>>15
most awesum random pic evar.

>>18

Although, I know this totally and completely unrelated and you're probably never going to read this, I have something to say about that.

I'm currently writing a visual novel (currently, most of the art swamps my homepage http://buttercupsaiyan.deviantart.com/) that is both writing and drawings ... and I have one avid fan that confuses me deeply.

The series is mostly kid-safe, save for adult themes of war and violence and some very gently implied things.

Yet, privately, I feel quite differently and write stories and art for myself that I do not distribute, knowing that it would trouble others.

What I can understand is this: how can a fan become more attached to the character than me? I've had one or two people just tell me that I was "wrong" about Yukina or Matthew's personality in regards to their sexuality, if the topic ever comes up! [sorry, I was trying to avoid mentioning specific names of characters, but it slipped in]

So, my question to you is, knowing that the creator of such a series probably considered these things but opted to leave them out to reach a wider audience .... would you still consider it platonic if you had access to the full range of their concept material and private doodles/deleted story chapters?

I don't dare compare myself to Abe Yoshitoshi, but it's just some food for thought ... please don't think badly of me ...

>>21
I like it when stories take you out of your comfort zone, but they shouldn't push it so much that it becomes excessively disturbing. (Although I still like that sometimes)

In my opinion a relationship between Rakka and Reki if done right could have been very tasteful, but push it too much it would ruin the series.

ps, I was thinking the other day how awesome a Haibane Renmei Visual Novel would be ^.^
pity I can't draw :(

>>21

Oh, hey BCS I remember you and your work from the shoujoai.com forums back when I used to post there (under '3_Libras' most of the time if you remember me).

Anyways, to answer your question, I honestly don't think Yoshitoshi really ever had the idea slip into his head (much less consider) that their relationship (or the relationship between Reki and Kuramori, which it reflects) would be anything more than sisterly. Of course this is pure speculation about what he actually thought. Still, Haibane Renmei is influenced by Buddhism and Catholicism - The former frowns upon unproductive sex within practicing followers, while the latter frowns upon sexuality altogether - and like I said it's not quite our world and life they are experiencing. In fact, I would generally frown upon the conforming that characters do as Haibane in almost any other scenario.

Sorry, I suppose that dodges the question. While my opinion still stands, I guess I'll admit that I would try and mentally block ideas that don't coincide with the way I like to think about Haibane when thinking about the series as a whole (even if I would find the idea interesting to explore). I've heard theories about how many of the Haibane might have just come from the town of Guri, rather than another world, and after I thought about it and decided it wasnt the way things were (because of a line in the first episode) I tried not to think about it for similar reasons.

I suppose I get to be as a rabid a fan as others...but fans with deep interest in their fandom have a lot of emotional investment in the artist's work as well. This sounds really weird, but it's a good example: I fell in love with Rakka in an almost fatherly sort of way (which isn't to say I would have a problem in the future if I had a daughter who was a lesbian). And while I NEVER think an artist should try and cater to their fanbase, I fully support the fans to diverge their own entity from the artist's creation (which is why while I have my own idea of that universe (and hope that it's also Yoshitoshi's intended message) I wouldn't actually bitch to anyone about Haibane slash unless it was just done in a horrid way). Holy crap, I wrote alot...oh well, you should see me with the Zelda series. But I don't think badly of you; I enjoy being challenged to think.

>>15

here's a few in a similar style

all reposts, mind you

This might not be a repost, but oddly enough I found it when I ventured onto a shoujo-ai haibane yahoo group :p too cute not to save

You don't have to assert the existence of sexual (or even just romantic) overtones in a series to enjoy something like yuri or shoujo-ai.

To make an analogy: there's lots of fanart suggesting a romantic and sexual relationship between Ed and Winry from Full Metal Alchemist, but if I recall correctly, there isn't so much as a kiss between the two in the actual series (much to my disappointment).

The point I'm trying to make is that there's a difference between believing that characters X and Y have a genuine relationship based on the contents of the series itself and enjoying doujinshi or fanart that assigns characters X and Y the same sort of relationship without regard to the way things "actually are." It amounts to either believing that a relationship is canon, or acknowledging that it isn't. Although clearly, it's not a terribly easy distinction to make in many cases.

>>11
Given the emotional territory these two characters have gone through, I could see this. Reki giving Rakka a quick kiss goodbye on her way out (to take flight) would seem reasonable.

nurie?

ぬりえ = 塗り絵 = A drawing for coloring

I like how the eye shape is pretty much right.

okay... let me understand this..
Is this the exact same book as "An Omnipresence in Wired" or is it completely different?

and if so.. which one is better?
The U.S. version or the Import Japanese version?

Thanks

>>14
The new book is not identical to the original. As I understand it, the new release includes MANY of the pictures that appeared in the original, although a few have been left out. I also believe that the new release contains some artwork that wasn't included in the original.

Apparently the new English release also has a "How To" section by ABe, something you won't find in the original (or the Japanese version of the new release). Since I own the Japanese version of the new release, I still don't really know what this "How To" part is about, so if someone could do me the favor of explaining it, that'd be awesome.

>>16
It's two pages explaining how he creates a magazine spread.

I can scan it if you like, but your not missing much

>>17
Sure, if you have the time. :)

there was a double page spread of the picture labeled (C) on this page in between the two pages

Huh. I guess I'm really not missing out on anything special, after all.

>>13
same... what the heck? that's too much.

I got this for $25, not a bad price though $16 would rock.
I would of gotten Robot though if it haven't been hidden in the store somewhere.
A good buy none the less.

I recognize this from somewhere. Nice little sketch and caption.

I've seen this somewhere before -- I can't remember exacly where -- but I'd be shocked, angry, and confused if it weren't ABe's work.

oh wow... bump for the largest size of this anyone can come up with, please and thank you

Yup, it's ABe-san alright: from "10 Years Travelling" Portfolio A, part of his 2001 Gallery of Fantastic Art (GoFA) exhibition.

Enjoy!

I hope the use ABe's version of the art for anime adaption of Welcome to the NHK. Nothing against the manga-ka's take, I'd just like to see spome animated ABe art on the air again.

I wonder if this could be the "Secret project" he is working on.

When did he say he had one? That might just have been the Lain artbook reprint.

In case it wasn't already obvious that the fellow who draws Welcome to the NHK is an ABe fan... well, see attached.

Requesting information regarding the relationship between ABe and "Welcome to the NHK" in all its various forms! And images, if you have them. Wasn't there more on the board here than just this?

>>17
THAT'S the one I remembered. Thanks!

>>16

ABe did the cover for both the original Welcome to the NHK novel, and also for Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge, by the same author.

>>20
Jesus Christ, I forgot about that one. I mean, wow...what a title.

Aaaand she's lost it again.

It's LAIN-GRAVE-CHAN!

When you have your costume finished show us pictures!

>>5 seconded.

Anime North '06 is tommorow. Pictures shall be forthcoming, and I'm rather proud of my costume... I even got my hair cut to match (although its not QUITE as short as Lains...)

Nice! Looking forward to seeing what you've done. :)

I must admit, I was horribly surprised when I went to the con and found someone else in my outfit ~ Here she is.

:D And here I am... With a cameo a few people should recognize ;o

Nice! I think you did a better job on your outfit.

love the hat

did you make the hat? if not, where'd you get it?

:D I had the hat made by a friend, and plan to wear it in the winter. Its the best part of the costume. I got that PLUS the shirt made for $25 Canadian + materials. At Anime North, they were selling a hat that wasn't as good a make, and that was $45. x.x;