I Would Sing You A Song Of Devotion

[redbrunja]

phoenix_melody asked me some more questions.


My top five fanartists (these are not nessecarily the people who have done my favorite pieces of individual fanart, but who I feel have show skill and have a decent portfolio to recommend them.)

Cynchick



Everything she draws just glows and I love how realistic she can get a character, while it still undeniably looks like the person who know.

Drisela


Zutara_TightKnots_SB-CH.7 by ~Drisela on deviantART


Zutara_modesty by ~Drisela on deviantART

Another artist who is one with the glowy-ness, Drisela will draw both more simplistic, sketches that say so much, and more finished pieces that look positively touchable.

Samurai-Pet:


Blindfold by ~Samurai-PET on deviantART


His Boss by ~Samurai-PET on deviantART

You know an artist is good when they draw a pairing you DON'T like, and yet everything they drawn that ship, you're like, 'yeah, that's hot.'

Sorceressmyr:


quarte benders by *sorceressmyr on deviantART


In Touch by *sorceressmyr on deviantART

PICK KAKASHI! WHY IS THERE EVEN DEBATE! (sorry, my OTP got the best of me for a minute). I would love it if she would do a straight Kakashi/Sakura at one point.


SuiKa_tension by *sorceressmyr on deviantART

Orepookpook


Ozai's Vengeance by ~OrePookPook on deviantART


Zutara 073 - Blame by ~OrePookPook on deviantART

Honorable Mention:

MuseSilver


NaruSaku: In the Office by *MuseSilver on deviantART

Count how many of Naruto's fantasies are coming true in just this one fanart...


NaruSaku: Content by *MuseSilver on deviantART


I don't ship just about ANY of her pairing, but I love her style greatly.

First, pheonix asked me for my top five fanfic writers, which almost caused an anxiety attack. The authors who wrote my top five favorite fics? The people on my flist who I adore who write fic?

So she gave me myt op five guilty pleasures instead.

1.) Arranged marriage fic. Shut up, okay.

2.) Naruto, which I should apparently feelt guilty for loving.

3.) Cool-whip eqsue 'whipped topping' that has nothing remotely dairy-like in it.

4.) The In Death series, although after however many books I've ready, I think I've finally burned out on them. *sad face* Peabody! I love you and your realistic body type and awesometastic relationship with another guy with a realistic body type.

5.) Skippy peanut butter and/or fandomsecrets . I really need to stop visiting that site because it desensitizes me to the crazy yet I can't seem to help myself.

Five things you wish you could change about Naruto canon (or other series of choice).

1.) The ratio of female to male characters is 1:1 instead of 1:2 and the women get the same amount of screen time as the guys.

2.) It's quality screentime, doing awesometastic things.

3.) Either Neji, Chouji, or Kiba died during the Sasuke-in-a-barrel arc.

4.) The sharingan is treated like the rip-off jutsu it is, and can't do more than the copying and the mental torture.

5.) There is no training sequence longer than, cumulative, four pages. Ever. If that was enough time with Sakura and Tsunade, than it's plenty for whatever Naruto or Sasuke is doing.

Comments

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

3.) Either Neji, Chouji, or Kiba died during the Sasuke-in-a-barrel arc.

I vote Neji. Just because.

I think fandom secrets has actually managed to desensitize me enough that that I can handwave or ignore 90% of fandom and at least go along with things even if I disagree.

I am deeply disturbed that there's an appeal to the blindfold and bondage pic.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I vote Kiba, because I care about him the least, and I ship Chouji x Ino and Neji x Hinata.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

I never liked Neji. There were bits of his relationship with Hinata that appealed, but never quite enough for his earlier actions. I get why he had so much hate, it just didn't appeal. Chouji/Ino is one of only 3 potential pairings in the series who held any real interest for me, though. (Shikamaru/Temari and Kiba/Hinata being the other two, though none ever enough to ship or really follow.)

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I can totally understand not liking Neji.

And I expected to like Shikamaru/Temari more than I actually do. Other pairings just interest me more. And as for Hinata/Kiba... if I was going to ship her with a guy of that personality type, I'd want her to get Naruto, on the principle that Hinata should get whatever she wants.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

It's not "dislike," really. I just could never more than accept him, even though I acknowledge that he did a decent job of redeeming himself.

I notably like them dumb at times, but what made me like Kiba when I could never tolerate Naruto was that Kiba tends to be more aware of what's going on with people around him. Naruto is very caring of pretty much everyone, even people who don't deserve it, but has no real awareness of when someone is in need or wants something unless it's pointed out, and Hinata isn't the type to wear things on her sleeve, whereas Kiba is always pretty aware of what's going on with her and pushes her to speak up for herself.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Good point.

[strange_quark]

Total word on all the fanartists! Especially Cynchick and OrePookPook. OPP draws really awesome Zutara and the way Cynchick draws certain characters (like Kakashi and Deidara) are just drool-worthy.

(Psst, sorceressmyr has done one or two straight Kakashi/Sakura pieces :D They're in her scraps.)

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Oh my lord! With the finger against her lips and the uh with the guh!

[strange_quark]

I know, right? There's a very subtle sexuality to a lot of her art that I just love.

I wish she'd do more KakaSaku, but I understand it's not her preferred pairing.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

*nods*

I hate it when that happens. It's like, why can't all the good writers/artists love what I love?

[strange_quark]

You... you mean the universe doesn't revolve around what I want? God damn it. I protest.

/sarcastic petulance.

XD

Honestly, with fanart, I get really distracted by the pretty. I normally can't do incest, but I saw one really gorgeous Neji/Hinata that had me going "Ooh, now that would be really hot... NO NO BRAIN STOP BAD WRONG."

As for fic, if it's well written I'll give a lot of things a go. I got into DeiSaku by reading fics, I don't know that I'd have come up with it on my own.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm very much a 'convince me' person. I'll try most het and femmeslash pairing once.

[mistaria.livejournal.com]

Agree on those artists although I haven't seen the last one before. Especially on SamuraiPet.

Also, sorceressmyr has done a straight KakaSaku... It was in her scraps though and I think she might have taken it down since the last time I looked for it I couldn't find it. :( OH WAIT... Here it is! (http://sorceressmyr.deviantart.com/art/kakasaku-simple-kiss-68504116) Seems like there was another one I was thinking of too but it might have been by a different artist. I really like her sexy no jutsu (http://sorceressmyr.deviantart.com/art/team7-sexy-no-jutsu-64064539) too. :) EDIT: Ooops, sorry, I didn't see that someone else posted the KakaSaku art by her.

Hell yes to number 5 on your what to change about Naruto bit. I vote this for all shounen manga.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I almost posted the sexy no jutsu as an example.

And I would be SO HAPPY if training sequences got the ax.

[mistaria.livejournal.com]

I don't mind it when there is good character development involved but... generally it's the same old, "I MUST GET IMPOSSIBLY STRONG BECAUSE MY ENEMY IS IMPOSSIBLY STRONG EVEN THOUGH I JUST SPENT A THIRD OF THE LAST CHAPTER BECOMING IMPOSSIBLY STRONG."

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY. IT GETS SO FUCKING OLD.

[mistaria.livejournal.com]

I find myself constantly thinking, "How fucking strong can these people get?!" Though I've pretty much come to accept it as part of the package.

[the-sun-is-up.livejournal.com]

Yay for fanart! *fangirls MuseSilver and Samurai-PET* And have you seen Gabzillaz's gallery? She does lots of pretty Zutara and Taang.

And Sakura can't have Kakashi because... um... I am keeping him for myself loool.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Fanart is love! I need to you through your latest and beg for author names so I can see their whole gallery. And not, I haven't seen Gabzillaz's gallery - thanks for the rec!

[phoenix-melody.livejournal.com]

I am sorry to be the source of an almost-anxiety-attack. >.>;

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Don't apologize!

[nimblnymph.livejournal.com]

You COULD, in a way, look at the 4-page fight sequences for Sakura and Tsunade as a compliment to their abilities.

Meaning this: They're obviously SO good at calculating their opponent in no time flat and then executing whatever plan of attack they come up with that they don't NEED to take up a whole freakin' book to defeat one person. They get in, kill the sunufabitch, and get out... like any GOOF ninja SHOULD do. No long monoloques about their "ninja way". No "flashbacks" to how awful uncle is. They stay focused and kick ass.

And they didn't need someone to come and bail their asses out. *points to barrel moment*

Also... I don't mind the sharingan at all. Personally, I though that was probably one of Kishimoto's more clever concepts, and I looooove the way Kakashi uses it to his advantage, i.e. Zabuza. He used it for the basic copying techniques, but from there he calculated EXACTLY what Zabuza might do next to make it look like he was reading minds. That was all made cunning and being insanely good at reading people, not some "Lookie! My sharingan is teh shit!"

What I DON'T like about the sharingan is that it's got the ability to morph into Sue-like abilities... such as that whole bleeding eye thing Itachi and Sasuke can do. Now, if ALL of the doujutsu (like the byakugan) could do that, then I would accept it as canon. However, since there's no sign that any of the others really can... It's irritating.

And I would vote Kiba to die there. Poor Akamaru would be absolutely depressed... but he's the one out of the three that I could tolerate losing.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

You COULD, in a way, look at the 4-page fight sequences for Sakura and Tsunade as a compliment to their abilities.


True. It's also competant storytelling, which 99% of training sequences in Naruto aren't. (Although after having read Bleach, I am feeling much more positive about Naruto in general.)

Personally, I though that was probably one of Kishimoto's more clever concepts, and I looooove the way Kakashi uses it to his advantage, i.e. Zabuza. He used it for the basic copying techniques, but from there he calculated EXACTLY what Zabuza might do next to make it look like he was reading minds. That was all made cunning and being insanely good at reading people, not some "Lookie! My sharingan is teh shit!"


*nods* Agreed. The way Kakashi uses it, mixes in his own jutsus, and is shown as having things the Sharingan can't do or times when it doesn't help make it a really awesome power.

I have to admit though, I remember realizing that Sasuke had ripped off moves Lee had worked for YEARS to get and been like, '....BASTARD! *sakura punch*'

Now, if ALL of the doujutsu (like the byakugan) could do that, then I would accept it as canon. However, since there's no sign that any of the others really can... It's irritating.


Yeah, I want to see the Byakugan's super secret top level Sue-like powers! (...of sex!)

And I also vote Kiba for the chopping block.

[nimblnymph.livejournal.com]

See, here's my take on Bleach vs. Naruto:

Naruto starts slow and rather crappy... but it gets better. The better starts once Sasuke actually DECIDES to go with Orochimaru. That was one of those, "YOU DUMB ASS! WHY ARE YOU MAKING SUCH A STUPID DECISION?!?!?!" moments.

Bleach started amazing and excellently done... but it gets crappy. The crap starts when it suddenly becomes The Orihime Show, i.e. when she goes to Hueco Mundo. I know why she did it, though I think she was a bit of an idiot for thinking that way, and I do like the fact that everyone's on board to save her. What I DON'T like is how she's suddenly, "Look! I've got Sue powers!"... and also how completely incompetent everyone is in saving her. Seriously, Ichigo.. You do NOT need to whip your dick out every five seconds to prove its bigger than everyone elses. It's not. No amount of male enhancement fighting is gonna change that. You were OWNED by freakin' Ulquiorra, damn it! OWNED, I say. As in, Ulquiorra stripped you naked, pounded your ass without lube, put you in a Little Bo Peep costume and called you Sally for the rest of the day. THAT kind of owned.

And I don't even wanna talk about Rukia. It makes me cranky and when I get cranky I do things like rant... *points to above*

And yes, what you said about how there are times where Kakashi CAN'T use the sharingan is exactly right. What makes a "special ability" awesome is the fact that it DOES have limitations. Sasuke's doesn't really seem to, other than the fact that he's going blind. And, to be honest, I really hope he does. It'd be a nicely ironic thing; he was blinded by his desire to become powerful and kill his brother, and in the process he actually DOES go blind.

You know... the Byakugen can see chakra channels and such. That would be a veeeery interesting thing to play with.

Poor Kiba. I feel bad about saying he can die, but he really can. He's the expendable character here. Just so long as his dog doesn't die though.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Naruto starts slow and rather crappy... but it gets better.

Yes.

And honestly, I haven't even gotten to the stuff that you mention. Although you description of Itchigo getting owned was wintastic.

And I don't even wanna talk about Rukia. It makes me cranky and when I get cranky I do things like rant... *points to above*

Now I'm morbidly curious. Don't worry about spoilers, I highly doubt I'm going to read it ever again.

And wouldn't you say that killing Kiba yet leaving his dog alive is the cruller punishment?

[nimblnymph.livejournal.com]

Where are you at right now in Bleach? From some earlier comments, I thought you were a little further into than what I thought...

My thing with Rukia is how she comes out saying, "See? Stronger than you thought, Ichigo. I do NOT need you to save me." (in a way) but in Hueco Mundo... damn it, she's all weak and such. Once in there, Ichigo has to go save her AGAIN, though it DOES sort of say something when he puts the rescue of Orihime on hold in favor of bailing Rukia out. *grins* I like Ichigo/Orihime... but I love Ichigo/Rukia. And I adore one-sided Ichigo/Orihime.

Plus, Kubo is so inconsistent with Rukia's strength. It's stated that she had the ability to be a seated officer, but because Byakuya pulled some strings to insure she NEVER became seated (to protect her) she can't. And during the fight where Grimmjow first makes his appearance... way to own one of the Espada, Rukia! *cheers* But then she goes back to being helpless in Hueco Mundo. *growls irritably* At least Matsumoto owned something fierce in the recent chapters.

Yes, I would. But I can just see Kiba's sister and Akamaru sort of comforting each other in a way. That and I can't bring myself to ever kill a dog. Like in the movie Legend? Yeah... I was more upset over his dog potentially getting killed than I was about him.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Ishida just had his fight with crazy scientist shinigami (which ended in a draw in Quincy's favor) and I immediately stopped reading to preserve the illusion that Bleach is the Ishida and Orimhime save the world with their brains and sewing skills and judicious use of BAD ASS FORCE.

Yeah, it makes NO SENSE for Rukia to be portrayed as as weak as she sometimes is. It's enfuriating. And the whole thing about the spiritual force of what's-his-name almost making her faint when he left was moronic.

That said, Ichigo/Rukia has it's moments that GET me. Like, on the bridge? It was dripping with OTP-ness.

Like in the movie Legend? Yeah... I was more upset over his dog potentially getting killed than I was about him.

From what I hear, everyone was.

[nimblnymph.livejournal.com]

Ichigo/Rukia is one of my OTPs in this series because i do feel like they compliment each other very well. She knows how to get him to snap out of a funk and he knows how to push her buttons.

During that part of the manga, I understand why Rukia was weaker than she should have been. My number one love in the series, Urahara, is responsible for that. In the second part, she has this really great scene where Ichigo's all like, "I'll protect you!" And she's like, "Bitch, step aside. It's MY turn to show YOU what I can do." And then she gets to own the Arrancar with her very pretty zanpaku-to.

She gets more fight scenes later too, but then... she needs rescuing. Again. *sighs* All my excitement over bad ass Rukia vanished then. Thank God Yoruichi is still around, though you don't see much of her in the Hueco Mundo scenes. But if I ever switched teams, it'd be because of her.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

She gets more fight scenes later too, but then... she needs rescuing. Again. *sighs* All my excitement over bad ass Rukia vanished then

And it's hearing stuff like that that make me want to stay far, far away from the rest of Bleach.

[nimblnymph.livejournal.com]

... yes, but that's just one hiccup in the story. Naruto's just as full of hiccups, yet we still persevere. And trust me, there's enough awesomeness later with Rangiku Matsumoto to make up for that slight to Rukia's character.


But I'll want to send those links until you're ready for them.

Re: Ninja gender ratios

[tobu-ishi.livejournal.com]

NOW HEAR THIS, KISHIMOTO. NOW HEAR THIS.

It would make me insanely happy to see, someday, a genin team consisting of two girls and a boy. You don't even have to make one of the girls the defacto leader. I realize these things are difficult for you, so I'm starting my request out small. Two girls. One boy.

(Or, if logic were to be followed, three girls, because after all those 1:2 teams, where are the leftover girls hiding? But again, this may be too much to expect all at once.)

THAT IS ALL.

Re: Ninja gender ratios

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Kishimoto did.

They were high ranking Cloud nins and it looked like they were going to be fighting with Sasuke's team, and then Kishimoto forgot about them.

Re: Ninja gender ratios

[tobu-ishi.livejournal.com]

Pah.

Allow me to rephrase. I would be insanely happy to see a speaking, supporting role genin team etc.... >.>

Re: Ninja gender ratios

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Word.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Yeah, most of these artist are pretty popular.

AGREED. I just watched the first half of season 3 of Naruto, and we had to watch THREE episodes of Naruto learning how to summon a frog? 2, I'd get, but three?

That is why I read that manga. I was trying to find this one scene I loved animated, and I had to fast forward through about six episodes before they got through the two chapters that they needed to.