New anime: Shingeki no Kyojin

Being terrificly old and all (28), it takes a lot of convincing nowadays to get me to start watching/reading/listening to something new.  Simply intrigued by the sheer number of Shingeki no Kyojin cosplays I saw at my local convention, I finally looked it up to see what all the hype was about.

Fandom works in weird ways.  Sometimes you end up becoming insanely attached to something everyone you know has already gotten over (Bleach).  Sometimes becoming a fan sneaks up on you until you find yourself immersed in the world of inside jokes, tropes and shipping weirdness and loving it before you know it (Hetalia) And sometimes you become totally indifferent to something you thought you would love. (Legend of Korra, Evangelion 2.0, FMA: Brotherhood)

I tried to start many of the recent big names (Fairy Tail, Code Geass, Black Butler) that were so highly recommended but all of them failed to hook me in the first few episodes.   Then came the indifference. Maybe I was out of touch with anime.  Maybe I was looking too hard or in the wrong places.

Shingeki no Kyojin deserves the hype.  It has action, character development, original concepts and an extra element of horror/gore that captures your attention and adds what other action anime lacks: an actual sense of danger and terrible consequence, making you especially invested in the plot and the characters.  It made me feel very lucky to be discovering it this late in the game because I could marathon the series without interruption, experiencing all the trauma, plot twists, shocking reveals and epic moments one after the other.

Myself as a Shingeki no Kyojin character, so fed up with you romanticizing this horrible nightmare world

As for the fandom, maybe I am too old but I found myself equal parts impressed and disturbed by how lighthearted the Shingeki no Kyojin fanbase seems to be.  It is a dark and violent anime!  And people are still concerned with character attractiveness and pairings?  Really?
I would daresay the stakes are even higher than they were in Evangelion.  The approach even seems more mature, as I can't recall SnK having to resort to fan service.

And finally, maybe it is just me, but of all the anime universes that I have become invested in, the universe of Shingeki no Kyojin is one that I would never want to be a part of.  Seeing cosplayers in the uniform and doing the salute gives me spooky chills, as the anime has iterated many times that wearing that gear and being a soldier means putting your life on the line constantly, always running the risk of becoming fodder for the titans and almost guaranteeing a low chance of survival.  (I know this is not how some cosplayers feel, but I do and can't seem to get around it)

In short, Shingeki no Kyojin is great.  It has incredible production values, a storyline that moves at a great clip and never crawls and a premise that will haunt you... or haunted me at least.
Like, walking home from work at night and having the horrible thought: what if a titan attacked right now...? kind of haunted.  Luckily after a fevered discussion with my husband, it was determined that titans would be no match for our current level of military technology and firepower, and humanity need not be driven to extinction.  
Yet.

memento mori: the conclusion

Yeah, remember how I designed a tattoo of Rukia with memento mori themes?
I got it done!  Yay!  Here is the album.

Biggest tattoo yet, 2 sittings for a total of 4 hrs 45 mins.
I think it turned out great.  The only thing about it was getting used to something so big covering my leg.  But it's pretty much solidified my resolve to become a tattoo covered freak, starting with my legs :) Calves/shins are next!

This will probably be my only 'anime' tattoo, and I don't think I could have chosen a better character.
In my case, my tattoos are about loving something so much and my enthusiasm and belief in them so great that they need to burst out and be manifested into pictures on my skin.  Every one of them gives me kind of a private happiness.
Fuck what anyone else thinks. (unless they think you're a total badass.  That's ok)

Still here, still alive. Still hopin, still shippin

Just a doodle, "The Ecstasy of Kurosaki Ichigo"
Based on Bernini's sculpture Ecstasy of Saint Teresa for all you art history nerds out there.

Anyone....?
Fine I will go back to comparing Bleach moments to religious art all by myself then (it is a lonely world)

It's my blog and I will ship IchiRuki if I want to

They are kissing in my sketchbook :O

Will You Regret That Tat? #Shit Cosmo Says

A truly regrettable article, published by Cosmopolitan (US) in their August 2012 issue.
Reposting this from when I wrote it on facebook back in July 2012, because articles like this still make my blood boil.

Worst.  Issue. Ever.

Here is the article.

Usually I don't care about the trivial fluff printed in Cosmo.  I do not take them seriously.  They are so full of shit all the time that it's hilarious.  Very few things get me riled up when the objective is brain candy.

But when they try to approach a topic that concerns young women and their health, identity and safety and EPICALLY FAIL at providing advice for it, I simply could not sleep until I cast my two cents into the void that is their editorial mailbox. 

Here is my letter to the editor.  I didn't make the editorials page (lol), nor did they apologize for the article :P

Hi Cosmo,

I am writing out of concern with your flowchart feature "Will You Regret That Tat?" in the August 2012 issue of Cosmo which made the most appalling conclusion in determining what kind of tattoo would be "least regrettable".  The resulting advice was that if the planned tattoo were a song lyric or quote (some ELSE's words... with deep personal meaning of course!), in black or blue ink, SMALLER than a compact and being tattooed anywhere but the lower back, chest, neck, face or finger... then "GO FOR IT!"

The resulting tattoo that I could imagine makes me cringe- how much text can you fit in 3-4 inches?.  It would be a smooshed, illegible mess in a matter of months.  Terrible, appalling advice from a writer who clearly has no idea what makes a successful tattoo.

ANYONE considering a text tattoo should make DAMN SURE the thing will be legible in 10 years, which means large, easily discernable letters with proper spacing and a bold, attractive font- because you also want it to look good, right?  Ever seen Lady Gaga's upper arm tattoo?  Smaller than a compact my ass.

Obviously, if you aren't willing to make the commitment to the large size- especially with text- DON'T.  WHY would you get a text tattoo only to NOT be able to read it?!

I have taken the liberty of composing my own version of "Will You Regret That Tat?"

DON'T

• if it is flash art*, or directly from the first 5 pages of Google images
• if it is ANYBODY'S name- pet, husband/boyfriend, deceased relative or band/artist.  Wouldn't they be better commemorated with a picture representing them? (I don't necessarily mean portrait)
• if you are getting it to impress/rebel against somebody.
• if you are going to be stingy with the cost.  Pay to get it done right by someone reputable.  If you can't afford it, DON'T.

GO FOR IT

• if you have personally gathered picture reference for it and designed it, or had your tattoo artist design it
• if you are willing to put sunscreen on it constantly every day that it will be exposed to the sun- forever.
•  if it is easily hidden with both casual and conservative business dress.
•  if you are willing to commit to a size that will properly convey the detail that you want- LISTEN TO YOUR TATTOO ARTIST ON THIS ONE.  If they are any good, they will give you a heads up on how it will age. Small (less than 3 inches square) is only good for extremely simple, graphic renderings.  Nervous about your tattoo being seen?  Then why bother with one at all?

A feature which could have been simplified with more practical advice or focused on health and safety in regards to this popular cultural trend turned out to be profoundly disturbing by how ignorantly it was composed, seemingly by the opinions of someone who has never had a tattoo.

... closing greeting to editor, hopefully conveyed with a chilly tone of voice.

/endrant

*I am aware that there is some really incredible flash art by awesome artists out there- if you can wade through everything else. This is still a don't because so much flash art is reproduced without consent or acknowledgement of the artist!

Also.  This is just the basic shit I could come up with WHILE READING THE FEATURE.  Common sense, really. 

EPIC FAIL COSMO.

My personal rule is "go big or go home".  And I learned that from experience.

Anime nerd meet Fashion nerd

High Fashion: Bleach

Evening dress collection inspired by characters from Bleach.
Watercolor, color pencil and ink.

When I went to fashion school I didn't really fit in anywhere.  I loved illustration and actually making clothes: material buying, sewing, handwork, the whole bit.  But I sucked at pattern grading, terminology and complying with industry standards.  Creativity was utterly stifled.  My business classes were a joke.  All that for a ridiculous tuition.

But that year I attended the university's anime club.  For $5 a month you could sit in on weekly 3 hour screenings of fansubbed anime projected on a big screen in one of the auditoriums.   And that's the first time I saw Bleach. (2005)  When the first season's punchy, stylish, kinetic opening set to Asterisk's "Orange Range" hit my ears and eyes, I was hooked.  I promptly went to the nearest bookstore and bought the first 4 volumes of manga (luckily for me, manga sections in big book stores were beginning to explode at around that time).  I went back for more each week until I was caught up.
That was also the same year I got into Death Note.  Other big names come and go but none of them quite hit all the notes for me like Bleach does, especially when clothing is used within the story to express concepts, character development and ideas.

Eight years later, Bleach still inspires me when fashion doesn't.

memento mori

My mortality tattoo design.  Time flies, beauty is fleeting, etc etc.  There is so much personal symbolism and meaning embedded into this design that when I look at it I get that super-hyper-anxious feeling that I need it tattooed NOW NOW NOW.

I admire the hell out of sugar skull-painted girl tattoos but was never sure if they would suit me, or if I was badass enough to rock one.  But then I realized: why the hell not?!
My only regret with my current tattoos is that I did not go bigger and better.  So I might as well start somewhere.

Wondered briefly if I would regret having Rukia tattooed on me, but my husband brought up a good point: "You will never stop loving anime".  It's true :)
And outside of a Bleach reference, people will see a tattoo of fierce, short-haired asian woman with sugar skull makeup, on a fierce, short-haired asian woman.
That's not going to change :)

Will hopefully have this on my right thigh by the end of the year.  Biggest tattoo yet.

Chigo & Ruki Ruki

I am particularly proud of how this came out.  And I got to draw a hookah.

Alternate universe!  This couple is canon wherever they may be.
Didn't you love how they would make entire filler episodes based on Kubo's color spread art or pencil doodles?  :P

This again...

Just a reminder that I ship IchiRuki... in sexual ways.
Self-indulgent nekkid drawings result.

Not-quite-SFW behind the cut

Live Action Hetalia

Here is my Hollywood actor wish list for a hypothetical Hetalia live action movie.  International actors FTW~!

Jeezus- it makes me groan when I see other people do this shit but here I am- fandom makes you do crazy things.  Also was an excuse to look up images of cute men.

Axis Powers

Germany: Michael Fassbender

So quintessentially Doitsu there is simply no other contender.  We already know what he looks like in WWII uniform thanks to Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds.

Japan: Yusuke Iseya
Maybe a bit too uniquely featured and bad-ass imaged to be straightlaced and soft-spoken Japan.
But I do love him so.

Italy/Veneziano: Jason Biggs
It is hella difficult to find native-born Italian actors
(in the age and cutest factor that I was going for)
So had to settle with some of obvious Italian descent.
Biggs has great comedic acting chops.  It's my list, so there.  

Italy/Romano: Milo Ventimiglia
I can see it- can't you?
Arguing with Veneziano, dissing Germany, being a dick to Spain.  Adorable.

Allied Forces

America: Chris Evans
THE INTERNET AGREES. A MUST-HAVE.
He is pretty much the reason I made this list.  Let's face it- Hollywood has chosen him to represent 'Murica  

Britain/United Kingdom: Andrew Garfield
Because eyebrows, that's why.

Russia: Anton Yelchin
I love this guy sofuckingmuch.  Dreamy Russian-speaking voice?  Check!  Innocent appearance?  Check!
Acting prowness to demonstrate mild and friendly demeanor yet provoke alarming unease towards the insidious creeping terror that is Russia?
Check check.

France: Vincent Cassel
Another one a little outside of the age range but wow!  The stubble!  The eyes!  The thoroughly convincing perverted characters that he has portrayed!  (Dirty, dirty France)

China: Jay Chou
Not Chinese, but Taiwanese.  You will find a surprising number of Taiwanese in Hollywood playing Chinese and Japanese characters.  Don't know why, but I'm all for it.

Canada: Ryan Gosling
Special bonus nationality i.e: my own.
I'm not really a fan.  But girls seem to love him and I am okay with Canada having a dreamboat image.  Cute glasses, dude.

Newest Obsession: Hetalia

left: Russia looking hella creepy

right: the adorable Axis Powers

keep in mind these are straight up pen sketches in my pocket agenda

Just when I thought that I could not possibly get into any more anime, along comes Hetalia: Axis Powers on Canadian Netflix.  Comedic genius on so many different levels.
I've listened to both the japanese voices and the english dub by now and I honestly love the english dub.  The atrocious accents just add to the borderline racist parody aspect, the voice actors did a great job in keeping up with the rapid fire dialogue and even though people apparently complain that the language is harsher and the humor is more vulgar I totally prefer it that way, even with the overuse of the word 'douche'.
But I love shows like Archer and Metalocalypse so I find it funny as hell.

Something different

Just a post to show you that I am a fan of more than just Bleach :P  I love American comics too.
Pencil sketches, quick and scribbly.

Death and her brother Dream, Sandman (Vertigo)

Dream's cloak is so cool, ohmigod.  I like how Death just seems to be floating.

Catwoman (DC) is my favorite character of all time.

Batman is sort of in this picture too.

I love Catwoman.  She is my patron saint, role model, goddess, and split personality, LOL.

It is not so much the comic, or even the character (but totally the outfit).  It is the concept and persona behind a cat woman. 

Not to mention the mythology.  Case in point, the Egyptian goddess Bast.  I'd worship her no probs.

Ever met a 'cat person?'  I have more of what I'd call a 'cat personality'.  Cats are instinctive, territorial, reactionary, and if you are not used to them, they can seem indifferent, unabashedly self-entitled or hateful.

They can also run the wide range of being completely standoffish and mean to totally affectionate and in-your-face.  In a single cat.

... Yeah, sounds like me.  Like I could have been a cat in a past life.  Comparing women to cats?  No shit!

So... I think I can empathize with cats sometimes and I like to hang out with them.  This is something that I would share in common with Catwoman, if she were real (in my heart, maybe)

Some days I think I might like to join tumblr.
Then I think: Mmmm better not

Bleach RPG-style

Yeah, so this just happened. (why do I do all my best drawing between midnight and 2 am?)
From left to right: White Mage, Barbarian, Dark Mage, Paladin, Ranger, Monk.  The adventure practically writes itself.

Been watching Game of Thrones and the Lord of the Rings movies (director's cut/extended version all the way!) as of late and reminiscing about D&D and the Final Fantasy games when they were good.  Just can't get enough of that pseudo-medieval fantasy RPG style.

Just looking at this picture makes me want to write up stats for the dream team and storm a dungeon with them.  That may have been the nerdiest thing I have ever admitted.

Uryu....

Someone needs to tell Uryu that if he is planning a double-cross, he needs to make sure Bach doesn't know about recent pop culture.
I would cry for days if he pulled a Severus Snape.
O_____________O YEAH HARRY POTTER REFERENCE.  I JUST WENT THERE.

....sorry.
I'm gonna put this out there cause it's my blog- I hope Orihime is gonna be the one who brings him back to the good side.

my one and possibly only fanfic

Behind Closed Doors, begun Feb 2013, completed May 2013.

Summary: Rukia thinks she's alone and focuses on her desires for a change. Ichigo finds out. It's the start of something new, but there are many factors against them. Love doesn't come without consequence, but it is worthwhile nevertheless. Set in two parts: pre- and post- Thousand Year Blood War arc. 

Contains LEMON and is rated M for mature readers only.  

Genre: Romance, Drama and Smut.
Words: approx 40,000
Chapters: 8

Like so many other fanfics, it contains my personal interpretation about how their relationship would progress once it got physical (if Bleach was a hentai, maybe :P)
Also a lot of my personal headcanon, i.e: how Orihime's character would be better if she managed to get over Ichigo, pro-IshiHime, Central 46 being bureaucratic dickbags (Soul Society's government is messed up, guys), and Ichigo being a young adult with hormones.
Some of it was simply created by the urge to circumvent the cliches out there (am I the only one who thinks Ichigo would not make a great division captain?  And that he's not just going to stay in Soul Society and that will be the HAPPIEST ENDING) ...and to give Rukia a more balanced role of career ambition/personal responsibility and not just want to pop out kids.  Fuuuuuck.

I'm happy it's out there.  I'm happy I did it but I'm also happy it's done.  You won't see much writing from me for a while :P

Oh yeah, and manga chapter 537? Omigod, Kubo.

Thank you for this face. DAT FACE. Shit, I'm freaking out about how grown up Ichigo looks.

I got a few things wrong in my Masaki theory post because Kubo.
What I knew for sure:  Masaki could have easily defeated Grand Fisher, but Juha Bach did sort of kill her indirectly.  It's simply a good reason for Ichigo to get involved on a personal level.
Hear that Quincy King?  You just made shit personal.

It wasn't a surprise to see Uryu doing the 'betrayal' thing but it still made my heart sink.  I have no doubt that he has ulterior motives but of course it's going to be dragged out forever again.
Did you do it for the uniforms, Uryu?  I don't blame you.  Dude looks like a GQMF.

Bleach theory re: Masaki

WHOA you guys.  WHOA.  I just realized something about Masaki Kurosaki.  (Ichigo's mother)

Spoilers up to chapter 530

Death of a Shinigami

Dead or just unconscious?  You never know with Ichigo...

So.  I'm a little worried that Ichigo will never be a shinigami again.  R.I.P. Zangetsu.  Who knows when we will see him again?!?

This drawing was modeled off of Michaelangelo's 'Pieta'.  I'm not saying that Ichigo is Jesus but maybe I am.

Another Manga Edit

Lyrics: "Dark Paradise", Lana Del Ray

Bleach: Chapter 423

Fact: If you replace the text in these two pages with Lana Del Ray lyrics, you will cry.

I've been cycling her albums on repeat as I write fanfic. 

I think it would be a good combo for a disgustingly melancholy AMV.

Aizen vs Urahara: Bleach/Sherlock mashup

Yes, you read that title correctly.
Because I just find it fitting.  They are the master manipulators of this story.
How many pieces does Aizen still have on the board?? How many does Urahara??
Is Ichigo one of them?

Manga panels from Bleach, chapter 315.
Quotes from Sherlock (UK) TV series, season 2, episode 3 "The Reichenbach Fall"
(the exchange is between Sherlock and Moriarty, btw)

Manga edit by me.  Because I'm insane.

IshiHime... i do what i want

If anyone notices that this was inspired by the running joke in Guillory/Layman's "Chew" (Image Comics), you win a GIANT INTERNET COOKIE.

Ahhahahaaahaaa. Had to/wanted to draw it. No apologies.

IshiHime is not totally convincing but I love these two characters.  Uryu's crush on Hime is adorable.  Until their characters are developed more (i.e: Orihime gets over Ichigo, preferably in a very self-confident, sick of one-sided relationship way) nothing is going to move forward. 

I am going to say something that is going to get me internet murdered, but I don't get UlquiHime.  *ducks*

It has inspired some really smoking hot fanart, that is truth.

But Ulquiorra is dead.  Dead and gone.  

I don't deny that Ulquiorra might have fallen in love.  (but this is a shounen manga so any romantic developments have to be KILLED PRONTO)

Orihime was sad when it happened but she didn't mourn afterwards.  She went right back to doting on Ichigo.

If you have been keeping up with the manga up to Chapter 528 and want to know my thoughts, please

Ichigo Kurosaki v.s: The World

This is my most favorite Bleach crossover vid EVEEERRRRRR.
Masterfully done and shows true fandom of source material <3
Also IchiRuki FTW, duh


  omg Rukia Flowers you dated like three Espada?

IchiRukiHime: Fetish edition

Yup... this is how I view their relationship sometimes.

Not explicit.... but slightly NSFW

the Kurosaki family

A cute, fluffy scenario that gives me the feels.
ICHIGO! WHEN YOUR DAD CALLS A GIRL YOU BRING HOME HIS 'THIRD DAUGHTER' YOU OUGHT TO KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS
These two.  Shipped so, so much and so obviously.  I can't even.

If none of you have tried drawing Isshin before, I highly recommend it.
PS: If Karin turns out to be half as badass as her brother Karakura town will be safe forever and ever.  We will be watching your career with great interest.

Rukia + Freaks on a leash

Don't get tangled, boys

I love drawing fun, cracked out Rukia-centric things you guys.  I luuurve it.
This slightly sketchy style is closest to my regular drawing style.

IchiRuki: shopping

This is a true story.  Valentine's Day is barely over and Easter junk is popping up in stores everywhere.
Miffy the bunny has this effect on me.

I worked hard on their expressions.  Please let the cuteness wash over you.

I freaking love this tumblr feed: FuckYeah, IchiRuki

Highland Bleach

Crack fanart time.  Are y'all ready for this??

ok..... drawing Ichigo as a Highlander was fun as hell.

highland dancing suits Rukia, no? 

Rukia: Bankai

There is some speculation on what Rukia's bankai would be so I am compelled to do my own take.

Makes sense story-wise for Rukia to gain bankai.  (spoilers) She was chosen to go to the Spirit King's realm after all- I'm assuming- to get some kick ass spirit training.  Go Rukia!  Leveling up is not just a boy's club!

And how else to defeat the new threat that steals bankais except with new and better bankais?

Kuchiki Rukia's bankai?

Not very impressive in black & white but I imagined Sode no Shirayuki's ribbon to encompass the user and act as a versatile and kido-like forcefield (glows with magic, moves on its own initiative and does not get tangled-- inspired by the constant undulating movement of the 'flying scarves' in the video game "Journey") 

The katana turns into more of a glowing holy sword.  It is a defensive rather than offensive bankai-- not enough of those IMO.

just some IchiRuki for Valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day (in the living world, North America) 

NOW KISS

Rukia: Death Goddess

Dia de los Muertos style Rukia: Ink and Watercolor

Combining my love for Rukia and tattoo style art.

 Sado Yasutora would approve...?

A note about my art: I don't have much free time to draw and I am a speed demon-- I complete whatever I want to draw in 1-2 hours.  Maybe another 2 hours if I color it completely, like this one.

Almost everything you see here will be in pencil and occasional ink pen.  I very rarely color anything but I prefer colored pencil or watercolor.

Sadly, I just can't compete with all the digital painters and tablet drawings about there-- I'm super duper old school. 

sometimes i sit around in my big black dressing gown and pretend i'm a shinigami

Favorite character time~!

Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach

How I feel about this character:
I don't love Rukia so much as I want to BE her.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Just Ichigo now.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Orihime!  A girl needs girlfriends amirite?

My unpopular opinion about this character: she's had a thing with Renji... but it didn't work out. (what?? they need to determine this so that there are no unrequited feelings) Hasn't had a relationship since being adopted as a Kuchiki and NOTHING AS EPIC AS HER AND ICHIGO WILL BE.

Post Soul Society Invasion arc they were teaming up on Ichigo hilariously-- Renji is totally her wingman

One thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character in canon: GET. WITH. ICHIGO!!! AUGH  *flails* If Kubo didn't want any characters to get together he shouldn't have given us so much feels and such sexy characters

I am waiting for the IchiRuki

my het ship/OTP: IchiRuki!!!!!!

I did have a RenRuki phase.  Mostly because I was so pissed with Ichigo not making a goddamn move and Renji is sexy as hell.    Not gonna lie, I stopped reading Bleach when Rukia wasn't in it.  Then BAM- Fullbring arc conclusion-- stabbed him again-- all my feels-- bright and shining OTP once more

my fem/slash ship: Tatsuki would be pretty hot.  Who said that??

my OT3: Ichigo x Rukia x Renji OMG DYING.  I could also accept Ichigo x Rukia x Orihime- equal opportunity threesomes, c'mon- GET IT ICHIGO

my cross over ship: I love crossovers but nyaaaah... Bleach universe is already too much

my kink: FemDom!Rukia

my head canon fact: that she and other soul reapers in general have sex.  As high energy souls they have human needs, albeit less need to fulfill them as often.  I refuse to believe that she is a centuries-year-old virgin like creepy fuckin' Edward Cullen.

my gender bend: NOPE.  Rukia does not need to be made male, she is so perfect.  Bleach is enough of a sausage fest as it is
2nd choice answer: See Byakuya

strikethroughs provided for brevity and less evidence of my pervertedness

What is this blog for?

Why this blog exists