Manga/Anime Spotlight is a weekly feature that highlights the different artists across the deviantART's Manga/Anime community, and is a portal to get to know a bit more about them and their works. 

This week's feature is The-Longfall-of-1979

I'm very traditionally based when it comes to drawing, I don't care much for the look digital drawing gives a piece, because it seems to lose its unique hand-to-paper touch that an artist gives to it. So I always draw and shade the sketch fully with a normal pencil, and I use Photoshop for all color jobs. I like to mix styles and make a blend of traditional and digital techniques, so I try to imitate and fuse different styles together, such as Japanese ink, Watercolor, and others I'm fond of.

I always 'know' what I want concerning the final product, but I never stick 100% to a pre-planned layout. There's times where inspiration and a voice inside gives you an even better idea, and I just may have to change the whole piece altogether at times.

depending on the style of a piece, it varies. But for a fully shaded sketch would take about 2 hours, and the color job another 2-3 or so, but as I've said, it varies.

Even before I knew there was a difference between art styles I was attracted to it.. even from my earliest years of my childhood, I couldn't keep my eyes off of the illustrations of shows like Dragon Ball and Pokémon..once I realized there was a difference, I knew that I enjoyed it because while cartoons are lively and vibrant, there's something in anime-esque styles that draw me in.. the way their eyes project their emotions, and the detail put into designing each character, unfortunately, that spirit and creativity seems to be going down at a fast rate nowadays, and I hope to show others that it's not the right direction to take.

 I project what I see as powerful, impacting, beautiful, and inspiring to me, and well, seem to inspire myself at times, ideas never stop swirling around my head..but it's Jesus Christ. He's what triggered my love for drawing, I'm doing all this for him, and while I enjoy it to no end, and have a tremendous passion for it, there's no doubt that when the chips are down, he's the one I do it all for, and he's the one who keeps me improving at every turn..

Most certainly. Toru Okobu, who worked with Production I.G in doing the character designs for the anime adaption of 'Sengoku BASARA' and the Key animation for 'Ghost in the shell: Stand alone complex', both being two of my favorite franchises for anime. 

Eiichiro Oda, the man behind Shonen JUMP's 'One piece' who's astounding and gripping story telling get me going everytime. 

Makoto Tsuchibayashi, the Original outfit and character designer for the Sengoku Basara and devil may cry characters..I find his style for clothing and character elements to be one in a million.  

Jack Kirby and the countless other Marvel comic artists that take so much time and effort in doing their flawless comic book illustrations, I salute them all with admiration.

 Morikawa Jouji, who made the franchise "Hajime no Ippo"..I enjoy his classic, yet fresh character style, even if you've never seen them before, you feel like you know them well. 

the entire Zelda art team for Twilight princess, that could easily be my favorite art style, and I appreciate and admire the time, effort, and excellence they put into each and every illustration and design.

and finally Lane smith, for his work in Books from my early childhood like the "time warp trio" series, as well as his work in 'James and the Giant Peach"..his style for illustrations are so charming, unique and vibrant, but also somewhat dark, whimsical and nostalgic.

All of these people have their differences in style, technique, and preferences I'm sure; but I know that each of the ones I've listed put an unmistakable excellence and passion into their work, which makes me attracted to them. and I hope they never tire nor drop their bar of standards.

ah, You make it real tough for me.  love almost all of my pieces, but I'll choose a special five..though there are more. 

:thumb260546889: teamrakenzan.deviantart.com/ar… A Z U R E: it may not be my best piece, and I've done others in this style that look better, but what I was thinking while drawing this, and the way I felt when each stroke came together and formed the piece was like nothing else, it may lack compared to the others, but it was the most satisfying to me.

:thumb266224271: teamrakenzan.deviantart.com/ar…: Sengoku BASARA 3: W I L L - this was probably my first "big" piece. I asked others for help on it, they gave me just that, and I found the satisfaction one gets when they finish a big project with this one.. there's a lot of symbolism found in this piece, ones who've played/know the game/anime should catch these, I enjoy inserting little bits of charm into each piece, both in my own form, and also towards the characters connecting to their fans. 

Also, I'm lovin' how the texture work came out.

:thumb265108430: teamrakenzan.deviantart.com/ar… - Kamikaze Spirit- this one's real special to me, it's my first original art that I've shown DA, and it did well to my gladness. I was greatly impacted by the song found in the description, and I've been making artworks that go both with that song, but also with My Original characters that I've not fully shown yet; I wrote writing pieces to go with each piece that was "kamikaze inspired" which isn't found in any of my other fan arts. There's a difference an artist feels when they make fan art, and original art. If you've done either, you'll know what I'm talking about.

 :thumb257376984: teamrakenzan.deviantart.com/ar… -  Even if I have no chance - Again, this one is special to me; I've drawn many fight scenes before, some even being better than this. but I never choose something purely out of how well it came out, though most of these chosen ARE some of my better works..but out of the feelings, the way it all came together, and the atmosphere I've created for this work. This piece, as I drew it; could hear the blades clashing, and as I drew each of their faces, I captured their struggle, their conflict; I remembered just how close this fight will be, and how both of them have Goals they want to fulfill, but know that perhaps only one will be able to come out on top.. unless a plot twist happens. XD

I tend to make my fight pieces grungy and texture-filled, because no battle is fought in a paved and clean area, there's rough edges, rocks to trip over on, dark skies, and battle cries. That's why I don't care to get rid of My pencil sketch lines, I think it gives it a sense of Movement, life, and intensity. 

:thumb259955690:  teamrakenzan.deviantart.com/ar… - OKAMI: Enter the Fray - This one was actually a surprise to me.. I was playing Marvel vs Capcom 3, and saw the three weapons Amateratsu uses, and thought to myself: It'd make a cool picture..her with all three weapons out. So I drew it out lightly, and didn't even shade it, Did this all before bed. Next day, Scanned it, colored it as I usually do; and before I knew it, it destroyed all my other works, fave-wise!

 I was surprised, and wanted to keep up with thanking everyone personally, but I just didn't have that time to. It showed me that a great Idea, that's never been projected, can impact hundreds..even if you don't think they'll see it, they do. I saw the rate it was going at, and while it may seem like a bad day fave-wise for other deviants, to me; it was astounding. and many people applauded me for it, I'm guessing a piece like this has never been done before.

haha, I've been hoping one of these gets a Daily Deviation, I think it's a good bar to reach as an artist, and if these don't make the cut, I'll see to making things that DO.

To others that wish to do the same: Wanna get noticed? Put it in groups. that's like having hundreds of watchers you've never had..and maybe will gain because of it. It's a way to advertise yourself, gain watchers, and more recognition; and with those watchers and recognition, you'll find it easier to get tips on how to get better.

= laughs= I AM a young aspiring artist, I'm still a minor! But that doesn't mean I don't have some advice.

For adding to your skill, I say: Keep your standards high. look to high-quality art, done by excellent artists who take pride in their work; and learn from them, and then add your own flair to it..don't feel the need for it to be exactly as their work is like; combine, fuse, add, change, make your own style! It's said one becomes like the ones they look to, and if you have plans to be the best you can be, then look to those who still aim high and do their best in everything they do.

So never settle for what's there, even if you think it's enough, remember that you can go, reach, climb, and soar So much higher! I reach for radiance, I reach for Heaven, I reach for all above me every day, and that's one thing that makes me to never want to settle at my current skill level.

Don't keep your heart in the water, don't keep them under wraps. Show your true self, your art style, those images that swirl around your mind; and let those who do or do not respect you see who you are. 

Show yourself!

Aim for the heavens, and Stir up the generations.

 I know I've got something big to do in this life, a calling, a purpose; and that's what you need to find. I don't see it crystal clear right now, nor do I really know how or when I'll get there, but I know I'm just going to work hard until that time for me comes.

Passion is a hard thing to obtain if you don't originally have it, passion is a good thing, but it's also hard to control at times, I know this well.  There's a voice that tells you that you can't do it, that your style isn't 'right'..sometimes through your loved ones, though they do not mean it at times. sometimes though when you see works that are of higher skill then yours and then get discouraged, and also at times if a group or club declines your artwork because it does not meet their standards.

So ignore that voice that tells you "You can't", but also embrace it and take the advice of your elders and mentors give to become better, to strive to pursue that high standard. Don't succumb to becoming like the others, who stay within the "acceptance" area when it comes to style. Let it fly, and let it become a kamikaze comet to those around you. You'll inspire, you'll empower, and you'll become better, stronger, wiser. Both at heart and in Soul.

Yeah, you could have all the passion in the world, but if you're too scared to let it out, then no matter how much talent or skill you have, you'll only end up in the pile of Normal and nice looking stuff..nothing will stand out from you. if you don't defeat that voice every day, you'll curl up and shrink away. 

Yes, passion and inspiration give you that drive..and give you countless amounts of Ideas, but you need to KNOW how to project those ideas! How to find that satisfaction with yourself, not being based on what others say.  So don't be afraid to fall a few times, it gets you stronger.

But don't forget to rise up again.  You may fall short skill-wise right now, but you'll end up being powerful where it COUNTS. 

I apologize if it's too long, but you said if I had advice..and I do. ;D

anything that strikes me as impacting, inspiring, admirable, or just plain cool. I'm not set on liking one kind of art style, because art is All of these! from Japanese ink, to Typography, to extravagant paintings bursting with color, to a comic strip who's characters are bursting from the panels, I enjoy all good things.

I think I've said quite a bit above..but I just would like to say one more thing. Or more like repeat it: Find that Light, find that one that gives you purpose and a plan. Once you find that, you'll find yourself taking so much satisfaction in your art, but still wishing to aim higher and higher still. It may sound like I'm nuts or I've got a cherry-colored life from the way I speak, but it's definitely not so..but I don't use art as a projection of my down emotions and how I feel, he heh, if I did; my gallery may not be as varied as it is.. It'd probably be filled with Gritty and sad things, who knows? 

I draw out what I wish to see myself as, how things might be in the future, and what comes from my soul, it sounds as corny as a Cob, but it's true. I wish to find myself stronger, bolder, wiser, taking down my fears, and never succumbing to the norm or what's 'right' in today's time: I reach for heaven, and the one who dwells there, and nothing more. 

Why? because If I reach for him, I've already got it all.

If you know anything about business, then you'll know that's a good deal. Thanks to all who's supported me in this time, and the ones who will in the future, You've helped me alot in the short time I've been here, and it's my Team Members that make my stay here at DA worth every minute.

God bless, Team Rakenzan.

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Until next week when we feature: KikaiSaigono