THIS IS JUST UNFAIR. You’ll have four out of five heroes, then a double of Marinette and Tikki? Maybe this just goes to show how little memorable dialogue Carapace has.

Though if “Spots On!” is Marinette’s dialogue and not Ladybug’s, why are the other transformation phrases attributed to Rena Rouge and Queen Bee instead of Alya and Chloé? Surely they could have picked something better for Marinette to justify having her on this list twice instead of Nino.

The next page brings us one of those flowchart quizzes! And ouch, yet again the absence of the other heroes is obvious. I can understand not including Chloé here since she’s technically not a “friendly” character yet, but no Nino? Alya and Marinette are close friends, but Adrien doesn’t really hang out with them without Nino around. Having the three of them together just seems strange.

I do like the little fashion page! They’re all cute and affordable and easy to find on the high street here. I’d love to see how other issues of this magazine are structured; is there a different fashion spot every time? Styles to channel each individual hero would be adorable.

Moving on to a tutorial for a Ladybug notebook! I would have made this, but I didn’t have the time nor a notebook to stick it to.

Between this and the donuts, it seems weird that these designs are based on, like... an actual beetle, eyes and antennae and all. Shouldn’t it be Ladybug’s symbol? These come across more like “fun animals” arts ‘n’ crafts instead of themed after Miraculous specifically. I think if I made this (or decorated the donuts) I’d miss out the head and match the spot pattern to Ladybug’s symbol. 

The hidden message design is adorable though. I can see this being a craft kids are super proud of.

Another activity page! I didn’t have a go at these but they’re pretty standard. It’s cute that the coded message designs are the same as the stickers and nail decals!

Also, apparently Ladybug’s ‘secret’ is “LB mask + heart + CN mask”, which was (somehow) stolen by Volpina. Is that the secret Hawk Moth was talking about earlier in the magazine? Is he blackmailing Ladybug with revealing she has a crush on Chat Noir? How did Volpina ‘steal’ this secret? Is LadyNoir finally reciprocated???? THIS IS A WHOLE EPISODE IN ITSELF, I NEED ANSWERS--

Next page we have an ad for another girly magazine (Quizzes! LOLs! Celebs! Cringes! Puzzles!). I think I’ll pass, no matter how appealing that giant microphone pen is. 

And a “Miraculous Identity” quiz! Tikki’s apparently super fickle with her wielders, three seasons of relentlessly praising Marinette and now she’s telling us we’re the Chosen Ones. You can’t fool me with those big ol’ eyes.

My inner superhero is Marvellous Fox, by the way. Though yet again I’m noticing we don’t have turtle options...................

And on the back cover... the memes. Oh, sweet lord, the memes. They’re hashtag-SoRelatable! And I can cut them out to keep! Oh boy!!!

Is this what kids do when they have limited internet access? Cut fresh memes out of magazines and carry them around? I need to know.

That’s a very sinister Ladybug at the bottom of the page though. What’s-- What’s she going to do to me if I don’t cut out and keep these memes. Ladybug what are you going to do if I d--

Well that brings us to the end of the magazine! And yet again I’m surprised by how much time it takes to just put a bunch of photos together and write about them.

This is a neat little magazine all in all! The ‘free gifts’ are pretty nice, there’s a fair amount of content and the whole thing is pretty cute for young fans of the show. I could see myself buying this again - if it ever shows up on shelves, Miraculous is so scarce around here that I fully expect it to disappear again after this one issue - just for the free junk, but it would be interesting to see how they’d structure different issues too!

I notice we never did get that promised tutorial on how to draw Pollen; the one advertised on the cover. Was the “draw your favourite Kwami” activity supposed to cover that? I’m not sure that really counts.

If you got this far, thanks for joining me on this Miraculous journey! We’ll meet again whenever I get another piece of weird ML merch to cover. Bien joué!

[cheesedemon]

Sold doll

just having a walk trough memory lane and looking at all the dolls I got rid of at some point

There was Nameless, a 5Star Amy.

I got her for free as a part of an event, I made her character a mysterious elven child that just turned up one day, she was also mute. The doll had great engineering and was super cute, I would definitely recommend if you want a 30cm child doll. I however quickly discovered that I don’t care for child dolls, so she was the first one I sold.

Then there was Zombie Lucy, Resinsoul Mei.

A bit of an embarrassment, she was indeed my first doll, however I did some weird shit with the sealant when I tried to do a faceup, resulting in a thick hard layer of white crap being stuck on her face and joints. I couldn’t find a way to remove it at the time and ordered a new Mei and modded this one into a zombie version of Lucy from an alternate universe where the heroes lost the battle against the Lord of Undeath. I sold her for dirt cheap to a friend in the hobby who really liked that mess of a doll.

Then there was Xun-Riia, a 5Star who’s sculpt I can’t recall.

5Star had some amazing events back in the day, this is another doll I got for free. I even made a poor ear mod on her. Honestly I can’t remember much about the character I made for this doll. She was huge for a 1/4 doll though, her head was almost 1/3 size. the engineering and design of the body also left something to be desired compared to 5Star’s 1/6 and 1/3 dolls, I don’t know if they have made improvident, this was back in 2013. 

Lalena was a Soom Cuprit body with a 5Star Angelo head

She was basically made of spare part, a free event head and a body I had to get with a head I wanted, paired with eyes and wig that I wasn’t using. She was mostly just an ascetics doll, I repainted her a few times before growing bored and selling her.

Lucy #2, my replacement Resinsoul Mei/Fei

I think there’s a valid reason this is a very popular starter doll, she’s very pretty. However my tastes changed and quickly my main doll started to look big headed and child-like compared to the rest of my collection, so she was replaced by a grey Withdoll Angela that I had been wanting for a long time. I still miss having a sleeping head for Lucy though. I gave her to a none hobby friend in hopes of recruiting her, but I’ve pretty much lost contact with her.

Zehelico, Resinsoul Song

He was replaced for similar reasons. He was based of a big square jawed character and the moment Resinsoul introduced Sui/Tang I knew the soft faced Song had to be replaced. The Song doll is still tucked away in my basement, I doubt I’d get much for him.

Ixafey was a Soom Roxen.

She was a very cute doll with some nice assets. However she was my one remaining doll with a huge head, and combined with that rather child-like body, it was getting a bit creepy shelling a rather sexual character in that sculpt. So I sold her.  I wouldn’t mind if Soom released a more adult 1/4 body, I know they made a boob chest for the line, but the head sculpts are still very big eyed and their hands and feet are child proportions.

Dexter was a Soom Puss in Boots

His character was a scruffy 1920′s PD who was also a werecat, I wouldn’t mind reshelling him one day in a smaller scale. To this day he’s the doll I have spent and lost the most money on. I got almost the full set. I decided to get rid of my Soom 1/3 dolls because they were very unwieldy and took a lot of space. I sold him.

Elanor was a Soom Cuprit with a human body.

She was in the same setting as Dexter, she was a nightclub singer and informant, no romantic subplot though. I probably wouldn’t re-shell this one though even if I got a new Dexter, I would just slot in Helfrid in that role as she’s immortal and from the same setting. Obviously I sold her for the same reason as the previous.

Tirahya, Withdoll Angela

Withdoll Angela might be my all time favourite sculpt and I am still very fond of the aesthetic of this doll. However when I got anoter one to shell Lucy, Tirahya kind of fell to the side as she was based on a D&D character concept that I never played, so in the end I made the choice to sell her.

Veps, DreanHigh Chibi Feiline

I got her as a tiny doll I could easily bring around, however even then I didn’t quite know what to do with her after a while, so I gave her to @karla-chans-bjds as a Christmas present, she kept the name and I’m sure a lot of you mainly know her as Karla’s doll anyway.

[lycorogue]

Meet My OCs: Willow (Part 4 – Images)

We've made it to the home stretch! This post should be a lot more fun, though, because you get to literally see Willow! I shared some images here and there throughout this mini-series about Willow, but the vast majority of my images of her will be below. 

Before I continue, how about another quick recap of my Meet My OCs series thus far?

I started up this multi-post series almost exactly a month ago. I had wanted to do something like this for MONTHS, and I'm finally getting my lazy butt in gear. This way, you guys get a chance to learn about these vocal people that have been hanging out in my head for years.

In Part 1 of this series, I introduced the concept, as well as explained the real-world influences that helped me create my two story worlds of Gyateara and Glitches.

Part 2 of the series talked about the inspiration that birthed each of my four main Gyateara characters.

Part 3a did the same, but for my four main teenage Glitches characters.

Part 3b then talked about the Glitches main supportive cast of six adult characters; each one originating as a canonical X-Men character.

Today is Part 4 Day; the official start of the individualized characters' bio posts. I couldn't think of anyone better to start off the next part of the series than my most present character: Willow Driver.

In Meet Willow: Part 1, I shared Willow's background, gave an overview of her personally, and talked about her powers.

Meet Willow: Part 2 focused on her main relationships.

The epic post that made up Meet Willow: Part 3 told her plot line/story arc main events within the play-by-post game X-Future that Willow originated in. The end of the post also discussed which of those main plot events will find their way to my original story Glitches.

Next up, I’ll have a few writing samples to showcase Willow, and I’ll conclude today’s massive series of posts with two customized wrestler entrances I created on Hubby’s WWE13 game. So.. just two more to look out for! 0_0

All caught up? Great! So let's get to the fun of Willow's Multi-media presence. Starting with some more fun art of her.

I know I already shared this in Meet Willow: Part 1, but I love this image of Willow so much I'm going to show it off whenever possible.

Prior to commissioning @edendaphne to draw me the gorgeous above photo, I had some other hand-drawn artwork of Willow. For two different birthdays, @chibisunnie included the X-Future core group for personalized cards she drew me.

Check out the full-quality image on her DeviantArt

Hubby and I routinely pointed out the almost perfect parallels between the “Girl Meets World” characters Lucas, Maya, and Riley and our X-Future characters Chayse, Willow, and Lia, respectively. So Chibi went ahead and drew Chayse, Willow, and Lia as Lucas, Maya, and Riley all hanging out in Riley's bay window.

Check out the full-quality image on her DeviantArt

Last birthday, I wanted Chibi to have my X-Future characters interacting with her Team Giraffe Guy characters. Willow is dancing with her OC Todd, Trish is giving her OC Zahir a mini-heart attack, and Lia is chilling with her OC Bob the Pumpkin Cat from her other original story The Pumpkin Prince.

I still absolutely love how energetic Willow looks in both of these images, and I think Chibi really captured who she is. <3

Prior to the commissioned piece by Eden, or the two works of fanart as birthday cards drawn for me by Chibi, I used doll makers to help me visualize Willow.

My first incarnation of Willow was thanks to a hodge-podge of items designed by ChaZie for her Dollz over on Dollz Mania. (anyone else remember these being huge in the early 2000s?) You see, ChaZie designed easily a hundred different Dollz creators/designers, each of them with their own themes: Halloween, fantasy, fairies, Scene, Kardashians, Lady Gaga, Valentine's Day, etc. Back in 2012, I had spent WEEKS saving nearly every element of nearly every doll designer ChaZie created. I gathered them all into one MASSIVE Photoshop file with nearly all of ChaZie's doll bases, hair, clothing, accessories, pets, etc. That way I wasn't restricted by the designer theme groupings ChaZie created; I could take hair from Lady Gaga, put it with a Halloween costume, and throw on some fairy wings. Using this method of Frankensteining ChaZie's designs, I created a large portion of the early X-Future cast. One of the firsts was, obviously, Willow, shown here in her first X-Men uniform design.

Sorry for the quality. My computer crashed about 3yrs ago, and I lost that ChaZie dollz design master file, so all of the ChaZie design dolls I showcase will be downloads of my posting the images online.

Anyway, once Sebastian was introduced into the X-Future canon, I decided to re-design Willow to see how she might look in the future. So, here is Mama Willow with newborn baby Sebastian, as well as Adult Willow in a much more traditional X-Men uniform as she took on the mantle of one of the Great Protectors.

Finally, a picture of Willow in street clothes while with her brother Shawn. I had already posted this in Meet Willow: Part 2, when I talked about their relationship. However, why not re-share it, right?

A couple of years into playing X-Future, I was introduced to the Chibi Maker doll generator by gen8. (can also be found here) I couldn't resist coming up with Chibi-fied images for the main X-Future characters. Naturally, I went with Willow's classic Cheshire Cat illusion for her chibi verseion.

After losing my ChaZie master file, I tried to rebuild it, but at that point Dollz Mania had shut down. I'm slowly beginning to find ChaZie's doll makers popping up on other websites, but I needed other alternatives for character designs and re-designs. That was when I was introduced to the X-Girl doll maker by Candy. I've had a lot of fun designing characters in this game, and decided to re-designs Willow to give her a more mature look now that she's not 15 anymore.

Hubby and I also tried to re-create, and then re-design, Willow's X-uniform.

I really like how the uniform re-design turned out.

I was fairly content on my representation of Willow with the wide variety of above images. Then, late last year, I started playing the fashion designer mobile game Love, Nikki.

I was just enjoying the game for what it was; not even thinking about X-Future/Glitches. But then I started finding more and more blue and white clothes that made me think “Willow would like that.” Soon that was my mission. I found a few white/silver hair options that I tried out, and aimed for a make-up set that would give me aquamarine eyes. Since hitting my main Willow make-up and hair goals, I've had loads of fun designing and re-designing Willow in the game.

The blue and white striped socks and those blue eyes were what first made me want to find a way to build Willow. I also tried out just about any silver/white hair and blue eyes combo.

After getting the aquamarine eyes I loved, the next trick was trying out the hair styles. There are soooo many platinum-white, white, gray, or silver hair styles in this game! This isn't even all of them; just the ones that seemed Willow-esque. First up was an an attempt to keep Willow's short hair:

Picture #3 was the only one that really worked, and I ran with that hair for a little bit. I just liked the pseudo-punk look of those sharp edges.

A lot more of these could possibly work, although they aren't the Willow I had in my head. Even so, I could picture Willow with hair styles #2, #3, and #4.

I really can't picture Willow growing her hair out so long. It would bother her to have so much of it. However, out of the above pictures, #2 would be close, if it were the right color. Beyond that, I think #4 feels the most like Willow, with #1 being close behind.

Sadly, the ones that are the closest to Willow's hair style are all the wrong color. #1 is almost exactly Willow's hair style, just parted the wrong way; her longer side is over the right eye. Although it's a bit too short, and clearly the wrong color, #2 is at least parted on the correct side, and it does have some blue tips; probably the second closest to her canonical look. I could picture Willow in all of those hair styles, though.

This hair style isn't all that bad, and it is pale, but it's still platinum-blonde instead of Willow’s silver.

After a LOT of working and re-working, I decided this hair style works best. It's short, but not terribly masculine, choppy, or overly fancy. It's also the right shade of silver, and the low-lights in the hair almost look like they're blue. Once I had it figured out, the next trick was the outfit. I had her in this one for quite some time. Then I was playing Love, Nikki during the winter. I also got some coats that would work really well for her. I went formal and fantastical with the cape, and then more canonical and “real world” with the down vest. For both images I also included some extras that made it look like she was creating illusions.

I then had to switch her up for spring:

And again for summer, so this is what she's currently wearing in my game:

We'll see what other kinds of visuals I can make of Willow over the next few months/years.

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Alright, well now that you have a good mental image of what Willow looks like, how about we find out how she talks and acts?

Next up: Meet My OCs: Willow (Part 5 – Stories)