#project ryuu ch18

[kurougadraws]

A sketch of young Ryuuko and Senketsu for chapter 18 of my Kill la Kill fanfiction Project RYUU.

I wanted to sketch the two of them in a nod to the klk Volume 5 cover. Though where the ref art shows them at the end of their journey together, here we see them at the start of their journey in the AU.

[kurouga]

Project RYUU rambling -- ‘Early Days,’ Ryuuko and Senketsu

(Spoiler level? Mild)

We don’t know all of Senketsu’s secrets or Ryuuko’s backstory in Project RYUU yet, but my goal with the ch18 art was to convey how genuinely happy young Ryuuko is to have Senketsu by her side.

We see here a very different Ryuuko than the distraught, sobbing child we left off with at the end of chapter 17 (Early Days). Ryuuko in the fic has grown up in seclusion, presumably even more so than in canon; for the first few years of her life, the half-dragon’s father is her only acquaintance, practically the only person she’s ever seen or has any relationship with -- her caretaker and her best friend.

This peace, these woods and these hikes, her life and her home here with her father – these are her treasures.

*Insert thief-Ryuuko and her material treasure-hoarding impulses in the present day here* Hmm...

Even as Isshin becomes more consumed in his work, we emphasize in Early Days that the young Ryuuko considers him a symbol of safety, and despite the bitterness she feels, she still cherishes what little time they spend together.

Unfortunately, she also fundamentally struggles to comprehend why she should care about anyone else (a trait that carries over to present-day Ryuuko, who initially balks at the thought of fighting for the rebellion or being expected to play some role in the as-of-yet briefly touched upon prophecy), or why anything in the ‘outside world’ should affect their life together -- and Isshin’s realizing the detrimental effects of the way she’s growing up is a factor in his decision to send her off to the capital. But Ryuuko isn’t prepared for this, and when she’s separated from her father, her entire world falls apart.

And that’s where we leave off with the first of a series of interspersed flashback chapters to come -- Ryuuko is hurt, in disbelief, and feeling betrayed. She feels defeated and hollow inside.

But then, this? The next look at young Ryuuko we’re provided?

Some time has passed, but something’s certainly changed in Ryuuko since Isshin first sent her away.

Though she doesn’t know it yet, this is Ryuuko with her oldest friend. She’s so happy he’s there, and she’s holding on tight. She’s opened up her heart again and formed her first new bond of many to come.

And Senketsu? He’s a puppy at this point so by definition he’s ready to conquer the world, but he’s ready to do so at his best friend’s side. And in a world of people Ryuuko has to hide her identity from, Senketsu couldn’t care less whether she’s a human or a dragon -- she’s Ryuuko, and she’s his home.