Character Design Contest ♯94- Going Japanese

This week is going to be interesting. What I want you guys to do is make a character or image based on Japanese culture or mythology. I'll let you decide on what exactly that means just to make it a bit more fun, for you guys and for me, because I want you to be as creative as possible. I know some people will really like this weeks challenge, some maybe not so much.

As per usual, there are no limits on entries and the contest will close midnight next Saturday. The winner gets to claim a custom made item from dblade to be put into heromachine, so long as the item conforms to his prize rules, which you can find here: http://www.heromachine.com/forum/the-heromachine-art-gallery/dblades-whiz-bang-item-dispenser/. Please read the contest rules before entering, have fun and good luck.

Rules for posts, contests, and challenges that I am hosting: Original characters only, no copyrighted characters, no characters based on copyrighted characters, no characters based on RPG’s or other games. The characters must be your own design and not based on any character that might be copyrighted in any way. I have the right to delete any post that I believe crosses this line without warnings. Only post characters that you have either created for this contest specifically or you know for certain have never been entered to a contest before. If you aren’t certain, don’t enter it, because I’m not going to go back through all of the contests and check.

About JR19759

Email: jr19759@hotmail.co.uk Twitter: @jr19759 Deviantart: JR19759 Deviantart HM Group: Heromachine-Art

38 Responses to Character Design Contest ♯94- Going Japanese

  1. Worf says:

    Raising the bar high, right off the bat huh, Mad Jack? Interesting…

  2. JR19759 says:

    @Worf- That’s good, because I want that bar high, it gives people a target.

  3. WillyPete says:

    Cool so far… But Japan’s got a LOT more than just Samurais, doesn’t it?

  4. Anarchangel says:

    I wasn’t going to bother entering this as I saw Vectorman’s entry and thought there was no way I could beat that but what the hell…here’s Kitsune.

    http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Anarchangel-Kitsune.png

  5. Jean-Seb says:

    Here is my submission for this contest : Yuki Onna

    Yuki-onna appears on snowy nights as a tall, beautiful woman with long black hair and blue lips. Her inhumanly pale or even transparent skin makes her blend into the snowy landscape. She sometimes wears a white kimono, but other legends describe her as nude, with only her face and hair standing out against the snow. Despite her inhuman beauty, her eyes can strike terror into mortals. She floats across the snow, leaving no footprints , and she can transform into a cloud of mist or snow if threatened.

    http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/12/20/79/74/yuki_o10.jpg

  6. Lef says:

    http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2014/287/4/8/ryjin_by_flash99gr-d82t2st.png
    My entry Ryjin (dragon god) but after madjack and vectorman posted those outstanding creations its highly unlikely for me to win.

  7. cliff says:

    Here are some Japanese characters in our rock opera RPG “The Haunted.”
    (The Haunted was the original band, since then the game has growb into Moon Aerie Entertainment, a music empire)

    Ami Akita
    raised in a family of Akita show dog breeders/ Member of the Amazing Graces with best friend Hecate Barnes, lead guitar of Dee Dee Dada & The Tra La Las.
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_AmiAkita001a_zpsfd1f7878.jpg

    Dennis Akita
    Ami’s brother, Photographer and part time model
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_DennisAkita001a_zps3d9eb130.jpg

    Portrarit
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_DennisAkita001b_zps7889021c.jpg

    Chase Suzuki
    Director, Film maker, stud, lover of Jessie Tanaka
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_ChaseSuzuki001a_zps8d207b53.jpg

    Portrait
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_ChaseSuzuki001b_zps259642b7.jpg

    Jessie Tanaka
    Model, hottie, lover of Chase Suzuki
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_JesseTanaka001a_zps615d6db2.jpg

    Portrait
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_JEsseTanaka001b_zps87ac0317.jpg

    Ken Nagasaki
    MoonAerie Asst. Record Producer, cranky butt

    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_KenNagasaki001a_zps031c310c.jpg

    Portrait
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haunted_KenNagasaki001b_zpsdfdb4b8a.jpg

  8. cliff says:

    Kamakaze

    Real Name: Hiro Nagasaki

    Powers: Flight, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Endurance, Enhanced Vision

    the grandson of a WWII pilot
    One day when his powers appeared, he shot off like a rocket and smashed into an abandoned building, demolishing it, he had some bruises, scrapes and cuts but nothing extensive..

    He learned his powers and is a bit egotistical and proud,

    In an old truck was his grandfathers military papers, newspaper clippings, diary of his grandfather’s heroism as well as his friends, his old headband, aviator jacket, goggles, belt, pants and boots which Hiro took and gave himself the name Kamakaze to honor his grandfather.

    With his flying, super strength and toughness, and being a bit ruthless … the Divine Wind fits

    A hero to some, a villian to others.

    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Cliff_GoingJapanese_Kamakaze001a_zps2fcbf7bf.jpg

    Portrait:
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Cliff_GoingJapanese_Kamakaze001b_zps62e0fea7.jpg

    Martial Artist
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Cliff_GoingJapanese_MartialArtist001_zps79471467.jpg


    Now for something different: my portrait of

    Matsuo Basho
    Basho is the grandfather of haiku.
    He wrote one of the most famous haiku and had many students and imitators of his style.

    old pond
    frog leaps in
    water’s sound

    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Cliff_GoingJapanese_MatsuoBasho001_zps5c248e06.jpg

    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Cliff_GoingJapanese_Ry16B0jin000_zps6626792f.jpg

    This is the legend of a son mourning the death of his fisherman father who was swept overboard in a storm and drowned.
    To avenge his father the son went to challenge the dragon god Ryujin the ruler of seas and oceans at Ryugu-jo the undersea “dragon palace castle”, where he kept the magical tide jewels.

    The son was never heard from again.

  9. cliff says:

    Considering I posted a portrait of Master Basho, I thought i would post some haiga (illustrated haiku of mine)
    (PS Haiku are not just three line of 5/7/5 syllables unless you are writting in Japanese, in English its OK to go with 17 syllables or less. Trust me I’m the founder of the Fort Worth Haiku Society.)

    2014 Year Of The Horse
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haiku_0014YearOfTheHorse2_zpsb38954c6.jpg

    Iris
    this actually was on the back cover of We Are All Japan, a Haiku anthology written for the people of Japan in 2012.
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haiku_IrisHaiga_zps75aebd5e.jpg

    Bamboo Fountain
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haiga_BambooFountain_zpsc72a0bd8.jpg

    In The Silence
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haikg_InTheSilvence_zps128b6dc1.jpg

    Bird Bath
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haiku_BirdBathHaga_zpsc4ec3e2f.jpg

    Midwinter Moon
    http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy240/Cliff_HM3/Haiku_MidwinterMoon_zpsf94a294f.jpg

  10. Skybandit says:

    C’mon, guys, THIS is what Americans think of when you say Japan!
    (Well, besides obscene cartoons involving tentacles…)

    http://images16.fotki.com/v368/photos/9/3278209/13009693/SkybanditJapan1-vi.png

  11. WillyPete says:

    I we’re going by art, alone, Mad Jack’s got a dead lock on this one {IMHO}…
    but Jean Seb’s picture is a non-Samurai, with a nice little story, which I think helps…
    {I know, I’m alone in this!} 😉

  12. Jean-Seb says:

    WillyPete:
    I we’re going by art, alone, Mad Jack’s got a dead lock on this one {IMHO}…
    but Jean Seb’s picture is a non-Samurai, with a nice little story, which I think helps…
    {I know, I’m alone in this!}

    Thanks a lot, but it’s not a “story”, it’s part of the legend of this japanese ghost.

  13. Jack Zelger says:

    What is more Japanese (at least according to the cartoons I’ve watched) than a boy and his robot?

    http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj562/ethanshuster/JackZelger-ABoyAndHisRobot.png

  14. Achillies228 says:

    Since everyone is complaining about samurais I decided to make an Oni, the most cliché Japanese creature cause why not

    http://achillies228.deviantart.com/art/Hm3-beta-1-488687891?ga_submit_new=10%253A1413408601

  15. cliff says:

    @MadJack.
    Kewl, I would have NEVER EVER thought of a cowboy samarai. Good work. He does look like a bad a$$.

    @Vectorman316
    WOW! Wonderful silhouette scene, Great action shot and use of black, white and grays. I hope you don’t mind I did a sihouette as well. Yours is far more intricat though.

    @Achillies228
    JEEZ! If he’s not on the Top 5 poll for the win I will he shocked. VERY creative.

    @Anarchangel
    Thanks for posting Kitsune.
    I know what you mean about almost not posting, but then sometimes it’s not about winning , but just the sharing and community involvement. Besides Kitsune is very cute.

    @Jean-Seb
    Love the use of a transparent dress for mixing the legends of her being nude or in a kimono as one and the same.

    @Lef
    I did the Dragon God as well, is that what my dragon looks like in his human form?
    I sure wouldn’t want to mess with him. ;D
    Good work.

    @Skybandit
    Heh heh This is just Brilliant! Too Funny,. Well done.

    @MaDPac
    Very imaginative on Senshi Kobura. I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley … or a lit one … or at all LOL 😀

    @Kaldath
    Shrine Maiden Kimiko Sachimoro is just too cute.

    @Jack Zelger
    To asnwer your question what is more Japanese than a boy and his robot?
    A robot Boy. LOL
    But great energy blast coming from the robot, and I love the use as a gem as a computer top. Brilliant.

    @Achillies228
    You know I had almost posted my Oni, but I had already done him three times in three contest.
    Yours is really good too, more viscous creature like the legends, less superhero than mine.

  16. Demoninthenight says:

    This is one of my submissions. A samurai preforming Seppuku. His life and tradition are exiting his body. Hope you enjoy. I call it Life of a Samurai.

    http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/Demoninthenight/hm3-beta24_zpsb9626212.png

  17. cliff says:

    @Stulte
    Wow Infiltrator is just beautifully done. I’ love it. Will be very surprised if it’s not on the Top 5 poll.

    @Demoninthenight
    I am so impressed with Life Of A Samurai. I just knew it was going to be bloody and gorey, but you were very restrained on the actual act, and the past life flowing through his memories was very well done. Great job.

  18. okester says:

    “Attack of the Mutant Cyborg Geisha!”: An ode to the GIANTS of classic Japanese cinema.

    http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z418/okester/AttackOfTheMutantCyborgGeisha_zps88381515.jpg

  19. cliff says:

    @okestar
    LOL 😀 too funny. Love the well placed building explosions almost lifelike.

  20. Skoul says:

    Well its been a while HeroMachine, but we’re almost at contest #100 and no one wants to miss that, so I have reemerged with my samurai/ninja.

    http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b520/Skoul/NInjustice2_zpsc15e57a4.png
    http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b520/Skoul/ninjustice3_zps2db654c2.png

  21. JR19759 says:

    @Skoul- If I were you, I’d be more excited about CDC97, same for all the rest of you. I won’t say why, I want to see if anyone can figure it out.

  22. Dovahkiin says:

    Lots of great work! Don’t think I have a chance, honestly, but I thought this was a fun topic.
    http://alexkeeton.deviantart.com/art/Akame-Oni-488897812?ga_submit_new=10%253A1413499708
    Born in feudal Japan, this girl’s mother was thrown from her home in the Kyoto Mountains after she gave birth to a baby with blood red eyes. They were forced to live in the wild. The mother died while the girl was still young, forcing her to live on her own. She was only able to survive by becoming one with the wild. She can channel her spiritual energy enough to manifest fire. Decades later she is the founder and the grand master of the Akashi (red death) Assassins. Her real name lost to time, she is only known as Akame-Oni (red-eye demon).

  23. MaDPac says:

    cliff:

    @MaDPac
    Very imaginative on Senshi Kobura. I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley … or a lit one … or at all LOL

    LOL 🙂

  24. Skybandit says:

    Amaterasu Omikami, Goddess of the Sun, bringing light to the world while carrying the Imperial Sword, Mirror and Necklace.

    http://images60.fotki.com/v367/photos/9/3278209/13009693/SkybanditJapan2-vi.png

  25. punkjay says:

    Stulte:
    Infiltrator

    http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/288/4/f/infiltrator_by_stulte-d82ykw8.png

    one of the best works I have seen in HM your play with light is amazing

  26. Stulte says:

    @ Cliff
    Thank you! Very decent of you to praise your competitors like that.

    @ punkjay
    Haha, thanks man, but there’s a lot of -way- better lit HM creations. Check this one out, Candruth’s winning entry in the Fantasy themed contest from a couple of months back: http://www.heromachine.com/wp-content/legacy/forum-image-uploads/candruth/2014/04/Priestess.png

  27. Skybandit says:

    Kenji Kenzo, a skinny young paraplegic blogger, says the magic word “Kamikaze” and the Heavenly Wind changes him into Sergeant Sumorai, the Rotund Ronin! Combining the powers of the Hulk and the Blob, here he is shown arriving in downtown Tokyo, doing his trademark Earthquake Stomp.

    http://images61.fotki.com/v444/photos/9/3278209/13009693/SkybanditJapan3-vi.png

  28. cliff says:

    @Skoal
    very kewl pose as well as hi-tech armor and helmet. I like it.

    @JR.
    Well it’s not the Halloween contest. We ARE having a Halloween theme contest starting Monday or on the 29th right?
    Character Design Contest 97 will start Nov 3, Deadline Nov 8, Judged by 15 if I calculate right, so not Thankssgiving, Not Christmas, Not New Years.
    So that leaves Start of Christmas Swap, Your birthday or Anniversary of being on HM, of Jeff’s Bday or Anniverary of Jeff starting HM/
    If not any of those. I’m tapped out. 😀

    @Yautja
    heh heh cute face, makes ya wonder what’s her story, why the half mask. Nice simple color palette, that can sometimes gor far with a judge.

    @Dovahkiin
    Kewl pose, also a nice clean color palette. I like tha arm/hand placement too. And good background story too.

    @MaDPac
    Heh Zonogado is very interesting. I don’t think I would have thought of an elephant guard. I thought that armor and guantlents really matched well. Kewl.

    @Skybandit
    Everytime I hear Amaterasu Omikami I think of her from the 1st Ed AD&D Dieties and Demigods book LOL 😀
    Very kewl sheild ya got there..

    @Punk jay
    You’re right Infiltrator is pretty awesome

    @Stulte
    Thanks for the compliment. It’s one thing that made the place feel like a real community to be a few years back, So doing my bit … when I can.

    Candruth’s Priestess was an awesome peice, it was also kind of you to compliment someone elsee not even in this contest..

    @okester
    Lost Love is very pretty. I really like the girl as well as the background. I hope she doesn’t do anything drastic with that sword.

    @Skybandit.
    Bwah ha ha ha ha 😀

  29. JR19759 says:

    Ok guys, this weeks contest is closed. The poll will be up shortly.
    @Cliff- Sorry but none of them. I’ll give you a hint, it has nothing to do with the date, but you can figure it out by looking at the contest number.