Hi! My name is K.D., although most online know me as misachan83. I'm 32, and am an author and anime lover. Welcome to the shadows of my creative and sometimes odd mind

Interesting Developments and Annoying Things

So it seems there's been a lot going on lately between the changes with the O and the art thieves. Honestly, I've been feeling a bit out of commission lately, although I've been trying hard to fight it. There's just been a lot going on right now in my personal life that I've been trying to keep to myself, and it's been eating me lately. But I thought it would be nice to talk about that stuff anyway, now that I can make myself (depression is just an awful demon at times).

All right, so first off, I do admit that when I first saw the changes to the O, it did concern me. A piece of me is still a bit concerned, but I'm also hoping that the coming changes will be positive for our little community. I really don't have many contacts other than here, but if you'd like my email just in case, I will send it to you in a message. I do have a DA account, but I really don't use it. I'm considering doing a little tiny website for my art and writing at this time, but I haven't gotten around to completely saying that I will.

On another note, I'm quite peeved at the art thieves that I've been seeing a lot of lately. I've been reporting the works, but they unfortunately haven't been able to be taken down yet. For those of you who have been following such things, you know the two that I'm talking about. One is spamming the fanart, and the other is now spamming the wallpapers big time (I reported two of her wallpapers over a month ago, but she's still at it and they still haven't been removed sadly). Let me just have my say about such a thing, as everyone else has. Art theft is low and very offensive. We as artists work very, very hard on what we make, and it's awful when someone steals something and so blatantly claims it. Most of us have experienced such things at one point or another, including myself, and as artists we don't tolerate it here and will report it when we see it. I doubt any of them will read this, but I wanted to say it.

All right, so now that I've gotten that out of the way, I also wanted to take a moment to tell everyone how much I enjoy being here. Everyone here has always been great friends, and I love seeing all of the different kinds of artwork that everyone does. No matter what, I intend to stick with the O, and hopefully it will be for years to come. You all are wonderful

Wow

Wow, I actually finished the rough draft of my current book's manuscript in just five days. I can't believe I managed to do that. The last shortest time it took me was literally three weeks. I'm feeling rather happy about that one. Now comes the hard part of editing through it and doing add ins and checks. That's probably gonna take longer... *sighes*

Also came on here this morning to have a feature on the "My December" wallpaper. Who knew that one would happen? To be honest about it, I almost scrapped that wallpaper last night because I'd been struggling with it for a while now. It was actually really hard to make it come together. In short, having that happen was a nice boost in confidence when I really needed it. That's what I love so much about the O. Good friends who support you and every now and then a little bit extra

Yep, I'm Still Here

I just love this image

Hey everybody. Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but there's been different things going on in my life right now that's made it a little busy. Actually, some sad things recently that have me a bit shook up. My uncle passed away Sunday from cancer He was also my Godfather, and I was close to him, even though we didn't get to speak that much in recent years. He ended up going pretty quick, so it was a blessing that he didn't suffer much, but it still hurt pretty bad.

On another note, my computer's been acting up a little too. The one I'm using for now is old, considering my newer one crashed from the Windows 10 upgrade forced on it. For whatever reason, this one gets really hot in the keyboard and mouse pad at times, so it can be a pain to make things or write at times. It's not terribly frequent, but does happen. I've checked the fan and everything, but can't find out why it does this. Oh well. Beggars can't be choosers, and I'll have to put up with it.

On the flip side, my wallpaper challenge is ending soon, and I've seen some great entries. It's gonna be really hard to choose. It's been fun though to see everyone's picks. I'm gonna be entering some drawing challenges myself soon too. I just need to find time right now to sit and draw. I already know at least one character I'm gonna do for "A Pleasant Surprise" challenge too. Like I said, it's finding time where I can draw in peace (haha). I'm still thinking about what to do for "The Otaku MMORPG ". I'll get there eventually. It just takes me some time when it comes to those kinds of things.

Either way, I still live, I just haven't been able to be that active right now. Hopefully I'll get back on track soon. Till then, hope everyone's having a good summer!

A quick post :)

For your cuteness viewing pleasure

Hello again everyone! I hope everybody had a nice fourth of July. Ours was okay, although it was rained out and our fireworks have been moved to tonight. We saw some on TV though, so that's okay. Guess we'll get a double dose (haha).

So we've just begun a heat wave here, and I can't say that I like it that much. When you have two kids, cabin fever is a given with this stuff *sighs*. It's been a bit better for me though, considering I've been going through a pretty bad depressive spell lately. Hopefully this means that I'm finally trying to come out of it. It really sucks on so many levels to go through that stuff.

In other news, I've finally been able to start looking at some new anime series. Well, new for me in that I haven't seen them yet. I'm currently in the middle of the first season of Free!, and I have to say that I really like it more than I thought I would. I'm usually not one for a sport oriented anime, but the characters and backstory have really drawn me in, and I can't wait to start watching season 2. I'm gonna try to check out Gurren Lagann soon too (if I can find the episodes online, cause sometimes that's a challenge with some anime for some odd reason). Any other suggestions for my 'to watch' list? I'd love to hear some

Anyway, like I said, I hope everyone had a nice holiday. I also am excited to see the entries so far for my new challenge, although I'm really hoping to see more wallpaper challenges pop back up. It's more fun when you have things like that to do around here.

Anime Review: Shiki

Eyes of a Vampire: Shiki Style

So I've been considering doing another anime review (the last one was kind of fun to write), and I decided to go ahead and do one for Shiki. This anime doesn't seem to be as known as other vampire titles, so I felt like it deserves a good mention.

Shiki originally started out as a novel written by Fuyumi Ono. A manga version was adapted from 2007 to 2011, and the anime was made in 2010. The anime itself is twenty two episodes long, and has the odd distinction of having two 1/2 episodes for numbers twenty and twenty one (20.5 and 21.5). These were actually done for OVA as fillers for some of the minor characters, and I will admit that they were quite effective at adding to the overall story. The series is currently released in the U.S. through Funimation in an eight disc, BluRay and DVD bundle (the price is quite afforable too).

To start off, Shiki is a vampire story (Shiki literally translates to Corpse Demon) that is set in a tiny, isloated village in the mountains of Japan. The village, Sotoba, only has 1300 residents, and everyone seems to know everyone there. The trouble starts when the few residents in one of the most isolated areas are found dead. Although the circumstances seem a bit strange, because of their age it is believed that perhaps they succumbed to the heat of the summer. However, strange deaths soon begin plaguing the village after mysterious new residents move into an area overlooking it that the villagers call Kanemasa. It's noted that they moved into the newly build English manor looking house in the middle of the night as well.

Shiki features many different characters, though some stand out more than others. Among these characters is Natsuno Koide-Yuuki, a teenage boy who moved to Sotoba the year before with his parents. Natsuno hates life there, and desperately wants to leave and never return once he can get into a university. Unfortunately for him, he's pulled right into the middle of the vampire invasion (so to speak), after the girl who has a die hard crush on him begins stalking him (She was one of the first vampire deaths and 'rebirths'). After believing that he's dreamed of her appearing in the room of his best friend Tohru Mutou, Natsuno is stunned when Tohru suddenly dies a few days later. After investigating more though, and learning the truth, he is targeted by the vampires to be gotten rid of, along with the two other kids that learn the truth as well.

Two other stand out characters of the village are the town's main doctor, Toshio Ozaki, and the Junior Monk, Seshin Muroi. It's with these characters that the lines between right and wrong seem to blur slightly, and I feel like this really gives Shiki's story a good edge that you don't see much in the genre. While a lot of vampire stories tend to either glorify or denounce vampires, Shiki takes it a step further in making the viewer question just what it means to be human and be alive. While I'll stop short of giving anything away, I will say that the turning point of the humans learning that the vampires are real and the reason that so many are dying becomes rather gut wrenching at times, not to mention the feelings of those who have been turned.

As for art, I find Shiki to be made up of a very unique style. Each character seems to have their own unique look to them, which many times seems to be unusual in anime, if that makes sense. Yet, it's very easy to feel like they all fit in this world, and gives the anime a bit more of a realistic feeling (Hopefully that all makes sense)

Perhaps my favorite part of Shiki though is the vampires and the initial reactions to their presence appearing in the village. In fact, when the series first starts amping up, Ozaki and the other medical professionals believe that it may be a new epidemic, and even though they go through many medical terms and thoughts, they just can't quite piece it all together. The vampires themselves fit many legends well, although they do have a small distinction with some that I won't give away. They hypmotize their victims so that they might continue to come for their blood, they cannot enter a residence unless invited, and only die from sunlight or being staked through the heart. One of the most memorable moments in the anime has to due with Dr. Ozaki learning of their weaknesses from experimenting on his own turned wife (again, be warned that although not really graphic per say, these scenes might stay with you for a long time).

To be honest, I think gut wrenching describes some of the final episodes the best. Again, while it's not overly graphic, it's also not for the faint of heart due to the violence of some of it.

All in all, I find Shiki to be a hidden gem in the world of horror anime, and recommend it to those who enjoy a good vampire story. It's available to watch online and be purchased ( as I mentioned). Hope you all liked my second ever review

Trailer Here: