#gladiator seventh anniversary | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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If you're caught in the shadow then turn around Lost in the darkness, you will be found If you hear my voice, follow the sound 'Cause I'm here to guide you home

Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

March 26th swings by once more, and this time I’ve been celebrating this milestone for nearly a whole month :’D We have twenty Gladiator-arcs-themed artworks by now, and here’s our grand finale! A little more grand than every anniversary up to date, I hope!

This particular entry comes in two forms, however! And here’s the second one:

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Say hello to the FIRST GLADIATOR ARTWORK VIDEO! :’D

Yeah, it wasn’t always meant to be the first xD I have two other videos in the works, and one of them is at least over halfway done (with rudimentary animation in it too :’D). Still, this occasion demanded it! And so I decided to go for a video this time, hopefully the next videos won’t take too long to finish!

This hasn’t been an easy year for me, despite I’ve certainly written a lot of things I’m reeeally happy about (that you guys will be seeing later this year). Quite often I’ve found myself losing traction, hope, faltering against many obstacles in my life. I’ve made big and small mistakes here and there, and I’ve had low points, even if none quite as low as the one I hit two years ago...

Still, at the end of the day, this story has always had my back in its own way. I’ve been able to find peace by writing it, even in the darkest of moments. Going over all the progress I’ve made with it, and looking ahead at everything that’s yet to come often fills me with the willpower and strength I need to keep going, no matter what. So, after a year of blackouts, water shortages, internet collapses, countless setbacks with my real-life plans and now even a pandemic, Gladiator has always been the safest harbor I can find refuge in when everything else fails.

This big finale is, of course, meant to encapsulate the growth of Sokka and Azula’s relationship throughout the first half of Part 2. At first I had wanted to draw scenes from each arc I had skipped... but that didn’t quite work out as well as that after I revisited a certain movie, which features a BRILLIANT OST, and it had two songs that I’ve now poached outright for Gladiator purposes :’D Strange Sight is a song that really works well for Sokka and Azula in general (from Sokka’s POV), but the bulk of the song really sounds more like it fits these two in Part 1 xD yet the very conclusion of the song changes its tone... and that’s the part that inspired me into making this video/artwork set!

The first scene depicted is Azula’s “blunder”, when she nearly admits she loves Sokka despite not being ready to say it out loud. He is thrilled, but she’s very flustered, so he gives her space while she blushes stubbornly in her Barge’s cabin (?). The second artwork comes from a scene I always wanted to depict in art, even while I was writing it: Azula watching Pohuai Stronghold at a distance while Sokka is enthralled, looking at her (even blurts out she’s beautiful because he’s a goofball like that xD). The third scene comes from their escapade to the healing hot springs, on the same chapter Sokka gives Azula her secret betrothal necklace. The fourth scene is the crazy kiss these two steal in the airship factory, when they lose sight of Ozai’s retinue and make out amidst the factory equipment, steam and whatnot rising around them... because that’s just the stuff they like to do xD The fifth scene is taken from their chaotic anniversary arc, once they had already patched things up and were drying each other’s hair with towels... Azula dried Sokka, his hair was a disaster afterwards and she laughed her ass off while he did his best to take revenge xD the sixth scene depicts a much darker moment, Azula using her gold fire to fight back against Seethus, underground (not sure if it shows, but clutching Sokka’s hand is what allowed her to use gold fire properly in the midst of such a desperate situation. And the seventh scene is meant to portray Azula in that arc too, after she has rebelled against her father and takes off with Sokka, putting more distance between herself and Ozai than ever before...

The final one isn’t really derived from a particular scene of the fic, instead it’s the image I always get of these two when I hear the end of that song. “You’re not alone” is definitely one of the most important things Azula needs and deserves to hear. Though it’s not only for her to hear it... it’s for her to know for sure that it’s true, that she has a partner who will stand by her through thick and thin, to the ends of the world if need be. That no matter how bad things can get, she knows he’s on her side and always will be.

It has taken quiiiite a while to develop their bond and relationship to this extent, but I have to say it has been such a wonderful process for me... as I’ve said in the past, Gladiator’s Part 1 was the story of how they get together, but Part 2 is the story of how things work now that they are together. There’s a strange, general perception of romance storytelling, and it even expands into IRL relationships, I’d say, that suggests, whether intentionally or not, that relationships stop developing, evolving, growing once they’re consummated. I don’t know if the fairytale “they lived happily ever after!” is to blame for that, but personally, I don’t see the point in watching a relationship be built up from the ground only to witness a brief glimpse of how it works before the curtain falls. That’s why Gladiator’s Part 2 has been the exact opposite of that. Both Azula and Sokka had a lot left to grow and develop after Part 1 was finished, their partnership did too, and there’s like a gazillion plotlines, new and old, that will be crucial in building up the biggest, baddest climax of the story so far. Therefore... I’d like to think my point has been made? You CAN tell a story about this side of a couple’s life together. Whether people stick around to read it is another subject, but if you’re working with a couple as dynamic as these two, getting them together is barely the first part of the journey.

I make it no secret that Part 2 is definitely my favorite chunk of the story, especially the chapters that are being published nowadays (and those that will be published in the future), so part of the reason why I went all out here is because I really, REALLY wanted to cherish everything this part of the story embodies for me and, hopefully, for everyone who has read and enjoyed it.

I deeply thank everyone who has stuck it out with me through this journey, no matter if you were here from the first moment or if you’re a newcomer who hasn’t even caught up yet. I’m also really grateful if you don’t know the story at all but still took your time to even drop a like on any of these posts. It has always been scary to be a creator on the Internet, both because of the potential backlash against what you do and, perhaps even worse than that, the indifference of people who don’t really care much about what you create, regardless of how much work you’ve put into it, and how much you’ve grown so you can make new ideas a reality. But there’s people out there, really wonderful people, who have always been supportive of my crazy creative efforts, always sticking by me no matter how difficult it could be (and no matter how long this story gets :’D). I’m far from a perfect content creator, and sometimes I get discouraged by the stupidest things... but when you guys show interest in what I do, when you say how much the story means to you, it never fails to revitalize me and get me going once again.

So this big celebration is for those of you who stick by me, who support me, who encourage me at my lowest and highest alike because you believe in me and the story I’ve been telling for SEVEN YEARS NOW :’D It’s also for those who may yet return to see what mayhem I’ve crafted for these two in the years since they stopped reading. And it’s, without a doubt, for myself... because now I’m certainly far more confident with my art than ever before, and because everything I make for these two gives me all the right feels just when I need them. Finally... it’s for Sokka and Azula, most of all. The two sides of my beloved OTP, who have been by far the most inspiring characters I’ve ever worked with, and who deserve the entire world, as far as I’m concerned. Granted, I’m a jerk and I won’t make things easy for them in the coming years... but we all know they can be stronger and prevail! At least, I hope you all believe that as well as I do xD

So, as always, here’s to you, my supportive readers, to these wonderful protagonists, and to the story that chronicles their many adventures on their way to changing the world, as they always have meant to! Thanks to all of you for your support, and keep an eye out for Gladiator’s next update, dropping tomorrow!

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coolfayebunny · 7 years

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“It was billed as a spoof, but many of Ghostwatch's 11 million viewers were taken in by the BBC's fake investigation, which in one tragic case led to a teenager taking his own life. On its 25th anniversary, his parents and the creator of the show talk about its impact. It's Halloween night in 1992, and families across the UK are excitedly huddled around the television. Saturday night TV is at its peak - Gladiators has just premiered on ITV, Casualty is enjoying its seventh series and Noel's House Party is pulling in 15 million viewers a week. But tonight's big draw is the BBC's heavily-promoted Ghostwatch, a supposedly "live" investigation into paranormal activity being recorded at a family home in Northolt, north-west London.”

#ghostwatch #bbc #spoof that duped 11 million Brits #25th anniversary #sadly someone killed themselves over it

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frontproofmedia · 5 years

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April 12: Barboza-Alvarado Set to Rumble at Staples Center on Lomachenko-Crolla Undercard

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Published: March 19, 2019

Undefeated super lightweight Arnold Barboza Jr. is a young contender closing in on a world title shot. Mike Alvarado wants another taste of world championship glory. Barboza, from South El Monte, California, will take on former 140-pound world champion Alvarado in a 10-round super lightweight bout on Friday, April 12 at Staples Center as part of the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Anthony Crolla undercard. Lomachenko-Crolla and the 10-round light heavyweight battle between longtime WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez and Tommy Karpency will stream live and exclusively in the United States beginning at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on ESPN+, the direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment and ESPN, which will mark its one-year anniversary since launching on the day of the fight. The entire undercard, including Barboza-Alvarado, will stream live on ESPN+ starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing USA, tickets priced at $310.50, $207, $103.50, $77.65, and $51.75 (including facility fees) are available now and can be purchased by visiting AXS.com. “I am excited for this opportunity. We know it’s a dangerous fight and that Alvarado possesses power in both hands, but we are going to be ready for whatever he brings,” Barboza said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve fought at home, but I am ecstatic to fight here at Staples Center. It’s a dream come true. We are also excited to fight a former world champion like Mike, and we know he is going to be at his best." “Fighting on this card is an honor, and come April 12, the world is in for an exciting show,” Alvarado said. “I’m taking full advantage of this opportunity to bring me one step closer to securing my legacy as a champion.” Barboza (20-0, 7 KOs), ranked No 3 by the WBO at 140 pounds, turned pro following a 95-fight amateur career and a stint as a fullback/linebacker at South El Monte High School. He went 3-0 in 2018, including a hard-fought 10-round decision over Mike Reed (23-1 at the time). In Alvarado (40-4, 28 KOs), he is facing a modern-day action hero who has thrilled boxing fans with his willingness to go toe-to-toe. He was one half of the 2012 Fight of the Year versus Brandon Rios, won by Rios via seventh-round TKO. Alvarado scored a unanimous decision in the immediate rematch but proceeded to lose three in a row versus Ruslan Provodnikov, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Rios in the rubber match. After overcoming personal demons, Alvarado returned to the ring in March 2016 ready for one final run. Since then, he is 6-0 with 5 knockouts. In his previous bout, Oct. 13 on the Terence Crawford-Jose Benavidez Jr. undercard, he blasted out Robbie Cannon with a vicious overhand right in the second round. Also on the card: Top welterweight contender Alexander Besputin (12-0, 9 KOs) will defend his USBA title against Alfredo Blanco (20-7, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Besputin is currently ranked No. 1 by the WBA. “I am a top welterweight, and now that I’m ranked No. 1 by the WBA, I can’t be avoided by the champions for long,” Besputin said. “I am ready to put the welterweight division on notice.” Janibek Alimkhanuly (5-0, 2 KOs), a former amateur standout from Kazakhstan, will face the rugged Cristian Olivas (16-4, 13 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO Global and WBC Continental Americas middleweight belts. Two of Olivas’ four losses have come via split decision, and he has never been knocked out as a pro. “I am training hard with Buddy McGirt, and I know that Olivas is a tough customer who will come forward and make for a great fight,” Alimkhanuly said. “It is a dream come true to fight at Staples Center, and I want to give all of the great fans in Los Angeles a spectacular show. I will show everyone what Qazaq boxing style is all about.” Super middleweight contender and three-time Indian Olympian Vijender Singh (10-0, 7 KOs) will make his United States debut against Calvin Metcalf (9-1-1, 2 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Singh captured a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics, becoming the first Indian boxer to claim an Olympic medal. Italian heavyweight Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (2-0, 2 KOs), who represented his homeland at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will fight Lawrence Gabriel (3-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder. Los Angeles native Chris “The Boy” Zavala (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Sergio Gonzales (2-2, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at super featherweight. Dominican-born bantamweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Kevin Luna (1-2, 1 KO) in a four-rounder.

(Featured Photo: Top Rank Boxing)

#HF #Mike Alvarado #Vasiliy Lomachenko #Anthony Crolla

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soundout12 · 5 years

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Hasbro’s presentation to the attendees of New York Toy Fair 2019 featured the debut of 44 brand-new Marvel Legends action figures. Characters from the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, special 80th anniversary releases, X-Men, Avengers, Spider-Man and more. Without further ado, let’s dive into these new Marvel Legends reveals.

Avengers Waves (Spring 2019, $19.99 Each):

Shuri

Rock Panther

While unclear which figures are in which assortment, we know two waves of Avengers Series Marvel Legends are coming this spring. The new reveals include the previously teased Shuri (MCU) and the next member of the Serpent Society known as Rock Panther. These figures join Ebony Maw (MCU), Living Laser, Nighthawk, Loki, Hercules, Citizen V, Union Jack and most likely several MCU characters from Avengers Endgame which cannot be revealed yet.

Spider-Man Far From Home Wave (Summer 2019, $19.99 Each):

Spider-Man (MCU Red and Black)

Spider-Man (MCU Stealth)

Hydro-Man

Scorpion

Doppleganger

Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter)

The upcoming Spider-Man Far From Home film releases this summer and alongside it is another Spider-Man themed wave. This wave features a mix of MCU and Comic characters. While we are shown six figures, it is unstated as to whether there will be a seventh figure and what exactly the Build-A-Figure will be.

Spider-Man (MCU Red and Black)

Spider-Man (MCU Stealth)

Hydro-Man

Scorpion

Doppleganger

Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter)

X-Men Wendigo Wave (Fall 2019, $19.99 Each):

Guardian

Cannonball

Boom Boom

Mr. Sinister

Continuing the love fest for X-Men that Hasbro has been on lately, we have the second wave for the team this year. This wave was previously announced as having Wendigo as the Build-a-Figure, but he was not shown at ToyFair this year. Guardian was previously revealed last year but was displayed alongside the four new figures.

Guardian

Cannonball

Boom Boom

Nightcrawler

Mr. Sinister

X-Men Vintage/Classic Wave (Fall 2019, $19.99 Each):

Cyclops

Dazzler

Silver Samurai

Patch

Following two waves of Vintage Styled Marvel Legends based on ToyBiz’s Marvel Superheroes line of the 90s, X-Men is now getting the Vintage style treatment.

Cyclops (X-Factor)

Dazzler (X-Men Arcade)

Silver Samurai

Wolverine (Patch)

Ultimate Riders Series (Fall 2019, $39.99):

The only new Ultimate Riders figure and vehicle set to be revealed is the Captain America (World War II) and motorcycle set. Following the trend of 2018 where three Ultimate Riders sets were released across two waves, this might be our last set released in 2019.

Walgreens Exclusives:

Infamous Iron Man

Emma Frost

Two new Walgreens exclusives were revealed at NYTF 2019. Following the soon to be released Mystique, Hasbro is releasing the Infamous Iron Man in Spring and Emma Frost in her black costume for the Fall.

Wal-Mart Exclusive (Spring 2019, $39.99):

Releasing exclusively to Wal-Mart is an Avengers Infinity War inspired two-pack. Loki, who is a minor repaint of the Gladiator Hulk wave figure, will include the Tessaract. Corvus Glaive, who is a brand-new figure, will be the last member of the Black Order to be released.

Target Exclusive (Spring 2019, $39.99):

Based on Spider-Man Homecoming is a Target exclusive two-pack of Spider-Man (Academic Decathalon Jacket) and MJ. Interestingly, MJ includes two heads with two different expressions and hairstyles.

Amazon Exclusive (July 1, 2019, $59.99):

Magneto

Quicksilver

Releasing exclusively on Amazon in July 2019 is a three-pack featuring the children of Magneto. The set includes Magneto, now in his classic colors with two heads, Scarlet Witch, now with a more classic look and the first modern release of Quicksilver.

Marvel 80th Anniversary:

To celebrate the Marvel Comics 80th Anniversary, Hasbro is releasing a series of two-packs and single figures to celebrate the Marvel Universe history. Classic comic versions and previously missing MCU characters are what this series is about.

Classic Avengers (Fall 2019, $24.99 Each):

Iron Man

Captain America

Thor

The single packed releases of the 80th Anniversary line feature the classic versions of Iron Man, Captain America and Thor. All three are inspired by the art of Alex Ross.

Classic Comic Two-Packs (Fall 2019, $59.99 Each):

Hulk

Wolverine

Collosus

Juggernaut

The comic-based Two-Packs feature two legendary showdowns. The Hulk VS Wolverine two-pack includes a classic comic Hulk and a first appearance Wolverine replicating his debut in The Incredible Hulk #181. The Collosus VS Juggernaut two-pack includes a classic Collosus and a new release of the Juggernaut. While not included in the press shots, Juggernaut will also include an unmasked head and a damaged helmet to cover it. The two-pack recreates the fight between the two characters that first occurred in Uncanny X-Men 102.

MCU Two-Packs (Fall 2019, $49.99 Each):

Several two-packs based on different films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Captain America

Agent Peggy Carter

The Captain America: The First Avenger pack includes Captain America (From WWII) and Agent Peggy Carter (Finally).

Ghost

Luis

The Ant-Man & The Wasp two-pack includes Ghost (the super creepy kind) and Luis (who tells the best stories).

Hela

Skurge

The first Thor: Ragnarock two-pack includes a new Hela (with Thor’s hammer) and Skurge, the Executioner (with Des and Troy).

Grandmaster

Korg

The second Thor: Ragnarock two-pack includes The Grandmaster (the Goldblum we all deserve) and Korg (everyone’s favorite rebellion leader).

The final two pack is an Avengers: Infinity War two-pack of the Iron Man Mk-50 armor (now with his nano weapons!) and Iron Spider (now with his legs!)

Marvel Legends Ant-Man Helmet (February 16, 2019, $99.99):

Continuing the Marvel Legends prop replica series is an adult-sized wearable Ant-Man helmet based on the Mark III helmet from the films. Surprisingly, the helmet is available now on Hasbro Pulse. It is unknown if the helmet is exclusive to Hasbro Pulse or if it will be sold through other retailers. The helmet features lights and sounds but orange slices are not included.

Let us know what you think of these new releases in the comments or on social media. Marvel Legends collectors are in for a heck of a ride in 2019!

Source: ToyArk

NYTF 2019: Hasbro #MarvelLegends Reveals

Hasbro’s presentation to the attendees of New York Toy Fair 2019 featured the debut of 44 brand-new

NYTF 2019: Hasbro #MarvelLegends Reveals

Hasbro’s presentation to the attendees of New York Toy Fair 2019 featured the debut of 44 brand-new

NYTF 2019: Hasbro #MarvelLegends Reveals Hasbro's presentation to the attendees of New York Toy Fair 2019 featured the debut of 44 brand-new

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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At the same time, I wanna hug you I wanna wrap my hands around your neck You're an asshole but I love you And you make me so mad, I ask myself Why I'm still here, or where could I go You're the only love I've ever known But I hate you, I really hate you So much I think it must be True love

Countdown: 10 days to Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

The first new artwork! And here we are, starting off Part 2 with its first arc, the Northern Air Temple. While it’s a relatively tense arc, with Sokka trying to quietly sabotage the bomb-production mission Ozai has forced on him and Azula pretending to be oblivious to his obvious ends... it’s also another arc that offered new growth and development for their relationship in many ways. Azula finally admitted, no drinks involved, that she loved Sokka, and he opened up to her in countless ways he never had before, such as with his hopes for the future, and his deepest, worst fears.

Most importantly, however, is the sizable conversation they have about how to be together in a world that won’t accept their love, where they can’t be each other’s only priority at all times - both of them are still fiercely loyal to their nations, after all. The conclusion that this is exactly why balance, a new form of it, is needed in their world, offered the grounds where the rest of Part 2 blooms and flourishes: how will they go about crafting this new balance? Can the world actually achieve balance without an Avatar’s guidance?

The four guards on the left are the most prominent of Azula’s Royal Guards. At the top is the exasperated Rui Shi, tired of his charge’s antics (especially of having to check on her early every morning to make sure her gladiator went to his room before anyone could catch him in his walk of shame :’D). And below him are his much more oblivious companions. The large, brown-haired one is Tai Wei, one of the biggest of the guards, while the one next to him is Taro, the firebender with asthma who often forgets his medicine despite he definitely shouldn’t. The last of their little group is Fei Li, cheerful and goofy as he often is.

As for the right side of the artwork... I’d never drawn the Mechanist before xD I hope I did him justice. I gave him a lot of white hairs because it’s been quite a few years of War Minister Qin’s bullying and menaces, and that kind of horrible stress takes a nasty toll on anyone. Teo’s grown-up design is pretty close to his original design, I’d think (I tried to keep his prominent ears but they don’t look that big, do they? xD dang...), his beard being the biggest difference there. They were nice to draw, and their relationship will always be sadly sweet to me, even if a little clunky because of the Mechanist’s general clunkiness.

Finally... the true tragedy of this artwork is that I SLAVED over the air temple, drawing it from scratch, only to end up covering most of it with the characters anyhow x’D if anyone wants to see the full thing, I’ll reblog this post with it.

And that’s that for the first artwork of Part 2! Stay tuned for the next one!

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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Oh, my love, if it’s all I can do, I’ll take the fall for you Cause I will soar when I lay down with you And give my all for you

COUNTDOWN: 6 days to Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

… Woopsie. I suppose you may have wondered why this one looked like it was of lower quality/resolution than the others. Weeeeeell, I’d been plotting that wicked surprise from the moment I started pondering how to depict this arc.

This one is definitely in my top 3 arcs in this first half of Part 2. From the moment I first plotted it properly I knew it would be a wild ride and I enjoyed it from start to finish. There was so much strife, so many complications, and as ever, Sokka and Azula’s relationship only kept strengthening as things moved along. They moved along so much Sokka outright asked Azula to marry him despite knowing it’d be impossible for them just yet xD But just as things between them were reaching their highest heights… they hit their lowest of lows when Azula found the love of her life bleeding to death after a confrontation with their mysterious enemies.

I had too many things I wanted to feature in this artwork and I knew there was no way I could represent the duality of this arc without making it, as @comentter put it when I told him about it, a bit of a two-sides-of-one-coin artwork xD and that’s why it’s a GIF instead of the usual poster. On one side, the threat of the White Lotus looms in the shadows, menacing over Azula and Sokka. June, despite my initial convictions that she wouldn’t come back in the rest of the story past chapter 38, ended up becoming an essential element for this arc when I started plotting it in earnest, so she had to be featured in this artwork too, as well as poor Rui Shi, Sokka and Azula’s eternal third wheel xD yet he, as well, underwent some really important growth in this arc. The small scene at the bottom and center of the first side is Azula’s encounter with Aunt Wu, where she receives a rather disturbing prediction…

And then the dark side of the coin: the White Lotus, unmasked, wreaks all sorts of havoc over our leading couple and their allies/friends. The stakes had never been quite this high for Azula and Sokka, and he was never quite as close to death as he was in this arc. Without that quick, last-minute cauterization, well… the story would have certainly ended a while ago :’D Rui Shi wasn’t quite as wounded as Sokka but the sight of Azula covered in Sokka’s blood, begging him for help most certainly turned his world upside down. And of course, June was badly injured by the White Lotus when they caught her, her shoulder was dislocated (I even looked up what dislocated shoulder bruises look like! Though I may not have imitated it properly but I tried… :’D), and her beloved Nyla was stolen from her. And I must ask you all to please cut me some slack for not drawing Nyla, there was no room left in the artwork! xD The last scene, opposite to Azula and Aunt Wu, is Azula now sitting by Sokka’s bedside, anxious beyond belief as she waits for him to wake up…

Oh, so many emotions, such a complicated roller-coaster, and I, for one, can barely believe I made my vision for this arc into a reality :’D But I’m really glad for it. As for the song chosen this time around, I used it when I was plotting it, I used it while writing, and to this day I listen to it and only think about this arc. A love so strong that you would give up anything for the other person… it applies perfectly to how both Azula and Sokka feel about each other after all this time.

Well, this one is the second most ambitious artwork of this new collection! Hope you enjoyed it! The full-resolution artworks of both sides are under the cut!

#gladiator seventh anniversary #sokkla #sokka #azula #tw: blood #this is by far the bloodiest artwork I ever have done #rui shi #june #jeong jeong #gladiator #this one took me forever because obviously it was a double-artwork #and with a lot of complicated elements #but #good god I am so glad it worked out #*gross sobbing*#Rui Shi looks so good in the first one it's not fair #I mean sure I designed him to be hot but he's going too far (?)#also I never thought I'd be able to burn Sokka's shirt believably #and #I have no idea how I made it work #but somehow I did #I mean I love the first one because the sweet smiles of the two dorks are wonderful but #the sheer ANGST #of the second one #it makes me so happy because that's the damn scene that made me cry while I was writing it #the first damn time I outright BAWLED while writing #it was the best damn feeling #and the worst #at the same time #ah gosh darn it enough rambling

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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Seize the bright tomorrow Protect the ones you love You can become stronger Break that weak self Destroy the walls blocking you The warm beating in your chest will be your weapon Believe in your heart

COUNTDOWN: 8 days to Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

And now a much more lighthearted arc than the previous one, I still remember how much I laughed to myself while writing Sokka and Azula’s first encounter with the Blue Den - which then was renamed Blue Pack by Sokka’s suggestion. Because, naturally, no one can become as big and popular in the Gladiator League as Sokka is without gaining a following, whether big or small... and in Sokka’s case, the following just grows and grows as the story continues, but this is the first real glimpse we got of them! Naturally, their initial leader, Yang, stands at the front, with the rest of the members dressed in blue, one even wearing a wolf helmet, most of them brandishing boomerangs as Sokka’s symbol... and all of them with a blue wolf symbol sewed on their shirts. Well, all except a certain snobbish girl who wanted to stand out amongst her fellow fans and only got wrecked by Azula for it :’D if anyone was wondering, the girl in pink and purple is, of course, the infamous Hina.

I suppose some people may have wanted to know why I gave Yang the name he’s got, despite my constant complaints about a certain Yang in this fandom, also famed for being a writer... :’) well, it was an unhappy coincidence I only realized when the chapter introducing him was published xD I actually took inspiration for his and Haiyan’s name from chinese athletes, and it completely slipped my mind that there was a Yang in the Avatar fandom already. So, in case anyone thought I was making a spoof of the comics’ writer, I most certainly wasn’t.

Anyways, beyond that particular matter, I always have enjoyed those two. Theirs is one of many relationships Sokka and Azula can relate to, and their dynamics are really amusing to me. Being happily married to a writer sounds like something rather heroic to me, considering what we can be like :’D I’ve always had a lot of respect and sympathy for Haiyan because of that xD I really enjoyed the idea of designing a not-so-conventional couple, with Yang being absolutely no use at any physical activities while his wife is the tallest, most muscular woman in the entire story, finding jobs in construction and on her downtime fighting as a gladiator. The idea of Haiyan towering over her husband and being able to lift him over her shoulder is delightful to me and, let’s be real, Yang would love it xD writing these characters and their relationship has been a lot of fun.

Revisiting the Slate, art-wise, is no walk in the park... but even though the Arena itself is only the background for the bottom-left corner scene, I feel like it’s a thousand times better than my first depiction of it. I liked playing with the lighting in that scene, since the light is really coming from the lava below the fighting ring. It’s a challenging scene to depict for sure (and Haiyan’s samurai-inspired armor certainly wasn’t easy to design either xD), but I really was happy with the final result.

I hope you enjoyed this one too, and that you look forward to tomorrow’s new artwork! :D

#gladiator seventh anniversary #sokkla #sokka #azula #gladiator #yang #haiyan #hina #ngl that blue pack sure kicked my ass #too many characters #it feels like a miracle that they came out okay #I also struggled a lot with making Yang's hair adequately spiky #if anyone's ever told you drawing spiky hair is easy #do not believe 'em #no idea who would say that honestly but between Yang and Jeong Jeong I want to give all characters a blowdryer #or maybe a flat-iron #no more spikes

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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You say I'm heartless And you say I don't care I used to be there for you And you've said I seem so dead, that I have changed But so have you

COUNTDOWN: 9 days to Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

For economy’s sake, and for my drawing hand’s too, I skipped the New Day by Day arc, centered around Sokka and Azula figuring out their rhythm in their blooming relationship and learning more about each other... I enjoy that arc a lot, short as it is, but I always have to make sacrifices in these projects...

So, instead we get the big showdown between Sokka and Rhone, an OC with a really angsty backstory. This was my second time properly drawing Rhone and I don’t think I have the hang of him yet, not even in the least xD but at least I think I’ve portrayed his overbearing bitterness properly. In a way, Rhone is a dark mirror to Sokka: where Sokka turned his luck around and has even become the Princess’s irreplaceable partner, Rhone wants nothing but to destroy the Fire Nation completely, and as violently as possible if he can get away with it. Naturally, he can’t get away with it... not yet, anyhow :’)

This arc was obviously more centered around Sokka than Azula, but she is at her most supportive so far when Sokka decides to face Rhone again. It’s probably one of the first nice instances of Sokka and Azula communicating rationally and reasonably about a problem instead of bottling things up in a pointless bid not to make the other uncomfortable xD which is what they did for the bulk of Part 1 and at least the first arc of Part 2. So... growth! Relationships evolve, and watching it happen can be lots of fun.

I guess this is the bluest artwork I’ve ever drawn (?) but I really enjoy the outcome of it all. The background may not be the most complicated one ever, but I really like it? xD The contrast between Sokka and Rhone as kids against them as gladiators was as good as guaranteed as soon as I started to ponder how to depict this arc. At any rate, I hope you enjoyed it and that you look forward to tomorrow’s new artwork!

#gladiator seventh anniversary #sokkla #sokka #azula #rhone #gladiator #I dunno this one's kinda simpler than many others but I like it a lot even if Rhone is a pain in the ass to draw (?)#drawing a visual representation of the relationships between these three characters was so much fun though #I mean sure at this point Rhone flat-out hates them both XD but it's a different kind of hatred #if that makes any sense

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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Hope decays Generations disappear Washed away As a nation simply stares

Don’t wanna reach for me do you I mean nothing to you The little things give you away But there will be no mistaking The levees are breaking

COUNTDOWN: 1 day to Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

The song linked above is one of those I can only associate with Azula and Ozai’s decaying relationship… and it fit this arc incredibly, even disturbingly well.

Here we are, the final arc for what could be considered the first half of Part 2. Epic as it was in several parts, this was one of the darkest arcs in the story so far as well (Slave Riot may be its main competition in Part 2 but you guys haven’t seen enough of it yet to know why so I’ll shut my mouth…), and it definitely marked a breaking point in Azula’s relationship with Ozai. They may have somewhat returned to normalcy some arcs afterwards, but neither one will ever forget what happened here… and for good reason.

I cheated my way out of making a specific background for this one because drawing Ozai looking so larger-than-life seemed a better idea to me xD his shadow is, curiously, in front of him: Seethus is obviously not that tricky to draw X’D hooded figure with creepy hands, that’s all. But their partnership is a pretty horrific one, where Seethus is what Ozai himself called his executioner: whenever he needs stealth, silence, quick solutions, the Fire Lord resorts to this man and he takes care of everything himself. How many times has Ozai resorted to Seethus for help? Why… I’m the writer and I can’t even say I know :’D but an assassin who can scarcely be tracked or found is an essential asset for someone like Ozai, especially when that asset will do anything and everything Ozai asks without question.

This artwork also marks the first time I draw the multi-colored fire! Granted, it’s a fire I borrowed from canon unlike Azula’s gold, but I still had no idea if I’d pull it off or not. Doesn’t look terrible though xD Seethus’s dead fire looks weird, I’m sure, the plan was to make it look more like smoke… but I hope it works anyhow.

Azula’s expression is one of the most extreme I’ve give her so far, at first I dreaded it’d look terrible but it’s not THAAAT bad… not perfect I suppose, but not horrific either xD meanwhile, her trusted dragon looks better than I’ve ever drawn him before and I still whimper like an idiot because of that XD such a fierce baby Xin Long is…

Sokka and Rhone round out this artwork, for as Azula was clashing headfirst against her father, Sokka and Rhone were somewhat, SOMEWHAT, mending fences in this arc, to the point where Sokka even works to save Rhone… theirs is yet another complicated relationship, I’ve already said as much, and it’s only going to get more complicated when Rhone returns once again to the story.

So! One day to go! Tomorrow’s entry is by far the craziest one I’ve got under my sleeve, so… you guys ready? :’D I sure hope soooo…

#gladiator seventh anniversary #sokkla #sokka #azula #ozai #xin long #seethus #rhone #I had to draw Ozai's diva hair that was a must #I haven't done it enough for my own good (?)#but honestly I have no idea when I learned to draw that dragon #I am in shock that he looks so cool #I wanna draw him again #see if I still got it (?)#because holy cow #I want him to engulf me in Azula's flames too (?)

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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With a heart staying obstinate, The pebble can go anywhere it wants. Fragile like sand, it crumbles In a future you can’t even read one letter of. … Even in a single cold stone, I’m sure there is a hot passion hidden within. Since it’s going to happen anyway, I want to win In the future that I can’t see anything of.

COUNTDOWN: 4 days to Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

The most Toph-centric arc up to date (… possibly the most Toph-centric in the entire story, come to think of it) warranted being as epic as I could possibly make it. It was certainly a tricky one, but I’m proud of the outcome, portraying the duality in Toph’s circumstances this arc.

Seeing as fics are indeed fics, some developments are predictable enough due to how canon developed :’D that Toph would discover metalbending for the first time in the Slate was probably the most obvious thing ever for most readers, but I still found it really exciting to offer Toph a new way to discover metalbending. Her fight against The Storm’s Edge is the biggest challenge she has faced up to date. Never before had her victorious streak been at such risk of breaking… but she pulled through! Last-minute metalbending discovery FTW!

It was honestly unintentional on my part that the outfit I designed for her this time, her flame-retardant clothes, would end up resembling her LOK police officer armor/uniform, but when I realized they were the same colors I actually didn’t mind it one bit xD consider it a very strange way to pay homage to metalbending police officer Toph from canon (?)

Of course, the duality I mentioned above refers to Toph’s rift with Iroh and growing closeness with Azula and Sokka. Her relationship with Iroh was ever so stable and steady… up until the end of Part 1, where Toph unknowingly pushed Zuko to leave the Fire Nation. And the more distance Iroh built between himself and his gladiator, the closer she grew to Azula and Sokka. The rivalry between both teams endures still and it always will, but by now Toph cherishes those two with everything she’s got.

Despite my obvious grievances with his character, I didn’t want to portray Iroh at his worst in this arc: instead, I chose the moment where he finally comes back to his senses and rushes to the Slate to find Toph. And I’m pretty happy I chose to do that because I don’t think I’ve ever drawn a better Iroh than this one XD his despair as he watched his estranged partner fighting impossible odds was a good subject to portray. And of course, Toph hugging both Azula and Sokka was a must. There were some really dark moments for Toph in this arc, but the power of friendship prevailed somehow :’D

Lastly, the song I linked this time around has become my actual Toph theme song in Gladiator, no contest. And… that’s that for today! I hope you guys will enjoy tomorrow’s entry too!

#gladiator seventh anniversary #sokkla #sokka #azula #toph #iroh #gladiator #honestly Toph has two registers in Gladiator #feral and ready to tear anyone a new one (which let's be real is her default mode)#and soft-happy because she loves her friends #yeah I do have plans on giving her her own love interest as must be obvious but #her most important relationships BY FAR #are the ones she has with these three #and she hates being pulled back and forth by Azula and Iroh's eternal cold war #but she loves them forever no matter if they hate each other #I didn't expect I'd have so many feels over Toph but here we are (?)#this girl needs all the hugs and fortunately she's getting one in this artwork (?)

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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I ride the lightning, roll with the thunder I’m going down, down, down with my sisters and brothers I fell in love with their darkest parts Stand on the side of the wild at heart I plucked the feather off a crow so I could fly Since I was thirteen years old, I’ve had my fist to the sky

COUNTDOWN: 7 days to Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

Toph’s discovery of Azula and Sokka’s secret relationship was only a matter of time. I mean, in all fairness she kind of knew since the Pairs Tournament that they were head over heels with each other, but not enough had happened yet… by now she caught them in the act, however, and like all smart people, she decided to keep their secret under one condition…

… Said condition being the all-out bending brawl she has wanted to hold with Azula since chapter 27 xD Almost took her 100 chapters, but FINALLY Toph fulfilled her dream!

I’ve never even bothered hiding that I love Azula and Toph’s friendship and it’s definitely one of my favorites in the story, especially during Toph and Iroh’s rough patch. Toph doesn’t really have a lot of people in her life, so when she makes a friend she’s basically ride-or-die with them, and she’s absolutely that with Azula and Sokka. So, while a short arc, I REALLY wanted to draw this even if I’ve already depicted their showdown before xD but I just wanted to do it again, especially because of my own dream of featuring Sokka and Xin Long watching from the sidelines, both reacting in their own ways to watching these two deck it out xD I’m sooo proud of how Xin Long came out this time. That’s definitely the cutest expression I’ve drawn on him so far.

The song linked to the artwork this time is one I’ve associated with Toph as well. I’m not going to lie, I tend to associate crazy chaotic songs with her xD but that one’s definitely been my go-to soundtrack for Azula and Toph’s big fight since I first started to plan it.

Hope you guys enjoyed this one, and strap on your seatbelts! There’s a reeeeally special surprise in tomorrow’s artwork, which, you may recall, is about a pretty intense arc… :’)

#gladiator seventh anniversary #sokkla #sokka #azula #toph #xin long #gladiator #what really makes this work #is that the two of them are actively thrilled to find out which one's stronger #if Azula hadn't been a warrior Toph would have kept their secret without any conditions #she only asks for this here because it was the perfect excuse :'D #and Azula agreed xD #they're such a ridiculous match and I'll always love them for that #this is what quality BroTPs are made of

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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I want to protect this place where our love lives forever. It doesn’t matter that my body is burned by fate. Taking the torch in my hand, I illuminate the winter sky. Just believe in the star of my heart.

COUNTDOWN: 5 days to Gladiator’s Seventh Anniversary

And this one’s a bit late and out of place, I’m sure you all must think so x’D technically, this probably should have been the second artwork altogether, story-wise, but for balance’s sake I figured it was better to put it halfway through the new artworks instead. And as things got pretty complicated for Zuko and Suki in their happy trip, it was as good as mandatory for me to make an artwork about the South Pole this time around.

The artwork itself isn’t exactly accurate regarding the first encounter between the two lovebirds and the Southern Water Tribe, it was waaaay more hostile than this xD but my hand insisted on drawing something representative of how Zuko felt about the whole thing instead of the actual situation (which… let’s face it, would have been a lot less dignified for him, half-frozen by Katara as he was o_O). So that’s why he’s embracing Suki in a protective gesture, while they’re outnumbered and outmatched, their ship frozen behind them.

As for the Water Tribe people, I have a knack of always drawing Katara when she’s in a bad mood so woops. Angry Katara again, as usual :’D I haven’t drawn Hakoda too many times, but I hope he looks hunky enough (?) And the three guys near them are, of course, the three young soldiers seen with Sokka since the early days of the story: Haka is to the left, next to Katara, while Yuro is the short one next to Hakoda and Kattan is at Yuro’s other side. I very deliberately modeled them after three canon kiddos from Sokka’s warrior class from episode 1:

Yeah, these three are technically OCs anyhow, but I thought it was a good idea to base these guys on those little ones xD so there we have it!

I’m genuinely sad, despite it was inevitable because of the composition of this artwork, that I couldn’t feature Aang and Kino in a way that worked, especially since those two become Zuko’s bros in latter chapters in the Southern Water Tribe. But I suppose I’ll have to hold those two back for the next anniversary, can’t really be helped…

At any rate! I hope you liked this one too, it’s a bit of a change of scenery before we return to the Fire Nation with the rest of the artworks!

#gladiator seventh anniversary #zuki #zuko #suki #katara #hakoda #haka #kattan #yuro #gladiator #first time drawing those three #I hope they'll be easier to visualize from now on :D #but yeah this is the dignified 'lite' version of what happened #heck it's so 'lite' I outright forgot to give them all weapons except for the two benders #t'was a nasty fight #also um I really like the way the back of Zuko's head turned out #I don't even know wtf I did #it just looks good #I am pleased

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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I’ll follow you. No matter where you are in the darkness of this bitter world you will shine, and exceed the limits of the future. To prevent your spirit from being broken because of your weakness you converge with my way. Now, God bless us…

COUNTDOWN: 2 days to Gladiator’s 7th Anniversary

And we’re looming closer and closer to the grand finale! :D

The most Ty Lee/Haru-centric arc in the story, Haru’s Family was a difficult one to write for a fair amount of reasons. I suppose it’s clear as day by now that I wasn’t in the best mindset by the time I was working on this one, but it’s probably better not to think too much about that :’D

Haru and Ty Lee always had a smooth partnership, not quite as smooth as Toph and Iroh’s used to be, but smooth nonetheless. Sometimes it looked like they could never have any problems, I suppose… but the truth was rather different. Ty Lee is a free, happy soul on the outside, but she bears with a lot of pain she doesn’t know how to disguise properly. Haru is much like her in that sense, and of course, two people who bottle things up and haven’t worked much on their communication skills can’t possibly go through life without having any issues. It was certainly interesting to delve into Ty Lee’s vulnerabilities here, and it was cruel that I dealt with Haru’s poor father as I did, I know… but the decision I made regarding Tyro was surprisingly a turning point for the entirety of Part 2: soooo much hinges on Azula’s big confrontation with the Warden, which then leads her to write the slavery laws, which as you may have noticed will be relevant again in Slave Riot… :’D

I did want to feature another scene with Sokka and Azula in this one, sadly I couldn’t make it work because my hand would NOT cooperate with depicting the scenes I had in mind. Instead, I chose to show the two pairs of sponsors and gladiators, watching the accursed Prison Rig at a distance, and at the bottom, the brewing, complicated, strange rivalry between Rui Shi and Renkai. Fortunately, the center of the artwork came off better than I expected :’D I really had never drawn Ty Lee undergoing any emotions other than happiness up until this artwork x’D I also may have fumbled her hairstyle slightly, but heck, she’s older than in canon and allowed to change her hair if just a little (?)

It may not show very much, but Rui Shi is wearing the Imperial Guard uniform this time! Unlike the Royal Guard uniform, which I basically made up by memory (… did I ever mention my memory is dreadful?), this time I looked up what Ozai’s Imperial Firebenders from canon wore, because yes, that’s who the Imperial Guards from Gladiator are supposed to be :’D

And I guess that’s that for this one. Stay tuned because there’s a big one coming up tomorrow…

#gladiator seventh anniversary #sokkla #sokka #azula #tyru #ty lee #haru #rui shi #renkai #word of advice - don't draw the prison rig #it is nasty as a concept #dreadful as an art subject #it's really a shame there's not enough Sokkla here but I'd hope the previous one was intense enough to make up for it (?)#... then again the final day should make up plenty for any shippy necessities any of us may have :'D #spoiler-not-spoiler (?)

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