Comic Site Rant: Koiji Romanesque
Before I say anything about the comic, I’d like to call the latest issue of OTAKU USA to your attention. Don’t be fooled by the family friendly Dee Bee Zee cover, since this is most dangerous issue yet. Yes, most dangerous. Daryl Surat may find issue with me labeling it as such, but hear me out, ok? See, normal issues of Otaku USA are simply dangerous since they are overseen by the most dangerous man alive, Patrick Macias. What makes this issue the most dangerous are the various forces that have come together to bring it into existence. It starts off with Clarissa giving a Shuffle! review, which is pretty fucking dangerous in itself– but that’s not enough to make it the most dangerous. What makes this the most dangerous is the fact that this guy and I are in the same in the book at the same time, while forces like Daryl Surat rule over the rest of the pages with an Iron Fist. Yes, you can feel the flames as you touch this burning, blazing publication of HOT BLOOD and MOE PASSION. So go out and BUY IT already. Shit, I haven’t even read it, but I can assure you that your mind will be blown into the outer reaches of space. But that’s not all! The Internet tells me that issue 7 will be even more dangerous than this one. I won’t give any details, but chances are I’ll be in that one, too. I should be writing under my real name, though.
Anyway, enough about Otakus and USAs, on to the comic. I think I’ve reached a new level of Comic Writing in this one, since I actually allude to shows without mentioning them by name. Sure, this writing is still clunky compared to the streamlined Penny Arcade, but we can’t all be legends. For those who don’t know, this comic makes reference to Zettai Karen Children and Kure-nai, shows which are both very good in their own ways, so if you haven’t watched them yet– do it now! I really like the art here. Sure, Tina’s stare in panel 2 is frightening, but the rest turned out pretty well. The backgrounds are even good! So yes, really happy with this one.
One thing I’d kind of like to make clear with this one strip and all others is that this webcomic is not the self-insert comic that 4chan and others would like to think it is. I mean, I’m as much Rets as Tatsuhiko Takimoto is Satou. I don’t write this pretending that I’m in there, I just push my experiences and views onto my character, since it’s easy to write what you know. Hence why Rets’ apartment is similar to mine and the fact that some comics take place in real locations around Boston. I mean c’mon, I’m not shameless enough to make a character that’s supposed to be me hang out with a girl who dresses the way Tina does. If this was realistic, it’d be two guys talking to each other, like every other webcomic about geeky things. But, you know, I like drawing girls! They’re a lot more fun to draw than boring guys. Also, if this was true wish fulfillment, the female character would look more similar to Nagi-tan… or Kaede-chan, but she isn’t really an otaku.
In further comic-related news, Patrick Macias and I recently had a discussion, and this discussion was published in the Japanese magazine Ascii Weekly. As a result, I’ve gotten the attention of the Japanese otaku, and it seems at least one of them is impressed by my knowledge, which makes me quite happy. See, I got an email from a senior otaku who really liked the comic and thought I had the Japanese fan scene down pretty good. Also, another guy from the mag can be found commenting here. I don’t have scans yet, but Macias promised some, so I’ll post them if/when he gets them to me.
The spring season is pretty great. I’ve finally waded through all the crap and found a good 10 or so shows I’m happy with. Full impressions can be found here. I’m mostly happy with my picks, though chances are I’ll drop Allison and Lillia. It’s way too corny for me to stomach.
Anyway, I’ve gone on for long enough, so I’ll cut it off here. Finals are finally over, so now I’m going to kick back and relax in a big way until I go back home and start on my summer job. See you all next week!
I think I’ve asked this before and pardon me for sounding like a broken record, but did you ever wanna do a collab for MOY comic? LIke have me guest artist for a panel or something of the sort? XD If not that’s okay I just can’t remember whether or not you said yes or no last time.
You did mention that, and I believe I forgot to follow up. I could do something like, write a script and you illustrate it or something. I’ve never really done anything collaborative before, to be honest so I’m kind of new to it.
Ok I actually put my real email in the box for once so if you have any ideas send me a blurb. Maybe you could even draw the comic and have me like draw the girl for one of the panels with some sort of a joke (i.e. “…did you get your hair done?” “otome gokoro zenzen wakannai!” or something haha i dunno)
For DigiCharat’s and DS’s comics I basically drew 1 “panel” of their comics but theirs are pretty linear since theyre typically “koma” style.
Who wouldn’t want to be a dispute mediator, if you get to take care of Murasaki? :3
Yeah, he’d be taking care of her. I shudder to think of the frothing man-lust he’s going to have when she gets doujin’ed by a good circle. Yeah well, being the handler for Zettai Karen Children wouldn’t be so easy, they’d pulp him. Check to see if you can be a handler for a impressionable, obedient child-assassin in some clandestine Italian government agency, that’d be a good summer job.
“Check to see if you can be a handler for a impressionable, obedient child-assassin in some clandestine Italian government agency, that’d be a good summer job.”
Sorry, no openings at the moment.
Don’t worry. anon isnt concerned with you at the moment. though, based upon your work so far it could be easy to see this connection. Keep your work to the popint, dont draw it on and keep looking for ways to improve your art style a little (not saying its bad, just, from one artist to the other, improvement is always neccesary).
Anywho, yes, I be a 4channer, no I’m not here to troll.
The only reason why I am posting is because I am something of a shuffle!/kaede fan myself. so natural intrest brought me to the site.
very intresting notes, though I havent picked up this months issue of otaku USA yet. I may just do so.
Also, in regards to a few pictures from earlier regarding kaede and your laptop/food.
I immediatly thought of. SO RONERY.
>.>
granted I am just as guilty. Ahh the joys and pains of weeabooism.
Maybe if that 7 year old was a hyperactive boy hell bent on destruction someone would consider hiring Rets.
Maybe.
Actually, not to bust your bubble but Tatsuhiko Takimoto is pretty much like Satou. Haha of course not as much but apparently he is pretty much a hikikomori now and has alot of trouble writing a new novel.
I don’t think he has a Misaki in his life though…
Yeah, but what I was trying to say is I’m not pretending I’m in there, so much as I just force my personality + experiences onto my character. Though, truthfully, when it comes to Rets, I also push the dial up to 12, so he comes out very different in the end.