[CAUTION] Today's update is going to be Shi-heavy in content....

Umm... I just want to say in advance, I-I'm sorry about this, I didn't mean to be so self-indulgent....

- Some perspective drawing and minor re-styling for the Gale Shield/Blade. (SWF)
- Well, I know it seems like I'm unfairly targeting one character for humiliation, but I've re-named Fin's Unleash to Uni-form. It's supposed to stand for universal or unity, honest....
- I kinda played around a bit with the supposed future and its Rider, Kine (Kaini) and came up with his powered up mode, Rising Sun form.
- XS form (CrossSystem) is Integ's ultimate form. Sorry about the intentional bad pun (Excess form)....
- Ok, for fun, I ran most of my characters through the Flanderisation test and... well, the results weren't good....
- Made a few more stat revisions. I really shouldn't spend any more time on this, it's not necessary....
- Just for fun, I had a little think about character roles and types, not too important....
- "Possessing strong roots, withstanding any environment and condition...."; "Within a rank of its own, a Master Fungal Druid.... Shiitake Miko." - Uhh-hhahha... I guess, I shouldn't even try to comment on that.... (SWF)
- "Umm... I think I've had enough tea for one day...." Just another random Shi-chan quote. (SWF)
- A small ending change, that doesn't really affect the story at all... but to summarise, well... 1-track mind FTW...? (SWF)
- As a bonus, Fin now has a new final attack, Rider Manji Vortex. It's a combination of Rider Double Blow, Rider Launcher and Rider Arrow Kick together.
- Had a slight look back and realised I need to create a pocket dimension for Eri's wardrobe....
- Changed a few "system" names to make them sound more fancy... and uh, convoluted, I guess.... Well, to explain, GDR-01 uses an "Emit System" (unchanged) that runs through a Photon Emission Normalisation Structure (PENS). It's kinda a pointless detail, in the past it was simply the Emit System running through a specially designed combat suit... Oh well....
- Umm, I really shouldn't have bothered... well, trying explain where the Swift armor comes from, the pseudo-science I created was that the suit and Gale Shield were formed from drawing in any kind of particles from the surroundings/air and during the "de-henshin" phase, it simply disperses back into the air. Umm... it is a bit silly, sorry.... (SWF)

Ok, one last thing before I post this. I'm going to Hong Kong this Christmas, hopefully picking up a few nice things as well. But before I go, I want to try and leave a "going-away" present at the STK site. It's nothing too grand, just a little treat to tide over until the new year....

Oh, and... uhh, in case I don't leave another message on this blog for some time... um, h-happy christmas... and new year... I mean, and a happy new year....

Shi-chan

Right... it's time for another progress log....

I'm going to start this post off a bit differently, if that's ok. Well, it's just a small comment, but I guess, one of the hot topics recently would be the unveiling of the 2008 Rider. From what's been seen so far, I think it's an interesting design; a nice break from the more heavily armoured looks in recent years. But what got to me personally, was the surprising similarity between the new Rider's eye/mask design and the one I made for Kenshi quite a while ago. (7-12 Edit: Here's a quick scan of some early rough sketches, to show what I'm trying to say.)



Right... time to move on to the progress check. I've been putting some extra touches here and there on just about everything lately. Well, I'm still working on most of these at the moment, but there is something for everyone, I guess....

- Made a quick "for fun" sketch of various kick styles for some of the main characters.
- Re-styled the shell for the "PAC". After all this time, it's design was showing signs of looking dated.
- RzEdg's Soul Scythe has had a major overhaul! I've changed its weapon type and intended use. It suits the knight theme better now, and how it's actually used is much more of a Ritsuke-style like it should be.
- Started throwing a few ideas around for S.I.C. FLR.
- Not too drastic, but I've given Fin a few tweaks.
- "Pulling a 360" and "trees don't fall on apples", it appears. Ummm... I guess, there's never going to be anything good to report, on a Shi-chan update.... Uhh-hhahhahhaa....
- Tidied-up a couple of plot elements, to make some kinda random events more cohesive. Most importantly, to the EDG>STK>SHF direction and SWF's low survival rate.
- "The Future? I see, but that reason's not good enough for me." ...Goji... is just awesome....

I'm also knida getting into a habit of throwing in a little bonus at the end now.... Well, here's a scan of an early planning sketch for a Liner form art I decided to do on the side, just for fun:

Today's entry is going to be a bit diiferent this time....

Well, I don't have much in the way of solid updates, to report.... I've only been tidying up a few loose ends I've been meaning to get round to. Well, what that means, is sorting out/re-balancing some of the Rider stats, re-writing preview and episode descriptors and other bits-and-bobs like that, I guess.... For me, at least, it's kinda always been the small details which take the longest to work out.

Ohh, there is one thing, I need to announce. I'm aiming for this Kamen Rider "STK" project to officially launch in 2008. And, well... it's not much, but here's a few teaser images I recently made for it:


...and as a bonus... um, I'm not trying to self promote or show-off too much, uh-haha, but here's one for future events:

Not been very productive as of late....

I've kinda taken a week off, since I recently bought a copy of Pokemon Diamond.... I know this sounds like I've been a bit slow, I guess it's because I've never made a big deal deal about buying games at launch. I just kinda wait until I get round to it....

Sorry, I'm kinda side-tracking a bit there. Well, anyway... like I said, I haven't made much progress on this project, so it's quite a short list, this time:

- Reworked the design for Glide, her motive now is Water Strider/Pond Skater. She now has an Unleash type, Shear form, based on a cricket .... and she's become yet another swordie/slasher, sorry.
- Some more Unleash forms I knew about. I guess, I must have completely forgotten to mention them last time... or was being a bit absent-minded again.... Anyway, they are, Pike Duke form and Imago Wrath form. No designs for them yet, at the moment....
- Began working on the "4th Rider" promotional sketch. Next step, is the ...uh, colouring.... Yeah, I guess you could call it that....
- Planning/final sketch for Flr official art.
- Concept sketches for STK trailer/teaser art.
- Introducing: Salt-kun & Pepper-chan! Coming to a store near you! *Aatch!*
- Laying out the entire EDG/STK/??? timeline, again.... I'll probably make a few more changes before things are finalized.

Hhmmm... this list looks a lot longer than I thought, once I've put it down.... But, then again, the last five points were only done/thought up this weekend/today.... Maybe it was subconsciously in a panic rush...? Or my mind felt more refreshed, after my short break from STK work...?

Umm... I'm not sure....

(Edit: Ah! I really can be absent-minded sometimes! I forgot to mention one other important development, last night. I linked two of the one-off specials, Swf and ProjCmpl together through quite an important character. It kinda helps make more sense out of one, and expands on the hints dropped in the other. This kinda leads back to STK main and hopefully explains bits and pieces, here and there....)

That other thing I was talking about....

Well, I guess the humour in that scene is a bit out of context, since nobody's seen this character before.... I also made sure to keep it very spoiler free, considering when it takes place....

Tidying up a few more loose ends....

Things have been kinda moving a bit slow.... Instead, I've been spending time photoshopping a few works over the last week or so. Well, I did manage a couple of things, I guess....

- STK movelist/collection
- Putting a few extra touches to the (???-STK-??? combo)/ (Super-Charged Kougeki)/(Yuuki no Nekketsu) triple attack
- "Lining up" and finishing off a few sketches I made while ago....
- Started the layout for "a kinda odd, bath house scene"

Oh, almost forgot. There's one other thing I did, just over the weekend, actually. I'll say more about this, soon....

Finished up two major areas....

Right, I've finalized one major character and put some long overdue work into the GDR-03 line. I never planned it this way, but I'm starting to think that the back-story to the GDR-03 line might become better than that for GDR-02. There's also a few things here and there I've been doing as well:

- Fully developed CN character design
- Goji's helmet collection, it's more relevant than it first looks....
- A beetle gathering session
- First revision of the actual GDR-03(more below)
- EX1-GDR-03, Centurion Blaster re-design
- GDR-03 line development tree
- Thought up combination themes
- Changed/added some attack names
- Minor revisions to the Unlock System list
- New Unlock names: Surge/Surge Execute(Unleash) and Ward(Reflect only)
- Created an album for STK work here

I guess, I could say a bit more about the second of the two major developments. While I've been laying out the GDR-03 series, something eventually dawned on me. I realized all this time the 03 variants have been designed and in place, but there was no starting 03 model for them to be based upon. It felt kinda strange how there can be variations of a non-existent original, it's a hole I thought I really should fill in.

So, I began work on a new suit with aspects of the variants built into it, bearing in mind SNT-00's origins and came up with this design. This is meant to be the basis for the others in the GDR-03 line, so there's enough resemblance to look like the 03 variations were derived from it, while also having the "feel" of being from a future GDR line. Having to reverse-develop this from existing designs, here's the aptly named Guardian Rider Incorp:

There are some differences because the variants were supposed to be based on incomplete plans, a stripped down verion or re-constructed. So right now, this design is mainly for completeness' sake, I have no plans for the original to actually make an appearance... yet.

Oh yeah... I also updated my profile again. It's just random info, not meant to hint at anything... um, I think?

Right... report time... and spoiler pics!!

A little sneak peek in this entry, ...hopefully it remains in this blog until the right time....

Ok, first the updates:
- Decided on the Incorp/SNT numbering
- Further GDR-03 work
- GDM-GCP and GDR-03 Machine concept developments

Now... what I was talking about earlier.... Two pictures I felt like putting up, to break up the walls of text, a bit:





Ok... quick explanation. The first image is a special form for a far-future story and the second one has spoiler details in the sketch.

Well, that's it. I'm hoping to push out some more for next time....

Another progress review....

Been busy lately, haven't managed to make as much progress as I wanted to....

- Some FttE scenes
- Samples of Project: BLAZE henshin scenario
- GDR-03 debut scene
- GDR-03 design/development

...I guess, I should try to push out the Gd section first of all....

(Edit: Whoops, almost forgot. I also did some re-structuring to parts of the BLAZE story; early/intro parts, re-ordered the mid-section, Sav layout, finale events and added hints into PrjCmp.)

On to the hard parts....

So... what should I do now? Rewrites, reworking, checking and bringing it altogether.

Well, on the side, I've also had a bit of fun making a few random scenes, which I'll use for stories in future (future as in possible sequel for some). I guess, it won't hurt to vaguely list a couple, as VERY premature teasers:
- Why friends don't let friends drink and henshin
- Making a scene, whether they like it or not
- The time-saving, assisted henshin(tm)
- I'm only wet because I care
- Energize! Wait, we don't have teleporters yet!!
- Diagnostic check... Head... shoulders... knees and toes...?
- Goji redefines ownage

Hmm... I should probably spend more time getting some of the more current stuff finished first....

I started photoshopping and I realised I'm kinda slow....

Well, it'll take a bit of time, before I'm finished... and I still have a battle sample to do....

In the mean time, here's a sketch for Edge:

A bit behind schedule....

Ok, some things took longer than I thought.... I'll try to do what I can.

Very quick note....

I'm in the middle of something right now... should be finished by the end of the week.... Oh yeah, I'll be doing my progress update then, as well....

Well, I gotta get back to it, I guess....
Shi-chan

Just... getting on with it, I guess....

Ok... so what've I done since last time:
- I'm doing fine with the storyboarding, need to work on some of the side-Abnormals.
- A bit of visualizing for the Mark 1 intro. Hopefully it makes a nice cameo.
- I really should crank out some official art. It's something I've been meaning to do for some time now.
- Well, this doesn't really belong here... but I thought I should say one of the characters has unintentionally gone off on a weird tangent. ...Sorry, Su-chan....

Ok.... fortnightly updates are becoming a bit of a habit now....

Well, so far I've finished laying-out parts 1 and 2. Next... well, I'm ready to start on Mark 1 properly, now. I also need to go over the sub-plots for Mark 5 and 6, as well. What else... oh yeah, I should start whipping up some preview artwork, while I'm at it.

I guess, it should be ok, to release the series name early here.... I'll also link this place to the project's main update page on LJ.

Ok then... hopefully I'll start publishing some Kamen Rider Streak material soon....

Um... well, this is just a quick progress check.

I've almost finished story-boarding "Part 1", with "Part 2" coming straight after it. I also made a quick sample sheet, for some battle pose ideas.

Well, hopefully that's one section finished by tomorrow....

I have been working, honest!!

Ok.... I guess I should make a progress report by now....

I know I've been kinda quiet since my last entry....

Well, here's what I've got so far:

- Reference pages for 2 out of 3 titular characters
(I know this might sound weird, I tend forget some of my own designs....)
- Rough draft for Battle sample EDG
- Finalized concept design for the demonstrator/punchbag, Mollusc kaijin!!
- GDR-01 bike designs
- "Theme" bikes.... well, just for fun....
- I shouldn't really say too much about this.... the unformed concept is in the early development stage....
- Started sorting out the Gd section properly
- Collected the GDA designs together
- Finally got round to doing early concept sketches for the Sawano parents
(This is really far-future stuff)
- GDR-01 designs.... all complete!!
- Gd classification lists are done
- I've also planned out a certain train-based crossover, but I won't able to use it for a long time....

So far, this has all been prep work.... I should make a few publishable samples soon....

My work load's eased up... time to really get to work!!

Well, I'm done with exams, assessments and such now. So in my free time, I'll be working on this pet-project now, instead of thinking too much about how well I did....

So far I've started a battle sample and then, some more pre-release stuff to come.

For now, I guess I'll just show some scans of those Den-O practice sketches, that I spent quite a bit of time talking about last time:

Hmm.... I might have some problem getting my priorities straight....

I kinda squandered what free time I had today.

Well, I was thinking of making a bit of progress, then I got a bit distracted and ended up starting on planning out the Den-O wallpaper which I had in mind for a while instead.... Well, uh, from there on I moved on to a practice sketch of Sword form's helmet... ...and ended up also doing a full body Sword form; armour and helmets for the other three forms; the Den-O belt and Rider Pass. Well, maybe that doesn't count, I basically drew a rectangle with hinges....

But anyway, by the time I was done, well, I kinda remembered what I was planning on doing in the first place but can't anymore because of what time it was. Kinda strange, I know, since I have managed to blog this on the same day/night....

...Sorry, I think I'm starting to ramble on quite a bit here. I need to stop getting sidetracked so easily.... Yeah, ok, that's what I'll try and do.... I better stop now before I go on any longer....

...bye...?

Nothing to really say.... just trying to fill up this empty period....

Umm.... wow.... this looks quite bad.... taking a first step into something new and I.... well, just haven't got round to getting any further after that....

Ok, once my work load drops, I'll be getting back to this, first thing!

A small teaser image for Kamen Rider ??????

....ok, ....I got impatient....

Well, I know it's only a few days difference.... I-I just felt like putting "something extra" here, before it's official release on Sunday....

Well, it's not a lot.... but, here goes nothing:



Um.... well, I hope you like it.... a bit, at least.

There, it's now official....

Hi.... um, I guess I should make another post by now, even if just to show this blog's still active....

Well, I've made a bit of progress, nothing too great, but it's getting there.... I think the tags in my first post, might have given the game away. ....uh, oops?

Hm.... well, I might as well come out and say it.... yes, it's going to be Kamen Rider related. What does STK stand for? Well, I'll reveal that in good time.... I do have something in store, ....but I'll also try and make a good first impression. It is kinda important, right....?

An intro post.... I guess.... it's time to bite the bullet....

Hi, I'm Miko Hikawashi, but everyone just normally calls me Shimi....

I know it might sound like a bit of a weird nickname to some, but there's a bit of a story behind it. It's a very simple one,.... but I think I'm going off on a tangent for an introduction, sorry. I'll try and remember to explain it later, but it's really no big deal.... I'm sorry if I'm making it sound more important than it really is....

Um, well I guess the title might be a bit misleading as well.... Don't worry, I'm not going to do something dangerous or anything. What I mean by "biting the bullet" is, well, I've decided to go ahead and make a start on something I've been meaning to do for some time. I'm going to be using this blog to keep a progress check on a little side project I've been working on for quite some time now. I hope it doesn't turn out too bad....

I'm sorry, if this all sounding very vague.... I'm not sure how much info I'm allowed to reveal yet.... This is just a start, but I'll try to update as soon as I can, I promise.

Shi-chan