While my blogging schedule certainly won’t lead one to believe that “more frequent updates” was amongst my new year resolutions, at least I’m trying to stick to two previously brought up points on concerns of my N-Field blogging: First and most importantly is to reduce my backlog of planned writting whilst in the course of it also the much neglected BL side of it should face some more coverage here. Hence without wasting any more time than already done, moving on to another installment of thoughts and impressions that were long planned but always delayed thus far…
• Anniversary & Memorial
Release: 2008/12/28
11 pages (all color)
-Content sample shot No.1
-Content sample shot No.2
Without exaggeration Anniversary & Memorial represented one of the most sensational Doujin publications dedicated on CODE GEASS ~Lelouch of the Rebellion~ released back at the winter installment of Comiket (Comike75) in 2008. Reason which leads to this conclusion relates to the talent in charge of this celebrative titled Doujinshi – Yuki Sakou. While this name probably isn’t an instantly recognizeable one, that maybe different for those trusted to SUNRISE’s CODE GEASS, as Sakou-sensei was largely involved on the Anime project on various scales of visual presentation. Besides in-between animation and 2nd key animator, she also was in charge of opening animation and (chief) animation director for a good couple out of both season’s episodes. And as it turned out at Comike75, CODE GEASS represented a dear enough project of hers in order to launch a Doujin Circle with the rather suiting name of Roro Shoutai (ロロ小隊 – Roro platoon) on top and present us independent goodness based on this work with the celebrative Anniversary & Memorial. Before heading into details for the content, it’s noteworthy to drop a few lines over the publication format itself. Because this is not your “typical Offset” release at all, in fact, the debut work by Roro Shoutai features no binding or the likes of it at all. Instead and much to my initial surprise upon arrival, Anniversary & Memorial is kept in untypical A3 dimension while the the “content” itself being sheets! More precisely expressed, this Doujin release consists of 11 illustration sheets including the plain cover sheet that features an interesting paper structure, similar to those of a drawing block, and contains a short-kept Maegaki (pre-face message) by the artist on its flipside. These starting words are also the sole comments Sakou-sensei expressed within her release, which means that each of the individual artworks it comes along with are left completely “untouched” clear. That again enables a pretty impressive artistical presentation supported by the format (A3 sized art sheets) and of course the CODE GEASS eyecandy Yuki Sakou came up with for this publication. This also leads to the focus itself, which I hopefully let shine through during the intro part of today’s entry, is completely focused at the male cast out of CODE GEASS. So, if you’re looking for Doujin goodness based on this project and presented by staff members with female CODE GEASS chara portrayal, I’m afraid to tell you, that you’ve got to look further (there actually *is* independent Doujin goodness by talents which were involved on CG out!) because Anniversary & Memorial is theme-wise kept Bishounen/Seinen only. Not that *I* would complain at all, since this been one of my crucial reasons to get ahold of the release once I found out about it anyways.
Now let me continue this write-up with a couple of notes dedicated on the content of this Roro Shoutai publication. Getting that done via the ever-so-often a small list style description for the goodness Sakou-sensei presents.
- Roro x Lelouch romance first: How else could a Roro Shoutai release commence than with the pairing of these two? In fact this particular coupling been given a whole lot of focus througout the artworks Anniversary & Memorial consists of. While varying in style and “frankness” this starting illustration features a romantical cute setting of Roro holding out to the muffler/tissue of Lelouch’s outfit.
- Roro x Lelouch romance second: Another one which ends up on the cute romantic side of paring, with Lelouch taking a nap whilst Roro watches/looks down on sleeping Lelouch.
- Roro x Lelouch sweet mess: The first quite suggestive posing/theme here. Contrary to previous artworks it features a worked-out background (the others had some stylish one-colored flower pattern as BG art) with over-sized candy and cookies as setting while pants and shirt open Lelouch with an almost naked but Apron wearing Roro who’s got his face covered in what appears to be whipping cream from the sweets. Quite hot and unexpected refreshing past the starting “restrained” artworks herein.
- Roro x Lelouch monochrome: Bringing up another artistical technique Sakou-sensei did a b/w kept almost sketch-like illustrated take on Lelouch and Roro both on a couch, while Lelouch watches Roro sleeping on his limbs. Cute once again.
- Roro x Lelouch romance third: Another cute one to go for – Lelouch hugs Roro from behind with a pink transparent muffler, whilst Roro starts blushing.
- Schneizel x Kannon: Now *that’s* a whole different topic altogether. Not only does the pairing once change to these two Biseinen I fully adore, but also the theme itself is quite sexy. A slightly open-shirted Schneizel feeling up on Kannon’s hair (he who apparently took off Schneizel’s necktie!) and in his other hand Schneizel holds the bare foot of Kannon. Yummy and also my favorite out of the CODE GEASS eyecandy Yukie Sakou presented for this release altogether!
- Roro x Lelouch romance fourth: Remember that pink muffler? It’s back with Lelouch and Roro asleep on it. Cute but a little bit repeative on terms of theme, yet the artwork itself is of such great quality leaving little left to rant there!
- Angelic Roro: That’s my favorite take on Roro and once for a change he’s given solo treatment, with the illustration featuring Roro in his black uniform having angel wings and also holding a green cellphone (with cute strap).
- Roro x Lelouch romance fifth: Probably the most cutest out of them all. Roro sitting in boy fashioned suite (stockings and baby-blue short pants) on suited Lelouch’s knees.
- Roro x Lelouch the angel: Now back to a bit more risque and therewith lovely theme of this prevailing couple. Fully dressed Lelouch but angel winged (fully naked in contrast ^^) Roro flying towards Lelouch…that’s another favorite though not topping the subtle yet obvious erotism of Schneizel x Kannon in my view. Yet a wonderful concluding piece of Roro Shoutai goodness.
As one can probably deduce from this listing, with 10 illustration sheets in total comprising the content of Anniversary & Memorial, the debut publication by Roro Shoutai is anything else but extensive on terms of content. Also on the ranting side of nitpicks, to me it felt like a little bit too one-sided on the pairing Yukie Sakou conducted here, as everything except one artwork is dedicated to Roro and Lelouch (contrary especially if you’re a fan of these two characters, you’re in for a big treat I’d say!). So, my rants on regards of this release could be summed up with “a little more content and variety”. Yet, a much more prevailing impression this release left me with is the quality aspects conducted by Sakou-sensei for this very first Doujin release by Roro Shoutai. A big plus as far as I’m concerned goes to the unique style she decided to present this goodness through, as it totally enables splendid art showcase (while on another nitpick, once taken out it’s clear plastic sealing shops sold this release in, it’s rather tough to hold the sheets together due to the lack of any binding). Also another striking argument for this particular release goes to the general focus, some may call it genre, this publication is aiming for. While it’s absolutely nothing new that animators are also represented amongst Doujin spheres (heck, in fact whole Anime studio’s have a Doujin life besides in some cases *cough* GAINAX *cough*), the number of such talents doing BL centric or inspired works are mere few at best. Hence also besides all publication specific up’s and downside elements, I’d add a special plus to Yukie Sakou’s “pioneer spirit” there with this Circle project of hers. Regardless if you’re a big fan of CODE GEASS or not (here I have to admit that I count myself into the latter category as well), Anniversary & Memorial is a magnificent and unique publication altogether. That whilst not totally flawless makes a regretless acquisition which I’m hoping to see more facing release sooner or latter (despite the time that passed by since the event it’s been brought out for).
0verflow
