Eyeshield 21

Eyeshield 21 is a manga about American football written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata. It has been adapted into an anime movie in 2004 (shown at Jump Festa), an anime television series in 2005. The twenty five volumes have collectively sold over 16 million copies in Japan, and the number of children playing American football has almost doubled in the four years since it began. The manga is published in English by VIZ Media. The anime version, produced by NAS and animated by Artland, premiered across Japan on TV Tokyo from 6 April 2005, and is currently airing across Japan on the satellite television network Animax.

The plot of Eyeshield 21 revolves around a physically unassuming and non-assertive boy named Sena Kobayakawa, a freshman in highschool of Deimon Private Senior High School. His only remarkable physical abilities are his running speed and dodging techniques, the result of a school life spent complying with the demands of bullies, quickly catch the eye of the high school's American football team captain Yoichi Hiruma, the most feared person in his school. Sena life changes when Hiruma forces him to join the Football Team as the running back. To protect his identity (on the premise that other school sports teams will try to recruit Sena upon discovering his athletic skill) Sena is forced to publicly assume the role of team secretary, and enter the field wearing a helmet equipped with a green-tinted eyeshield in order to hide his features under the pseudonym of "Eyeshield 21".

Actually the Deimon Devil Bats have a two good player before Sena comes along these two are Ryokan, and Yoichi. Ryokan is a friendly guy who's big, strong and has an infectious enthusiasm for American football. Then there's Yoichi, the devious, scheming quarterback whose skills on the gridiron and knowledge of football strategy is sometimes overshadowed by his fondness for shooting off powerful weapons to convince others to see things his way. Although both Ryokan and Yoichi are talented players, the Deimon Devil Bats are a woefully understaffed team, with only two full-timers and a ragtag bunch of miscellaneous athletes that Yoichi manages to blackmail to convince to play on their team on game day. Other teams write them off as disorganized losers who'll never get their act together enough to win. Now that they have Sena on their side, the Devil Bats finally have a chance to win (if they can ever teach him how to play the game).

The team initially takes part in the Spring football tournament (at the beginning of the Japanese school year) hoping to win with through the strength of their new "secret weapon". But the elimination is quit tough that the weak team early eliminated on by the Ojo White Knights, a powerhouse football team. It is in this game that Sena meets the man he will acknowledge as his ultimate rival, Seijuro Shin, a talented linebacker.

After Deimon's defeat, the Spring tournament is revealed as a secondary in importance to the Fall tournament, where the teams compete for the chance to play in the "Christmas Bowl", the high school football league championship. Hiruma, Kurita and Sena regroup and slowly build a real team from other misfits and students looking to define themselves, with the goal of reaching the championship. The series follows the building and growth of the Deimon Devil Bats and its members, as well as various rival teams encountered through their games and tournaments, as they all strive to achieve their goal of playing in the Christmas Bowl. Can Sena's golden legs overcome his lack of knowledge of the game of football, and can this mismatched team turn their dreams into championship reality?

Kyo Kara Maoh!!! - God (?) Save Our King!!!

Kyo Kara Maoh!!! [God (?) Save Our King!!!] is a novel written by Tomo Takabayashi which have been adapted into an anime series released domestically by Geneon USA, a manga and a series of audio dramas. The story follows the adventures of 15-year old Yuuri Shibuya as he discovers his future in a world where demons and humans are fighting against one another.

Yuuri Shibuya is an average high school student whose passion in life belong to a baseball game. His life change when an unexpected incident happened, some guys bully him and used to flush him in the toilet. His head get dunked in the toilet but surprisingly he sucked into it and ends up in another world. When he reach mysterious land, he sees some people dressed in medieval costume and speaking in some weird vernacular. There he meets Adalbert von Grantz who uses some form of magic so Yuuri understands the local language. He also meets Conrad Weller and Günter von Kleist who rescue him and take him to Blood Pledge Castle, the residence of the Maoh, where he soon finds out he is the new Maoh or Demon King will rule over “Shin Makoku” (True Demonic Kingdom). He is declared the 27th Maoh of the Mazoku (Demon Race) because of the strange power that suddenly transforms him into the Maou, deliverer of justice, this form can be recognized mainly by the longer hair and demon eyes.

At first encounter with Wolfram von Bielefeld at the Demon Kingdom, he ends up engaged to him due to a mishap. It is because Wolfram get angry that Yuuri has been chosen as the Maou so he makes the mistake of insulting Yuuri's mother which earns him a slap. Unfortunately there is a noble rule of a Mazoku propose a marriage, it is by slapping another noble on his/her left cheek. Actually the slap was considered as unmanly but it is explained that Yuuri slapped Wolfram because he has a beautiful face, otherwise he would have punched him. Incensed by this insult, Wolfram challenges Yuuri to a duel, which is also mistakenly accepted because of Yuuri's unfamiliarity with Mazoku custom (he picked up the knife that fell off the table). During the duel Yuuri transforms into the true Demon King for the first time, proving that he has a right to the throne. Throughout the story, Yuuri gets dragged between the two worlds at inconvenient times. He also constantly confronted with the results of even the smallest choices he makes.

The series is predominantly made up of good-looking young men which lead to an assumption of being a shōjo (anime and manga written for a female audience). The series is often mistaken for such boys love because of its calm acceptance of homosexuality in the setting such as an early plot point that ends with two male characters becoming engaged, accurately the series can be called a “male harem”. Romance is not a main theme of the series, though it has a flourishing fan-community dedicated to various romantic pairings. As the series goes it reveals that it is more about justice and friendship.

Inuyasha: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass

InuYasha: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass is the second movie of the InuYasha movie series. In this film, the character designs are virtually identical to the Rumiko Takahashi versions, from the original manga (rather than using the Yoshihito Hishinuma designs, from the TV anime).

The film begins with the battle between Inuyasha and Naraku, Inuyasha's biggest enemy. Together with his colleague, they finally defeat Naraku. There is a doubt whether Naraku is truly dead, however the disappearance of Miroku's Wind Tunnel and the return of Kohaku's memories are the proof that Naraku has finally been laid to rest, also Kagura's heart is in her body again. So the gang turns their efforts to their individual concerns and try to go back to normal lives. Kagome briefly returns to her time period to catch up in school and happens to be learning about the legend of Princess Kaguya. She was a maiden from the moon, found by a bamboo cutter in the forest. As suitors proposed to her, Kaguya presented to them impossible tasks before returning to the moon.

The legend was true, Kaguya is a so-called fallen angel (it is never specified if she is truly an angel, or a mere demon who thinks she is) who desires the Celestial Robe, which can make her immortal and rule the world. However, long ago Kaguya was sealed away in a mirror that seems similar to Kanna. Meanwhile, Kagura and Kanna, the two surviving incarnations of Naraku, are somewhat restless now that Naraku is dead. They come across a mirror in a hidden shrine and awaken a Celestial Maiden Kaguya, Princess of the Heavens. In exchange for freeing her, Kaguya promises to give Kagura her true heart's desire, freedom. To set the maiden free they must gather five items and drop them into the five lakes of Fuji. So Kagura and Kanna set out to recover five items that will free Kaguya from her mirror completely. The five items are the Jeweled Sprig, Crystal from the Dragon's neck, the Cloth of the Fire Rat which a half-demon wear (Inuyasha’s robe), Swallows Cowrie Shell and Stone Bowl of Buddha.

Sango returned to her village to search for his brother. Kohaku has returned to Sango's village without any memory as to who he is. He was found by her sister Sango and taken to their old house. While Miroku returned to his master, Mushin, and it's presents him a task that is to be given to the surviving descendant who defeats Naraku. This is to destroy a yōkai who threatens to cast the world into eternal night, at which the first sign of the yōkai's appearance for the first time in 50 years is a full moon shining for many nights.

In this movie new character were introduced his name is Akitoki Hojo and he is the ancestor of Hojo, the boy who has a huge crush on Kagome. He is a clumsy, naive but very sweet young man. He was first seen wandering through the woods as he stumbles upon Kagome, Sango, and Shippo at a hot spring. When Shippo finds out later, however, this information is used against him. He is the keeper of a celestial robe which his family has commanded him to cast into Mount Fuji, lest it fall into a demon's hands. He joins Inuyasha's group, partly because he has a bit of a crush on Kagome and partly because he is being blackmailed by Shippo for an earlier incident.

Kagura and Kanna find already find the Jeweled Sprig and Crystal from the Dragon's neck and drop it in the lake. One of the remaining item is the Cloth of the Fire Rat which was the rob of Inuyasha. When Kagome returns to InuYasha's time and the two of them, along with Shippō, go to find the remaining shards of the jewel. They get along and fight with Kagura because this evil woman wants the robe and she successfully got it. The Swallows Cowrie Shell was in the hand of Kohaku, so Kagura takes fight to him and also to Sango to get the item. Last the Stone Bowl of Buddha was in Kikyo's hand but she surrender it to Kagura without any fight and her intension was undetermined.

Kaguya finally freed from the mirror and she manage to steal the Celestial Robe to Akitoki because this will make her immortal and in order to rule the world. Along the fight in stealing the Celestial Robe, Kagome ends up getting kidnapped with the robe. To save Kagome, Inuyasha need to go to the castle of Kagura. InuYasha meets up with Miroku and Sango again and they prepare to rescue Kagome and stop Kaguya. Kaguya, whose power has increased exponentially now that she has the hagoromo, prepares to freeze time into eternal night. Kaguya tries to turn InuYasha into a full demon but his voice woke Kagome up and she attempts to stop the transformation by hugging him, saying “I love you as a half demon, InuYasha!” and by kissing him. It was the kiss that made Kaguya's mirror cracks and returning InuYasha to his half demon form. As they battle Naraku reappears revealing that he had purposely faked his death in order to absorb Kaguya. Inuyasha manage to kill Kaguya's physical form by using his backlash wave, but it end up in the form of black cloud and attempts to absorb Kagome to gain new body. In the end she is killed by Miroku's Wind Tunnel attack. Akitoki finally throws Kaguya's hagoromo into a volcano to stop any other beings from ever using its power. However Naraku still alive and escape along with Kohaku which again back to Naraku's side because of the curse.

The movie has good twist and I really like the fact that Kagome and Inuyasha get a lot closer than ever before, I also like the bonding of Sango and Miroku too. And Shippō still manage his comedy aura that makes the story more colorful. I find out that the main essence of the movie is no other than the most powerful force in the world, “LOVE”. Although the story has no definite ending it is still very well recommended and I will not regret to watch it over and over again.

Predator

My first Predator rough. I would like to paint this piece some day when I can afford the luxury of time. I based this drawing on a comic book by Chris Warner & the new AVP designs.

The New Frontier

Martian Man Hunter it's always a fun character to work with, specially with that unusual look Darwyn gave him.
Probably one of the best things I have ever worked for. I was fortunate enough to do some character design freelance for it.
I got to work on Hal Jordan and the Martian Man Hunter between many others.
Here is a still related to one of the characters I worked with.
Justice League The New Frontier was released on DVD February 26 2008.
I'm proud of you Darwyn.

Pet Shop of Horrors

Pet Shop of Horrors is a Japanese horror manga created by Matsuri Akino. Madhouse produced a 4-episode OVA adaptation of various chapters of the manga. In an unusual move for an OVA series, the anime first aired as a miniseries on the TBS television network. The series focuses on the eccentric Count D, proprietor of a mysterious pet shop located in the heart of Chinatown, and the numerous patrons who visit his shop. The customer has typically under gone some sort of personnel loss, and Count D attempts to sell them an appropriate pet to fill the void. Each pet purchased from the shop comes with a contract with three major points. These points differ for each animal sold, and breaking this contract usually results in dire (and sometimes disturbing) consequences for the buyer, for which the pet shop claims no liability. Individual chapter usually introducing one or more new characters in each chapter. The detective Leon Orcot is used to tie the chapters together into an ongoing plot, usually in the form of a subplot within each chapter. Initially he suspects Count D of malicious criminal activity and using the pet shop as a front for drug trafficking. As the series progresses, he learns more about the pet shop and Count D himself, entering into a strange friendship of sorts with the Count as he works to uncover the truth.

Episode 1: Daughter

A rich couple has lost their only daughter, Alice. The bereaved couple comes to the shop and Count D offers to sell them a rabbit, a rabbit that looks exactly like their recently deceased daughter Alice. The couple is overjoyed and wants to takes the rabbit home. The Count has them sign a contract, explaining that 1) no one else may see Alice, 2) incense must be burned at all times, and 3) feed Alice only water and vegetables. If these terms are not kept, the shop cannot be held responsible for the consequences. The couple agrees and leave with their new “pet”, unaware the vigilant Leon is watching them. The pet brought so much happiness to the couple and entirely forgot that their daughter died. Once then, Alice begs for sweets, and ignoring their contract, the couple gives in. Their love for Alice makes them breach one of the contract's terms. A bat-winged creature (the Count's pet) informs him of the situation. The Count can only shake his head in sorrow. Meanwhile, Alice writhes in agony and to the couple's horror, her stomach explodes. The couple is overrun by bizarre creatures and the mother will have to face up to the real reasons behind her daughter's death. Their daughter (the real Alice) died because of her drug addiction, pushed over the edge by the last bit of cocaine her mother reluctantly gives her. Again, she dies because of her mother's love. A repeated mistake led to the loss of her daughter, again.

Episode 2: Delicious

The popular idol singer Evangeline Blue and her manager Jason Green are about to be wed on a luxury ship when Evangeline “accidentally” falls overboard, her body never to be found. The heartbroken Jason travels to Count D's to pick up a pet that Eva had supposedly ordered. His “pet” to purchase also resembles his lost love, but this time the doppelganger is in mermaid form. He was surprised that the pet turns out to be a mermaid who looks exactly like Eva. The contract for this pet instructs that no one may see her, she must be kept in clean salt water, and, most importantly, she must never go hungry. Leon thinks that Jason killed his wife and investigates further, eventually learning the truth of what happened that night. Meanwhile, Jason might just be giving new meaning to the term “sleeping with the fishes”.

Episode 3: Despair

Robin Hendricks is an actor, after the phenomenal success of his debut movie, Robin couldn't get any more acting jobs. His wife had left him and his acting career was going nowhere because he had been typecast. Then, he was found dead in his apartment. The detective Leon immediately suspects the Count in the crime. A sugary treat convinces the Count to be talkative, and he tells Leon that the life of Robin was a lonely one and all he had was his collection of exotic lizards. On a visit to the pet shop to pick up an additional pet to cheer himself up, Count D shows something special to Robin. It is a very rare species of reptile known as Medusa, with the face and upper body of a beautiful woman, but the lower half of a large lizard. The condition is Robin could never look into Medusa's eyes, so Medusa lizard must always wear a blindfold, for her gaze could kill. Inspired by his new creature, Robin gives his all at his next audition so he can once again feel the adoration of the fans. But sometimes that just isn't enough and he realized that the only one can give him true love is his new pet. Too bad for him because the gaze of his pet lover's eyes will turn him to stone. And it happened.

Episode 4: Dual

This strange story is about Kelly, an assistant to a young politician named Roger Stanford. This young politician comes from a long line of success in politics, but is considered the bad apple of the family due to his carefree and being a womanizer. His faithful assistant Kelly Vincent tries Roger's political career was on the right track. Kelly is determined to make Roger the president of the United States that's why they want the legendary animal called the Kirin, who grants the wish of its sovereign through the blood of others. Count D just happens to have one Kirin in stock. Roger tries to convince the Count to sell the Kirin, however the Count refuse and told that the Kirin is the one who will decide to whom it will belong. Kelly has a long talk with Roger's wife Nancy, who is unhappy with politics, she feels Kelly is just being used by her lothario husband. After Kelly and Nancy revisit the shop, The Count informs them he will now sell the Kirin. Roger and Kelly return the following day, whereupon the Kirin, in the guise of a little girl, is given to them. The Count reiterates the Kirin will decide who is its master, and grant its master one wish. On the way back home, a school bus full of children is in peril, but the quick thinking of Roger and Kelly prevent a disaster. However, their car goes over a cliff. Which man will the Kirin call master and allow to live?

Fate / Stay Night

This amazing anime chronicles follows a two-weeks period in the life of Shirō Emiya and the battle for the Holy Grail. Shirō Emiya is a serious helpful, hardworking and honest teenager. He was adopted by Kiritsugu Emiya after his parent died ten years ago in a massive inferno that incinerated them. Shirō made a good bond to his poster father Kiritsugu. When he discover that his poster father is a magi, he dream to be a “Hero of Justice”, a guardian of mankind who could protect the weak and innocent. When Kiritsugu died Shirō became prostrated with his progress in sorcery.

Unknown to Shirō, Fuyuki city is the setting for a second and violent war among competing magi. For the past two centuries, seven sorcerers better known as masters, aided by their spiritual familiars known as servants, assemble and engage in a battle royal. These seven sorcerers gambled their life only to obtain the Holy Grail. A Holy Grail is a legendary chalice capable of granting wishes. Servant are the reincarnations of legendary souls from all across time. These epic spirits possess superhuman characteristics and wield or abilities called Noble Phantasm. A Noble Phantasm hidden abilities may be released by invoking its true name, but casual brandishing of it is best avoided, for symbolic Noble Phantasms usually belie a Servant's identity, diminishing that Servant's competitive advantage. Only one Servant can be summoned in each war from one of seven classes: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Berserker, Rider, Assassin, and Caster.

Tactics

Tactics follows the exploits of the young man with the ability to see goblins and other mythical beasts named Kantarou Ichinomiya. Ever since he was born he had the 6^th sense to see the demons and others mythical creatures called “Oni”. When he was a little boy his friend Oni told him about the creature that is stronger than Oni called “Tengu”, it is the legendary demon-eating goblin. Since that story told him he dream to have a Tengu that will be his buddy forever. When he grew up he became a folklorist, who write books and article about Japanese folklore, but he also work as a monster buster secretly. In the episode “The Black Goblin Awakens”, Kantarou went to exorcise monster he was lead to a rural shrine up in the mountain where the Tengu, demon-eating goblin was sealed there. When Kantarou breaks the seal, he named the Tengu Haruka, in naming a Tengu it forces to be a slave of someone who gave name with it. As the fulfillment of Kantarou dream, Haruka became his partner in fighting the evil Oni. With his tengu and his kitsune, they solve mysteries, and help the yokai situation in Japan.

As the story progress, there's a lot of yokai case that Kantarou and Haruka faced such as the case that deals with the mystery of the missing children and the dragon god. The two new characters also introduced, namely Sugino and Mou-chan. Sugino is a handsome supernatural creature not unlike Haruka. Mou-chan is an odd choice for wife that he loves immeasurably. He has a dislike for humans and considers himself superior in every way. Sugino finds Haruka fascinating and gives him some words of warning regarding his bond to the human Kantarou.

In the episode “Dancer in the Darkness”, Kantarou together with Haruka and other friends returned to his home town to visit a childhood friend who is now a famous geisha. She expresses concerns about her latest client who has her perform the same dance during every session while a stranger watches from the shadows. Her client also happens to be a renowned doll maker who engages in questionable behavior with his latest creation. When she was called again to perform in the house of the doll maker she brought Kantarou and the gag with her because something was bothering her when she performed. Kantarou discover that there is an evil spirit in the house and they find out that it is in the doll's body. Using his kitsune and the help of Haruka they save the geisha however the fight start to burn the house. The doll maker let himself eaten by the fire together with the doll who he dream to have life.

As Haruka's past slowly comes back to him, his relationship with his master starts to crack. Haruka struggles with his past and yearns to learn of everything he had forgotten, especially the identity of the person who had sealed him within the huge rock boulders. This is the point where Minamoto Raiko and his group of soldiers come in. Together with another formidable demon, Raiko and his attendants plot many plans to try and force Kantarou to cancel the name contract or make Haruka awaken his real powers, such that they would be able to capture Haruka and present him to "that person" whose identity is unknown. If the name contract is not canceled or if the master dies, Haruka's power would forever be restrained and he would not be able to be used by the antagonists. But unfortunately those antagonist did not success in their evil mission and Haruka back in his senses and go back to Kantarou. They start again and do their usual routine such as fighting evil spirit and saving people.

Girl From Hell (Jigoku Shōjo)

Jigoku Shōjo, also known as Girl From Hell, is an anime series features a mysterious website where you can post a grudge at the stroke of midnight. Soon after you post, a young-looking girl arrives to give you a straw doll with a red string around its neck. Pull the red string, and the person you’re pissed at instanly goes to Hell. In exchange when you die, your soul where sent to Hell too.

Each short story of which the series consists describes the suffering of a different individual caused by one or more antagonists. Somewhere in the vast sea of the Internet, there's a website that can only be accessed at the stroke of midnight by one who harbors a desire for revenge against their tormentor. A website known as Jigoku Tsūshin (Hell Correspondence) rumor has it that if you post a grudge there, the Jigoku Shōjo (Hell Girl) will appear and will offer a black straw doll (first season; in the following season the doll may be either red, blue or black) with a red string wound about its neck. If the string is pulled, she will ferry the recipient of the revenge straightaway to Hell, but on the condition that those who request her intervention fall into Hell as well at the end of their natural lives. The so called Hell Girl is a young red-eyed girl wearing a traditional sailor school uniform named Enma Ai.

Enma Ai lives in a house in an unknown world with her grandmother. She got her three assistant that when they are not in service they stay in the form of straw dolls. Those three are Ichimoku Ren, a handsome young man in casual clothes and takes the form of the blue straw doll, Hone-Onna, a beautiful woman wearing a kimono with the obi (sash) tied in front takes the form of the red straw doll and the last is Wanyūdō, an old man wearing a hat and a red scarf, who takes the form of the black straw doll. They help Ai during the event when their victims are confronted with their own sins, prior to the moment when Ai ferries them to hell.

A journalist named Shibata Hajime, a former blackmailer who turned to investigating the stories involving the Jigoku Shōjo, doesn't agree with Ai's methods to deliver vengeance for her clients, and tries to stop those who contacted Jigoku Shōjo from using her service with Tsugumi's help. Tsugumi is Hajime's daughter, after she encounter Ai she starts to have visions of what Ai sees.

As the series progressed, it was revealed that Hajime and Tsugumi were the descendants of a man named Sentarō Shibata. Sentaro is Ai childhood friends and cousin as well but Ai hates him because of one tragic moment. Every seven years a villager in where they lived has a tradition that a seven years-old child will be sacrificed in order to have a seven more years of prosperity. Ai parent asked Sentaro to hide Ai and he keeps Ai hidden in the mountain for six years, however great famine comes to the village. And when the villager saw the two in their secret meeting, they were accused by angering the Mountain Gods. The villager throw Ai and her parents in pit and force Sentaro to bury them. Ai is conscious at the moment and she feels that Sentaro betray her. One night he sees Ai setting the village on fire, out of his insanity and guilt he run away and grew up regretting what he had done.

The two descendants of Sentaro awakes Ai hatred and she attempts to kill Hajime and Tsugumi but unfortunately she fails. She tries to provoke Tsugumi to send her father to hell by showing Tsugumi how her mother died and her father's denial of his responsibility. Ai keeps pressing Tsugumi to pull the string while Hajime is trapped in Ai's world, but is subsequently able to escape because of Ai's grandmother, who releases him for an exchange. When Hajime admits his faults, Tsugumi returns the straw doll to Ai. Later Ai incinerates the temple built by Sentaro, which is the sign of his regrets to Ai. The season ends with Hajime and Tsugumi going back to normality and Ai continuing what she has been doing for centuries which is sending people to hell.

Sugar Sugar Rune

Sugar Sugar Rune is a manga written by Moyoco and the anime TV series is an adoptation of it. The manga won the Kodansha Manga Award for children's manga in 2005.

It is the story involves the two young witches from the Magical World. The two little witches are Chocola Meilleure and Vanilla Mu, they were chosen to compete in a contest to become Queen of the Magical World. Chocola is an outgoing and daring girl with a forceful personality and Vanilla's best friends. In the Magical World, she lives with her grandfather. Her magical spell is “Sugar Sugar Rune! Choco-Rune!”. Vanilla is a shy and timid girl and the daughter of Queen Candy. Her magical spell is “Sugar Sugar Rune! Vani-Rune!”. The past queen candidates contest is a close fight between their mothers. Chocola mother, Cinnamon Meilleure, won in the contest but because of the ogres, Vanilla's mother, Candy, became the queen. That's why Chocola is now determined to win the contest, and be that bright star (A Radiant Queen of Light) for her mother.

Queen Candy, Queen of the magical world, give them a task in order to know whose the deserving one among the two candidates. They need to go to the human world and steal human hearts as jewel, the more hearts the more chance to be a Queen. The two girl was given each pendant (a heart catcher) to keep in there those hearts that they will be collected and a stick (magic wand). The hearts reflect the feelings of each and every individual and as a result, these hearts have different colors. The value of each heart will be dependent on its color. The two girls went to the human world and was meet by Rockin' Robin, their mentor and guardian in human world. Robin is the most brilliant in collecting hearts, in human world he is a popular rock star. He enrolled the girls in school to mingle with other kids and in order to collect hearts. He gives the girls a human name Chocola Kato and Vanilla Aisu. The two girls have their own familiars which they achieve when they cast a spell. Chocola got Duke, the red-and black striped and green-eyed magical frog, he tries to help Chocola to steal hearts however he isn't much help at the beginning but he prove to be useful later on. And for Vanilla is Blanca, the magical mouse, she is good in helping Vanilla to steal hearts and she enjoys teasing Chocola, Duke, and almost anyone who annoys her.

In school they meet the mysterious boy name Pierre, he is handsome and popular in school but he has a cold heart. He's the captain of the fencing and tennis teams of the school and has a fan club of beautiful but cruel and cold junior-high students. He is also a prince of the clan called Orge. He serve the King of the Darkness in the Orge kingdom that's why he need to do some tricks to trap Chocola and Vanilla.He need to get the heart of the witches for strong power. There is the rules in magical world that one the witch lost his/her heart they will faced death.

There is a lot of adventure that Chocola and Vanilla engage with especially in the cruel hands of Pierre. In the finale, Vanilla lost her faith of friendship and accepted Pierre offer to become Orge Queen. Being an Orge Queen, she need to collect black heart, a heart that filled of sadness and hatred but in doing that herself is in jeopardy because at the end her life will be the price for it. Chocola as her bestfriend risk her life to save her, fortunately she win and she bring Vanilla back to light. In her quest to save Vanilla she discover that Pierre is her long lost childhood friend. Both Chocola and Pierre memory comes back when they where face each other in the forest where they first met. In the final battle Chocola fight the Graus, the King of Darkness, but it is too strong. Graus told her that Pierre was already dead but she didn't believe, she awaken Pierre's pink heart by saying “Pierre I will give you my heart”. Then Pierre awaken and kick Graus away from his body and everything backs to normal.

Vanilla has greater collection of heart rather than Chocola that's why she won and became the Queen of the Magical World, but she refuse to be and give the crown to her best friend. Chocola deserve the title because she gave her best even her life to save others. The two girls wish to go back to human world to learn more things in life. Pierre and Chocola continue their good relationship with each other and Pierre used to collect orange heart rather than black for good change. Eventually Pierre and Chocola fell in love with each other and Chocola became the first Queen of the Magical world and the Orge.

The story shares a lot of good value in life especially in friendship. Those two girls remain friends despite the competition they are engage with. Pierre despise his black heart only for true love. What an awesome story so inspiring.

Darth Yasin

Inspired by Terry Dodson's art, I created a new Sith...Yasin

Blood+

Blood+ (pronounces as Blood Plus) is a franchise based on 2000 animated film, Blood: The Last Vampire produced by Production I.G and Sony's anime production arm, Aniplex. Blood+ is the story of Chiropterans (the name of the order of biological classification that bats are in, this is the most likely reason for the vampiric creatures being called "Chiropterans" ) and Chevaliers (a vampire like creature) on how they inhabit the earth and their motives of living.

It all begun so many years ago when Joel Goldsmith set up the “Zoo” near Bordeaux, France and presumably begins “Joel's Diary”. The mummy of unknown life-form named SAYA is transferred to the Zoo and is later identified as Chiropterans. Extracted from its pregnant belly are two cocoons, which react to drops of human blood. Extracted from the cocoons are two children that are human in appearance, the one is named Saya and raised as a normal human in the Zoo, and the other remains unnamed, is locked up in a tower, and is used by Joel for experimentation purposes. Experimentation on that unknown child presumably continues, with Amshel, a member of a branch family, acting as an aid to Joel. Saya ceases aging and Joel becomes aware of the special properties of her blood. A 12 year old boy named Haji is introduced to Saya to investigate her reproductive potential. Saya, upon discovery of the unknown child in the tower in 1863 she named it Diva because of its brilliant voice. She told Saya that she wants to go out of that tower, so Saya promised her that she will find a way to let her out. At Joel birthday, Saya releases Diva from the tower to sing at the birthday party. And along with Haji, they go to the cliff to find flower for Joel but unfortunately Haji falls into the cliff. Saya turn him into a Chevalier via a mouth-to-mouth transfusion of her blood in order him to survive.

At the mansion Diva killed Joel and the rest of the people there. When Saya and Haji go back the mansion was burned. The descendant of Joel founded the Red Shield to pursue Diva. Saya suddenly enters 30 year period of hibernation as well as Diva. When Saya and Diva awaken, Diva got many Chevalier in different country while Saya and Haji pursue Chiropterans in Russia. Having awakened some unknown time beforehand, Saya hunts several Chiroptera at Yokota Air Force (the events of Blood: The Last Vampire). Several months later, the Vietnam War begins. Saya enters third sleep soon afterwards.

Chiroptera sightings in Vietnam confirmed. The Red Shield injects Haji's blood into a hibernating Saya to cause an artificially induced awakening, resulting in her going berserk, killing Chiroptera and humans alike. Saya cuts off arms of both Haji and Carl (Diva's Chevalier). The dying original David entrusts Saya (in her fourth sleep) to George Miyagusuku. Haji, displeased by the incident, distances himself from Red Shield. Red Shield is unable to establish his whereabouts, but there are sightings of him in Hong Kong.

George adopts Kai and Riku whose parents died in traffic accident. Saya awakens in her fourth sleep in Okinawa. She was adopted by George, under the adoptive family she was given a named Saya Otonashi and has been living the life as an ordinary schoolgirl. She lost all her memories and totally forgets the past. She was under the surveillance of (the 2nd) David with the agreement that once she remember her past she will go with the Red Shield. It is an organization formed to combat the Chiroptera. The Red Shield was founded by the descendants of Joel Goldschmidt, Joel (6^th). Most Red Shield members are culled from survivors of Chiroptera attacks, and all possess a trinket with an embedded Chiropteran crystal. The Red Shield's greatest enemy is Diva, and her Chevaliers. Red Shield is responsible for Saya's protection and well-being, using her as a weapon against the Chiroptera. Saya’s happy life is shattered when she is attacked by a chiroteran, and learns that she is the only one who can defeat them. George Miyagusuku becomes a Chiropteran and Saya was forced to kill him. Armed with her sword, Saya embarks on a journey with her family, allies and faithful servant, Haji, to rid the world of Chiropterans and rediscover her identity and Diva awakens soon after.

Diva and Carl launched an attack on the Red Shield Headquarters and Diva killed Riku amidst the assault but not before forcing him to impregnate her. Carl's projectile spikes impale Joel in the spine and he was confined to a wheelchair thereafter. The Red Shield's command ship was forced to self-destruct in an attempt to take down Diva. Carl disobeys Diva because he can't resist his desire to fight Saya, but ends up losing his life and Amshel ordered Solomon not to save him. Solomon betrays Diva because he falls in love with Saya. In New York City, Diva and Amshel are finally killed. Haji goes missing, they are unable to confirm if he died or not, Kai and Saya return to Okinawa along with everyone else. She then falls into her fifth deep sleep. Kai carries her into his family's grave, where George had once shown Saya her cocoon she had slept in. Kai visits his family's grave where Saya sleeps. He takes his adopted children (Diva's twin daughters) and they both see the rose Haji has left for Saya.

Blood+ AMV - Bring Me to Life

Ginban Kaleidoscope

Ginban Kaleidoscope is written by Rei Kaibara and illustrated by Hiro Suzuhira. The manga adaptation is also written by Rei Kaibara and illustrated by Jun Hasegawa. An anime adaptation of the first arc of the novels, aired weekly on TV Tokyo from October 8, 2005 to December 24, 2005. This animated series is about the 16 years old Japanese figure skater known for her sharp tongue, Ms. Tazusa Sakurano who considers herself to be worth $10 billion in beauty and Pete Pumps, the Canadian ghost.

The story begun in Montreal Canada during the ice skating qualifying round, Tazusa was fall in the middle of a Triple Lutz and loses consciousness. And at the same time Pete Pumps, a 16 years old Canadian stunt pilot, dies in a middle of his performance when his plane crashes due to mechanical failure. Then Pete as a ghost he was given a 100 days by GOD to stay on earth before he can go to heaven and inadvertently ends up possessing Tazusa.

When Tazusa back in her consciousness, she heard a strange voice and she taught she was crazy but then Pete explained things to her and eventually she realized that she was possessed by the boy spirit. She did anything in order to take away Pete from her body but as it was destiny she do nothing but to accept the boy spirit. The things that bothered her was doing things that she usually do, like taking a bath and changing clothes because Pete see what she see and feel what she feel. While eating with Yūji Takashima, Tazusa's Canadian coach and Yōko Sakurano, her younger sister, she discover the secret keyword to control Pete's behavior even it was so nice to her. The keyword is tomato because Pete hates it. That time Tazusa picked up a habit of eating tomato in order to control Pete.

The battle of Tazusa, where about to happen this is about the Japanese Olympic representative for Women's Figure Skating and to Kyōko Shitō, the preferred choice for the event. Tazusa was being pressure by the media and forced her to say anything against Ms. Shito for a big expose. Thank for Kazuya Nitta, the freelance reporter who secretly admire Ms. Shito, because of his intelligent and tactics he save Tazusa in her struggle with the mass media. Another pressure for her was Yukie Mishiro, the official from Japan Skating Federation who claims that Tazusa has a “stone face”. Ms. Mishiro always made conflict with her because of her stubborn attitude but she does believe that Tazusa has special potential. Like Ms. Mishiro taught our $10 billion in beauty was the one who was chosen by the council to represent Japan in the Olympic Figure Skating competition. This all happened in a help of Tazusa's angel Pete, he is the one who gave Tazusa the idea of “Waitress on Ice” performance and the moves was patterned in Pete's air stunt.


The Olympics day was coming and the exact date is February 23rd, that day is a 100 days of Pete in this world as a ghost. Tazusa became so lonely because she knew that the day where Pete needs to say goodbye her is very soon. The reason why she was so affected is that she was in love with Pete and she can't even say it to him. This guy makes her realize the importance of life and see things in life wonderful. So she planed to cancel the flight to Torino for the Olympics and decided to stay alone to enjoy Pete last day. But Pete disagrees with her and convinced her to go to Olympics. He told Tazusa that he will be very happy if they compete in the Olympics and give the crowd their best performance. So they flight to Torino for the Olympics and give their best performance “Waitress on Ice” and the crowd loves it. Tazusa win the second place for the first event and Ria Garnet Juitiev, the 14 year old Russian figure skate, win the first place. The day after it was February 23^rd, pre-program competition is about to happened, that they is the happiest performance that Tazusa and Pete did but she only won a 4^th place because of some change in technicalities. Tazusa don't care about the result and she go to the lake where Pete is about to say goodbye. She cries and said that she permitted Pete to possess her body forever because she doesn't want him to go. But Pete said that that was about to happened and he wish to see Tazusa's last smile before he go. Then he disappear and Tazusa left all alone but she continue her life with the taught that she learned with Pete.

This story is very inspiring and interesting even though it has a sad ending. Knowing that the lovers Tazusa and Pete get separated at the end is very sad. That's why I make my own ending and I called it “Happy Ending”. I encourage all the visitors to make their own ending in the comments so that they can share their own opinion about it.


HAPPY ENDING:


After a few years ago, Tazusa was walking in the street, she meet a mysterious guy. And that guy was Pete, he was given a chance by GOD for a second life because Tazusa wishes it. He was not actually dead, his body was only under comatose stage and because of Tazusa's love he fights the sudden part of death and lives. So when they meet again, they share life together and became husband and wife.

Louisiana Blues

Nancy's B.Day present.

Classic Catwoman and Gotham Knights

Again, another two cell set ups I made for WB, and never got a copy as promised. I believe Dave Mc. Bride was responsible for the color. The best part is I saw em' at the Comicon in San Diego for $ 1000 USD each sign my my old boss Bruce Timm. I guess I'll never get the recognition for it. Nice!

Earth's Mightest Heroes

From back in the day, one of my many cell set ups. I only did the pencils and inks, somebody else colored. Warner Brothers promised me a free copy since I made it, but I never got one, and of course it was sold out in no time and currently out of print and very expensive. I based this one on a Bruce Timm quick sketch.

Batman Beyond DVD Cover

Here is one of the many Batman Beyond DVD covers I made for WB

The Vampire Erzsebet

Here is the original version of Erzsebet for Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms.
I don't know why they replace this design on the last minute. I think this one was a much better choice.