For the people following RK: Yeah, this is a ‘heavy’ chapter, though it does lighten up toward the end. But more controversial are all the seemingly out-of-left-field revelations coming out this chapter. It probably looks like I’m pulling all of this stuff out of my (utility belt), and it is true, the ‘switcheroo’ of Kenji and Kami’s ages is a relatively new development. Last-minute, even. And it directly contradicts the established profiles (not to mention years of non-canon sources like the MSTings, though those are chock full of outdated information already.)
Ugh, I said ‘canon.’
It isn’t necessarily for a lack of planning; I just keep a hell of a broad plan in place. And in this case, how the white dragon’s crystal got inside his body originally was that he would somehow get his little-kid hands on the revolver and the crystal magically leapt from the grip right into his chest. Something about that explanation always felt a little flimsy, and I could never really think of a decent execution for the scene. The new version: His mother stashed the crystal inside his eggshell before he hatched. (Yes, hatched, the kids are half dragons. Check off another cliche if you’re cynical.) I suppose I could go back and change it so they both hadn’t been born-born yet, other than the fact that older or younger, Kamikaze was helping Ryo keep the past out of his head.
I can conveniently storyboard around the alteration if I need to make the change, so, let’s hear your input; Keep her the screwy little sister, or make her an even more screwed up big sister?
I guess I can’t improv after all!
this is exactly why i’ve been so persistent about fleshing out your story well enough rather than jumping right into illustrating and making it up as you go. oops~
I noted that little hiccup in the ages and mentally just jotted it down as “okay, so Kami’s actually older an acts younger. I guess prior information was just plain wrong.”
Maybe it’s just me, but I tend to give later information in a series precedence over earlier information, on the basis that the later it comes, the more the story is building toward a conclusion and therefore the more important that information actually is. And the fact that it’s coming out of left field is, well, expected – up to this point we didn’t know anything about the backstories of the Randans except for the fact that their parents were dead and that Kenji has the dragon armor.
Ultimately, do it whatever way you feel would be best and easiest. I’m rather liking the chapter, and I appreciate all of the information being laid out now instead of teased out over the course of several unrelated adventures which seem interesting at the time but ultimately just pad the running time. (“Okay, so in the depths of NERV’s compound there’s a… thing… on a cross? I guess that’s supposed to mean something to someone? How long have I been watching this crap?”)
Well, two surprises; people commenting on an RK post, and people who seem to generally support the thread.
Thing is, even though she is older (er, hypothetically) her actual role won’t change; it’s in her character to be childish even if she’s faking it.
I guess the easy way out would be for them to both be eggs at the time. I can do a redraw for Wednesday and get the real new page up for Friday.
Ah yeah, and I don’t WANT this to be heavy and dripping with too much forced angst for too long. It’s more or less the long-awaited ‘why’ some of this stuff is happening.
*points up* what Eva said. Seconded, especially the first paragraph. Although since Ryo’s narrating it, it does make sense that there wouldn’t be a whole lot of actual development.
I kind of liked her as a little sister, but big sister works too, especially if it works better with the plot.
I’m rather fond of heavy stories dripping with plot, so I like this. *thumbs up*
I’ve always loved that part in a series where you see nothing but one out-of-left-field revelation after another. My only complaint would be that things seem a bit rushed, like you could stand to give a few more panels to each character and event.
As far as the sister goes, it’d probably be best to go with the route that makes things less complicated for you. Although if it were up to me, I’d want her to be an “even more screwed up big sister”…with a sexy body.