April 18th, 2010, 8:12PM by nat | 8 comments
The Winter 2009 edition of KEI's gallery paid tribute to Vocaloids and Voiceroids, both young and old alike. And though that's kind of expected from KEI at this point, there were still tidbits from other popular games and series like Toradora and Love Plus all done in the artist's very recognizable style.
KEI's Illustrations Vol. 05 is a full color doujinshi, and 24 pages in length when counting the covers. The paper it's printed on is slightly grainy in texture, and allows to the water-color style that marks KEI's art work to almost bleed into the pages.
Like I mentioned earlier, this volume includes KEI's renditions of the Vocaloids Kaito, Meiko, Black Rock Shooter, and SF-A2 Miki. There is also a newer one pictured (top right) called Kaai Yuki, who is a singing grade school-er with a red randoseru and all. You can check out a sample song of her here. SF-A2 Miki (bottom left) was originally designed by No More Heroes and Speed Grapher character designer Kozaki Yusuke, but she still fits right in with the other Vocaloids in KEI's style.
A couple of illustrations were of mascot characters from Voiceroids, Tsukuyomi Ai and Tsukuyomi Shouta (pictured above). Apparently, they're voice programs that say what you type in childish voices. You can seen an example of Tsukuyomi Ai speaking below. I find them just a little creepy! ^^;
Rozen Maiden, another favorite of KEI's, is also represented in Illustrations Vol. 05 although only Suigintou is featured this time. Also, Rinko from Love Plus gets an illustration along with Yoshino Shimazu from Maria-sama ga Miteru, which seemed a bit random since the series is long gone... Or maybe he's just getting hyped for the live action version :3
While all of the illustrations in the front part of the book are printed full page, towards the end there are three pages of smaller stacked images. They are for the most part online illustrations that weren't intended for print so they were smaller in native resolutions. KEI's Illustrations Vol. 05 really delivers quality work again. This is one of the few doujinshi illustration series that I can still count on to be impressive (and in color!) ^^
- Title: KEI's Illustrations Vol. 05
- タイトル: 画 Vol.05
- Pages: 24 (including covers)
- Release date: 12/31/2009
- Buy: Toranoana
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14 years, 7 months ago
That video is freaking CREEPY! Great/Horrible find!
14 years, 7 months ago
The first picture (Toradora) is just beautiful !
14 years, 7 months ago
KEI's interpretation of Taiga is outstanding! It amazes me to no end how smooth he's capable to adapt / render different (trusted) designs that seem so totally not compatible with his unique style in the end...I mean Taiga! Also the Kaito art convinced me that there's no way around to play catch-up with KEIGarou Doujins (which I've fallen behind during the last few installments of Comike). Thanks a lot for the great write-up nat!
14 years, 7 months ago
The Taiga illustration was my favorite, nice to know it had universal appeal! I completely agree about KEI's designs, they look like they'd fit nothing, and yet when he draws characters we know it just looks awesome :3
14 years, 7 months ago
And the latest proof to that stance on KEI's interpreting/adapting art skills is right located at his HP:http://kei-garou.net/blog/archives/2010/02/post_75.html#more ...Yuki is almost as awesome as Taiga.
Also among the new schedule and exhibitions ART JEUNESS announced this week the debut one for KEI got a date and details: http://www.artjeuness.net/kei201003/Slowly I begin to think that my Japan trip timing is getting worse and worse...
14 years, 7 months ago
o_o
Love that illustration on the Art Jeuness page along with the Yuki one too <3 Thanks for the links, I'll definitely be on the lookout for the gallery pamphlet on Y!J for that exhibit in May!
And don't waiver! Your timing is perfect, you'll get to see all new work from KEI and everyone else at C78, and that can't be beat :3 And maybe you'll even spot the artist himself, though I don't really know how the convention works in real life ^^;
14 years, 7 months ago
I've probably seen Kei's work but never knew who the artist was until now. They look good but there something about the shadowing and dark tones that a turn off for me. Yet I still agree that the Taiga illustration is darn cute.
12 years, 2 months ago
I love this guy. I just bought a pin of Miku Hatsune From "Hot Topic" and it is so cool. My friends will be so impressed