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Update:   Thursday, July 27, 2006

Just a note. I'm going to put off fanart and wallpaper submissions until after the contest deadline. Sorry about the delay, folks, but I don't have the time right now to do both. Since the contest has a deadline, I'm going to give that higher priority temporarily. Sorry! *sweatdrop* CONTEST - 15 new entries since my last proper update. ^_^ 10 - Author-chan - A hilarious plushie that made me both laugh and cringe in sympathy. So cruel and heartless. So deliciously wicked. I liked the idea of this one. 11 - s-girl - Lovely lighting and colors on this group pic. I like the expression on Kenshin's face. And it's interesting to mentally trace the complex connections he has with each of the other men in the painting. 12 - Jelley - Definitely a unique medium. Not just sculpted, but the "clay" itself was made from home ingredients. The expression really shows through on this. Wonderfully done. 13 - X. Maria Miller - Beautiful colors, textures, and composition on this. And it's interesting to see a "family portrait" that carries so much secondary meaning behind a seemingly simple portrait. 14 - whitehaizea - I really like the choice of using Kaoru and Megumi here. They are a wonderful example of friends and enemies, and the fact that both aspects of their relationship are due to the same reason make it all the more interesting. Nice work on this. 15 - Hope-Chan - Poor fish! Poor cat! This little doujinshi had me giggling. It was fun to see Kenshin and Sano in a moment of zany rivalry. With friends like that, who needs enemies, right? 16 - Peophin-chan - I think it was wonderful to use Kenshin and Shishio as a pair to illustrate enemies that used to be allies, technically. It's an aspect of their relationship that is rarely depicted in fanarts. I also like the coloring, how it goes from warm tones to cool. 17 - Kenshins-Soul & lolo popoki - Marvelous concept on this collaboration. If only the battles in the war were that easily done! LOL. Nice expressions on their faces as well. 18 - Kimmy Jarl - An intriguing pic. Kenshin and Saitou with rather enigmatic expressions on both. The timeframe seems to also be deliberately ambiguous. And dare I say, there seems to be a slight shonen-ai tone to this? Beautiful subdued colors and mood. 19 - Hope-Chan - Yahiko and Yutaro, the ultimate friend/enemy relationship. Heh. Nice choice of subjects on this one. And I like their almost-manic expressions. 20 - NariSon - Kenshin's expression in this one is just precious. And the little wiggling movements in his legs are a nice touch. So cute! 21 - NariSon - I really like the brilliant colors of this Kenshin-gumi pic. And Kenshin's expression is fascinating. It's mostly happy, but there's a tiny hint of pain there. Quite appropriate, I think. 22 - Gretsky - Kenshin and Tomoe, done Art Nouveau style. Beautifully gentle colors and a fascinating pose on this one. It really shows the pain of knowing that one's lover is also one's enemy. 23 - Erika M. R. - Beautiful dark tone on this one. I like the colors, and the intensity of Enishi's expression. And it's always interesting to think how Enishi's attempts to help his sister are actually causing her pain. 24 - Jupeboxgal - Adorable pic of Kenshin and Kaoru, wandering together. I like the colors and the happy expressions on this. And I like the title of the pic, reminding us that Kenshin is no longer a lone wanderer. Oh, man, that's a lot of gorgeous art. ^_^ I think even though there aren't as many entries this year, it's still going to be incredibly difficult to judge. The art has been so impressive! Thanks so much to all the artists for sending stuff in. Remember, folks. The deadline is 11:59 PM PST, Monday! And judges, please try to trickle in to our usual meeting place once the contest deadline is up. That's it for tonight. Thanks, everyone! Posted by hakubaikou, 11:09:00 PM EST. on today's updates.

Update:   Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Posted several new contest images. I'll write a proper update on them later. Also, there are a lot of fanart pics in my inbox. Will get to those eventually as well. I'm really busy this week though. Sorry for the delay! :( Only 1 more week left in the contest! :-O Posted by hakubaikou, 7:34:00 AM EST. on today's updates.

Update:   Sunday, July 23, 2006

Watsuki-sensei was at San Diego Comic Con!!! I was so shocked, I could barely contain myself when I found out. Beware. The following post may contain blushing, shamelessness, and a bit of random joyous squealing.... Watsuki-sensei was promoting his new series, Buso Renkin, at a Viz Comics panel today. He answered many questions (which I will write about in more detail later). And later in the day, he signed autographs. Oh, and he was gracious enough to accept a very small piece of art I gave him, so please excuse me, but I feel compelled to write him a thank you note here. (I gave him the URL to this site, and while I realize he will probably never actually see this, I'm still going to gush like a swirly-eyed fan-girl anyway.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Watsuki-sensei Thank you very much for accepting the Shinsengumi artwork. I wish I could have given a Kenshin fanart that was more appropriate. Nevertheless, it was an honor and a thrill for me to present it to you. Thank you for creating such a wonderful character. Kenshin is one of the most complex and fascinating characters I've ever seen. And the series has changed my life and been an inspiration to me and to other fans (many of whom are regulars at this site). I hope you have great success with Buso Renkin and all your future endeavors. Sincerely, C. Sun (alias hakubaikou) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And that's enough gushing from me. Hey guys, feel free to add a comment and include your own addendum to my note, if you'd like. ^_^ Posted by hakubaikou, 5:00:00 AM EST. on today's updates.

Update:   Thursday, July 20, 2006

Just a quick heads-up. I have a deadline tonight, so I've been working on that rather than updates. Also, I'll be out of town Friday and Saturday because I'm going to San Diego Comic Con (not as an artist, but just as a guest). I've received 3 contest entries since the last update. I'll work on getting those up as soon as possible, either tonight or Sunday. There are also many fanarts waiting, and I'll get to those too. As for the rest of you... The contest ends in 11 days! ^_^ I know several people have works in progress. I can't wait to see them. And for those who don't, it's not too late to whip up an entry. Please don't be shy about it. Good luck to all those who participate! Posted by hakubaikou, 3:45:00 PM EST. on today's updates.

Update:   Thursday, July 13, 2006

Just a little reminder: There are only 19 days left in the RK Fanart contest! :) I hope folks are working on entries. And if you're not working on an entry yourself, I'd appreciate it if you could try to publicize the contest a bit. The more the merrier, I always say. Woohoo! Anyhow, six more contest entries and two fanart entries today. I have a few more fanart submissions from last week that I haven't added yet. Sorry, but it's getting late, and my eyelids won't stay open. I'll get to those next time. CONTEST 02 - cherryblossom88 - A cool pic with Kenshin and Soujirou. I think this fits the contest theme really nicely. And I really like the vibrant feel of the pic. 05 - Eiko Makimachi - This picture of Kenshin and Okita offers a rather intriguing Alternate Universe type interpretation of the theme. Lovely art as always from Eiko. 06 - Siobhan - Aoshi and Okina, what a great choice. Not only are they friends and enemies, but they're pretty much family as well. Wonderful textures and emotion in this. 07 - paranoid-duckkie - Beautiful coloring and movement in this picture with Kenshin and Kaoru. It's rare to see the two of them in a combat, rather than romantic setting. Nicely done. 08 - Yahiko-chan & paranoid-duckkie collab - A fascinating picture with Soujirou and the two biggest influences in life. I like how Shishio is literally blinding him. Very cool. 09 - dragonflywings - Awesome colors and textures on this pic of Kenshin and Aoshi. Their showdown in the library is often overlooked, IMO. Beautiful, elegant work. FANART Artist chirp chirp has several wonderful new pictures, including fanart for stories by Conspirator and Linay. Ranging from a beautifully drawn Rakuninmura pic to a cute pic of Kenshin dressed as a lady. Do have a look at these. Artist midnightshinigami has a very cool new picture of Megumi done in a unique style. I like the colors and the expression on her face. Very fitting for a Fox Lady. Heehee. OTHER I had the huge pleasure of meeting several of you in person at Anime Expo. Omasu Oniwabanshu, Bunneh, jbramx2, Summoner Lenne, and a ton of artists from DeviantArt and Gaia. Thanks so much for visiting my table! I had a great time. ^_^ Posted by hakubaikou, 4:00:00 AM EST. on today's updates.