i actually think that this concept art is really interesting when you consider what it means for herlock’s character and his relationship with yuujin. the truth is that we know next to nothing about how those six years they spent together went, but this illustration kind of tells us everything that we really need to know: by combining this and what we see in their relationship now, kazuya nuri has told us everything about them through just a simple drawing.
this is most likely towards the earlier stages of their partnership, so herlock is probably only around 18-20. obviously he is visually very different from the herlock in tgaa—his “casual” appearance is much less put-together, his hair is longer, and his posture is much more relaxed—but what immediately catches your eye is herlock’s expression! you could interpret it as him being lost in thought or him looking a little pissed off, but we would NEVER see today’s herlock making an expression even resembling that: his deductions are meant to appear effortless, after all, and he never really expresses his true feelings. he has his serious moments, but he would never appear that intense.
and i just. i think it is so, so sweet. that yuujin’s friendship was able to change herlock so much. when you look at him in this illustration you can immediately understand who he is: a moody, young adult man (glorified teenager) who doesn’t really understand who he is yet, doesn’t know how to open up to other people, doesn’t know what to do with himself. and yuujin’s kindness is what changes him fundamentally: his friendship, his support. as much as he cares about susato and ryuunosuke, he MEANS it when he says that yuujin is his only true friend. because as much as they mean to him, they haven’t seen him at his worst. they haven’t helped him grow into himself. they didn’t give him the most important person in his life.
at the end of the day herlock isn’t perfect. FAR from it; he’s a fucking mess. but yuujin’s influence helped him. saved him, in a way, and because of that, he’s happy. even though he struggles with rent constantly, though he still keeps his heart locked up tight, he is happy and he has a daughter and that’s what matters. and nuri conveys all of this through just one picture to accompany the story :)
[ID: A sepia-toned digital drawing of Herlock Sholmes and Yujin Mikotoba from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. Sholmes is dipping Mikotoba, presumably in the midst of a dance, as they smile warmly at each other. Mikotoba has one hand keeping his hat on his head while the other hand rests on Sholmes' shoulder, while Sholmes is pointing a finger in the air. He has a text bubble reading, "Why-- it's elementary!" Mikotoba responds with, "But of course." The second image is close-up of the first image, focusing on Sholmes and Mikotoba's expressions. The speech bubbles are edited out. End ID.]
you, as the next in line in your family, are up to take the throne and rule your kingdom, zerose. you must find yourself a worthy partner before you may do so. your father, in all his weird antics, decides to throw a great party in your honor for you to meet 9 suitors the royal staff have decided are worthy enough to marry you. all of them either princes, royalty, or nobility in their own right. each with a small gift to offer when meeting you.
it is difficult to decide. they are all extremely charming, kind, worthy. even as some attempt to steal the spotlight, it is a hard choice to battle with. they are all deserving.
at this party, all suitors have been asked to give the royal in question a flower from their kingdom, representative of their persona. you hope to get close enough to all of them to make an informed decision on who you will prefer to spend the rest of your life with. what a major decision to make over just a couple meetings, but you suppose it must be done.
before the party begins, your father gives one suitor an advantage, a head-start, of meeting you. he doesn't give you a flower outright like the rest of the suitors. just a moment after you finish your dance with him, you find it in your hand after he had disappeared into the crowd. the flower replaces the feeling of his hand, but not the warmth that he had.
so when you step onto the floor where all are dancing for the final time, the flowers in your hand feel deceptively heavy. you find them a clear vase to be displayed in while you collect more.
so many of them catch your eye, from the one with the big dreams who talks to you so personably to the hopeless romantic who looks at you with the love only an old married couple would have. they are all so charming. and, thus, your impossible decision.
[WIP] im actually soooo happy with this like its literally my guys
[ID: a pencil sketch of herlock sholmes and yujin mikotoba. sholmes' hands are visible, and he digs through the persian slipper on the mantel. the mirror on the mantel reflects holmes in his dressing gown looking at mikotoba with a soft expression on his face. mikotoba adjusts his cufflinks, looking tired. the room behind them is also fully rendered. /End ID.]