#coco-study

[chaikajpeg]

day two of "just a quick sketch and i'll do my assignments" (this took me 2h 45min so far)

photo reference: Bej48 - Hu XiaoHui & Qing Yuwen

[rapid-artwork]

Time for phase two.

Last batch of Cartoon Network studies.

[jorenilee]

doodles of my dauhter !!! and her weirdass teacher

[teainkstudies]

a sweet slow morning, then back to studying 🤎

[tohruies]

it smells of marshmallows and talcum powder and sugared milk in this part of the store. faintly sweet, in the way babies usually are. and it’s warm, pale starlight through the windows catching on the soft pastels of hanging onesies and plush animals with button eyes, the lull of a music-box from the next aisle down—it all makes your little heart beat a little harder.

you hold up a tiny dandelion-yellow dress to karasu’s hand, marvelling at how it’s no larger than the size of his open palm. “this one’s so cute.” you giggle, bite back a silly, lovestruck smile.

“yeah, it is,” and you realise with the way he gazes at you what it is that he truly finds cute. when he leans in just close enough for you to feel his breath on your cheek, reaching past you to place the dress at the top of your near-overflowing cart. “think we’re goin’ a bit overboard?”

“but it’s for the donation drive!” you place your hand on your boyfriend’s arm, shyly making some distance between the two of you.

even after all of this, you still fluster as though it’s your first time.

“mhm.” he follows in tow as you continue down the aisle, his arm reaching blindly for the nearest plushie. “and you sure yer not tryna send me some kinda subliminal message?” 

he reaches out to nuzzle it against your nose and grins, slow, amused, when he recognises the stuffed animal in his hold, “think our baby would like reindeers?”

“our baby?!”

karasu breaks out into a peal of laughter at your bashful response—lips spread wide and eyes squinted shut, in a way that hides his beauty mark beneath his lashes. “what—can’t a man dream a little?” he continues, a little quieter this time, almost offhand, “you’d make a good mom, anyway.”

it’s tucked beneath his teasing; the warmth, the tender ache. he’d always been somewhat afraid of his own heart, but these days, with you, he finds himself reaching for gentleness without a second thought.

your throat tightens and the world in front of you turns glassy. so you do what you do best and smile—lopsided, sincere, cradling that overwhelmed type of joy you feel when you’re with him.

the reindeer stays in your cart.

it’s world health day today!!!!!!! 🍼🧸 the campaign for 2025 is maternal and newborn health—this is how i think karasu and myself would celebrate, if it’s okies to share hehe >v<

[incorrect-toriko-quotes]

Toriko: The Four Heavenly Kings (Analysis)

Why on Earth are they called the "Four Heavenly Kings" when they're not actual Kings, not exactly 'heavenly', and there's only four of them on a good day?

(Very very long explanation & very very abbreviated Buddhism crash-course below the cut)

The Japanese writing for the Four Heavenly Kings is 四天王 (Shitennō). This comes from the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhist tradition. To grossly abbreviate, the Four Heavenly Kings are four gods in Buddhism said to each watch over one cardinal direction of the world.

It's a little hard for me to explain this, since in my experience as a half-Japanese, this story barely ever came up (my family was not particularly religious, and more Shinto than anything).

The Four Heavenly Kings (in Japanese Buddhism) are as follows:

Bishamonten/Tamonten:

Direction: North

Season: Winter

Element: Earth

Colour: Black

Represents: One who "hears all", always listening

Often depicted as: Warrior, punisher of evildoers

Note: He's often depicted separate from the Four.

Jikokuten:

Direction: East

Season: Spring

Element: Water

Colour: Blue

Represents: The Guardian of the Nation

Zōchōten:

Direction: South

Season: Summer

Element: Fire

Colour: Red

Represents: Spiritual growth, wisdom

Kōmokuten:

Direction: West

Season: Autumn

Element: Metal

Colour: White

Represents: One who "sees through evil", or has a third eye

Often depicted as: Carrying a brush and scroll

Further reading: Here's the Wikipedia page.

Now. This doesn't sound at all familiar, right? (Sarcasm sarcasm)

...

My initial connection was that each of the Toriko Kings are based off the Shitennou. After all,

Toriko was born in spring (25 May), has blue hair, and seeks to guard the world from war by capturing God. Also, where was he after Froese sought to protect him and Star from Acacia? On a boat, in the water | Spring, blue, guardian, water = Jikokuten

Coco was born in autumn (29 October), when he goes through his character transformation his hair turns white, he can see things nobody else can and is defined by his incredible sight, and is generally the more diplomatic/planner of the group. This may be a stretch, but his poison travels in his blood, often associated with metal due to its iron content | Autumn, white, sight, scroll, metal = Kōmokuten

Sunny was also an autumn baby, but earlier than Coco (therefore closer to summer). More importantly, his name is Sunny. On top of that, he focuses on growing his 'intuition'. | A stretch, but sunshine and wisdom = Zōchōten

Zebra was born in winter (9 February), is often separate from the group (it takes him like half the first arc to join the crew and is generally distinct form the group). Much like Coco and his eyesight, Zebra is defined by hearing everything. He's considered 'war-like', but punishes those he considers 'cocky' (his version of immortality). The first time we see him, it's an underground arc (Mellow Cola) | Winter, warlike, punisher of evildoers, distinct from group, ground/Earth = Bishamonten

This was part of my theory on how they got their names, initially. Toriko is the exception (as discussed in a previous post), but:

Coco's name should technically be romanised as Koko, possibly a diminutive/derived from Kōmokuten

Sunny's name, possibly a connection to Zōchōten's association with summer

Zebra... yeah I've been trying to figure this one out for years and I still don't get it.

But there's... one massive problem with this immediate connection.

And you probably caught on as soon as I mentioned the four cardinal directions...

Obviously, the Four Beast was meant to allude to the four cardinal directions that the Shintennō must guard, as each limb came from one cardinal direction.

Let's recap:

GAOH: Fang King - Toriko's beast, from the East (the lion-like thing)

INVITE DEATH - Coco's beast, from the North (the poison one)

KING OCTOPUS KONG - Sunny's beast, from the West (the pink slimy octopus that made him squeal)

MOUNT TURTLE - Zebra's beast, from the South (volcano turtle)

Now, I'm mostly not looking into the actual limbs themselves for symbolism. Why? Because they were audience submissions.

But let's look at what we've got.

Toriko, the spring Guardian king, is guarding from the EAST

However,

Coco is guarding from the NORTH (Bishamonten's direction)

Sunny is guarding from the WEST (Kōmokuten's direction)

Zebra is guarding from the SOUTH (Zōchōten's direction)

But... why?

It's entirely possible I was completely out to lunch looking at the superficial birthday connection.

After all, Coco and Bishamonten are both associated with black (Coco wears all black and has black hair), Coco was born close-ish to winter, and Coco is rather standoffish and could be considered separate from the other Kings (being the only one who actually quit Hunting). Sunny has partially white hair, and was born in autumn as Kōmokuten is associated. Zebra and Zōchōten, aside from starting with the same letter, are both red (Zebra has red... ish hair and wears a dark red, if you squint) and rather fiery. Plus, Zebra fought a Volcano Turtle (fire).

Unfortunately, this would also put me back at Square One trying to decipher their names.

Then again, it's also entirely possible they weren't all meant to represent one, singular King. We've established that Shimabukuro will play loosey-goosey with tradition, since it's a silly kid's show after all. He might've gone "I'll call them the Shitennou because there's four of them" and later went "AND the Four Beast will come from four different cardinal directions!" Maybe the connections were superficial and nothing more. After all, it's definitely odd that Toriko isn't modelled after the 'stand-out' Shintennō in any way. Or maybe I'm missing something huge (entirely possible since I'm not Buddhist)

TLDR:

From a superficial standpoint, it seems, at the very least, we can pin down that Toriko's symbolism was likely inspired by Jikokuten, the Heavenly King of Spring who guards from the east.

The other kings could be viewed in two different ways:

One, the superficial view:

Coco represents Kōmokuten | Why: Eyesight ("third eye"), temporary white hair when he 'levels up', autumn birthday, poison in his blood | Possibly his name was a diminutive from Kōmokuten (his name is technically Koko)

Sunny represents Zōchōten | Why: Sunny = summer connotation, intuition may represent wisdom | Possibly named for the summer connotation

Zebra represents Bishamonten | Why: Hearing ("hears all"), winter birthday, war-like and a punisher, often separate from the others

Two, the Four Beast view:

Coco represents Bishamonten | Why: Invite Death came from the North, Coco has black hair (and wears all black), and is often separated from the group for being the only one who quit Gourmet Hunting

Sunny represents Kōmokuten | Why: King Octopus Kong came from the West, Sunny has white(ish) hair, and was technically born in autumn.

Zebra represents Zōchōten | Why: Mount Turtle came from the South, Zebra is a fiery personality, and has red(ish) hair and wears (dark) red, and he fought Mount Turtle which is a turtle with a volcano on its back.

So I'll leave it up to y'all which you choose to interpret. Or as something else entirely?

[tokyoviee]

girlhood spectrum on a monthly basis. 🪢🔪

[dazais-guardian-angel]

Well, at least Fukuzawa got his wish granted, I guess.... he's finally inside Fukuchi <3

[lehua1011]

A master copy of a panel from witch hat atelier!

[iscreamicescream]

[musubiki]

better to not ask next time

[nowandthane]

look what came in the mail from the bestest most amazing friend @menacingmetal 😭😭😭🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 was in genuine tears when i was opening this package and just squealing with every new thing that i saw <3 truly have no idea what words there are to express just how overwhelmed with gratitude i am omg i love you so so much thank you thank you thank you 🥹🥹🥹

[kiyrian]

Witch Hat Atelier has such a good 1st chapter. It sets up so much about our main characters and the world itself?

Just in one chapter we learn

- our main character is positive and proactive. She is incredibly curious but also courageous (and we are shown all this through her actions!)

- her mentor doesn't vibe with authority, he is willing to break rules when it aids him. While he also tried to help people some of those acts are out of his own interest

- the world has specific rules about magic, who can see it being used. And people are going to try to break those rules, just like the boys at the start and Coco. The boys failed but Coco didn't and the only thing saving her from memory wipe is her usefulness

- magic can be both helpful and harmful depending on how it is used and the person using it (here mostly their skill, not intentions)

All this in one chapter and further reading shows it's consistent with the rest of the story but also gives the characters so much place to grow and the world to change.

[tohruies]

[moonlitattic]

Traditional inking practice ft a study of official art of Witch Hat Atelier and fanart of Zero (again!)

Writings for left image: “Study of Witch Hat Atelier with G nib and school nib - 01/24/2025

Center right: “Skirt practice with G pen nib - 01/24/2025”

Lower right: “Spoon pen - 01/24/2025”

Center left: “Spoon nib - 01/24/2025”

Writings for right image: “Inking practice of Sakamoto Shinichi’s Zero Sanson (from Innocent Rouge)”

Lower left: Inked with G pen, school pen nib and Tachikawa pen nib.”

[softstarsabove]

A gift for @tohruies !!

"The perfect winter day."

Word count: 400

Not proofread ! (Also, I haven't gotten alhaitham's character down fully. Bear with me 🤧)

The air was chilly as snow fell in soft clumps, collecting in the pairs' hair as they walked down the streets covered in a thin layer of white.

Alhaitham carried a few bags in one hand, different designer brands from the mall. He'd only have the best for the one he loved most. In his other hand was coco's, tucked into his jacket pocket to keep her hand warm while he tossed a short glance every once in a while to make sure she kept her other hand tucked in her own pocket.

The silence between them was comfortable, laid over the area like a warm blanket in the cold air. It wasn't long before alhaitham was pulling the door open for coco to step inside, following after her. As she took her shoes off, he gently placed his hand over her shoulder, making sure she won't fall before slipping his own off.

After putting away the new items they bought together, he made sure the heat was on before joining her in the kitchen, a nice warm drink already being poured into two mugs. He smiled softly, resting his hands on her hips as he pressed himself close, giving a soft kiss to the back of her head.

"I made you some hot chocolate." She turned her head to look up at him, a soft smile to match his pulling at her lips. "..thank you."

The two made their way to the loveseat near the tv, alhaitham sitting down and pulling her onto his lap as he gently took the hot mug from her hand to set it beside his on the end table. "What was that movie you wanted to watch last week?" His voice was gentle beside her ear, hus breath warm against her skin.

"Oh!" Coco grinned and reached for the remote, leaning back against her lover as she set the movie up, yet his gaze did not stray from her lovely face. "Ready?" She turned her head to meet his gaze and held back a small laugh at the expression on his face. Absolutely lovesick.

She leaned in to press a quick kiss to his lips and directed him to watch the tv, starting the movie.

He couldn't help the way his eyes drifted back to coco every once in a while, admiring her beauty before he forced his gaze back to the screen.