Case Files of Jeweler Richard

Was really motivated to paint this after finishing volumes 4-7.

I think if there's good to come out of Akira Toriyama's passing, it's all the people coming forward and talking about their fond memories of his works. I hope he can rest peacefully knowing how much joy he put into the world.

2023 general art summary (excluding doodles/unpublished/corporate works)

Happy New Year! Hello 2024~

Went all out for this year's annual tribute xmas illust. Hope everyone has a super duper warm, happy and safe holiday~

Celebratory art for the last volume countdown. What a journey it has been! I drew so much artwork of this series over the last few years. It was exciting to see new designs get unveiled each time.

(Commission for VO: Cristina Vee)

YOU ARENT STEVE JOBS

A bit early, but Happy Halloween~

Was commissioned for the waiting screen for Nerissa Ravencroft.

It's that time of the year again. As usual, on-site sketch commissions will be available, as well as a selection of new items. See you soon~

World is Myne

After half a decade, I finally finished the remaining Inner Soldiers and started on the Outers. The illustrations are for an eventual artbook. Wish me luck~

Blog Post: Mononoke Movie

They dropped the trailer for the new 2024 Ayakashi Mononoke movie, and the new voice cast replacement. Instead of a reprisal, Sakurai Takahiro's role of Kusuriuri will be replaced by Kamiya Hiroshi.

The trailer can be seen [here]. Because I'm subscribed to their Kickstarter, I've been able to get sneak peeks of the visuals every now and then, so I knew early on that a cast change was coming. The new Kusuriuri design and animation has a bit more of a sensual, flirty vibe, which I think doesn't go too bad with Kamiya's voice. But from the current trailer, it seems to really lack the cadence and staccato of the original Mononoke that I fell in love with.

I do actually like Kamiya as a voice actor a lot. He has a ton of roles I really enjoy, and he's definitely in my top 10 --- but the voice of Sakurai for Kusuriuri is so overwhelmingly powerful and iconic, that even now I haven't gotten over it, and am still immensely disappointed that things ended up this way (albeit, understandably given the circumstances). It hits even harder because Kusuriuri is actually my all-time most favourite role of Sakurai.

...But I had several months to get over it, so now I'll just have to try and enjoy the new series as a new thing, and given that the visuals are really different---to treat it as a new character. Although if I'm being honest, if I had to suck it up and pick a replacement, my top choice would instead definitely be Ishida Akira who is in the same vocal generation, and fits both the old image and the new image for the Medicine Seller. He has a gritty, whispy quality to his voice that leaves a deep impression. (If you're curious, here are some voice samples). Runner up after Ishida, would've been Toriumi Kousuke. Casting aside, the new OST sounds phenomenal. I was way more excited about the music and the visuals than the vocals. The trilling chants really got my blood pumped up.

I hope the story they've come up with for the movie will be something to look forward to and excite me at least.