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I broke my promise to myself and made this before finishing homework.

But I'm so glad I caved.
I'm in love with this drawing. I can't recall the last time I was this happy with my work.

Rakushun and Youko are two main characters from The Twelve Kingdoms (or, Juuni Kokki), a barely known anime that I loved. Ever since the revelation that Rakushun could become fully human at will, I have wanted the two together. There is little of anything devoted to the series, fanwise and otherwise, and the stuff that can be found is often omitting Rakushun. He doesn't seem to be very popular, nevermind the possibility of he and Youko. Thus I thought to rectify that.

I already had something in mind but changed it when I stumbled across a sweet photo that inspired me greatly. This was the result. In my imagination this would be many many years after the series ends, when Kei is finally in order and Youko can take time and just relax in the company of her favourite person. Somehow this seems more... warming or affectionate than my inital plan. The title "Forever Summers" implies what I hope would happen-- Youko gives Rakushun immortality.

Ever since and I did that style trade, I had been itching to do some cel-shaded type work. After using a gradient method for a while this was a refreshing change that I think came out very well. I think it helps make this piece appealing even without knowing the characters.

This took me overall about 10 or 11 hours-- most of that time was allotted to careful inking in photoshop so the lines would be solid. It was a lot of meticulous work but I'd do it all again a heartbeat.

Sketched with HB pencil, inked and colored in PS 7.
10 hours