Issue 11: Thoughts on Mariko’s design?

[Maka]

Dear UYDers,

It’s been a while since we have seen Mariko. It seems
To me that her look has changed. Because Stan provides some flashbacks in this issue we can see a younger version versus an older version of her. And a very young version of all three characters in their youth (such a fun story).

Anyways, I wanted to get your take on her current look. Something about it didn’t seem to fit (that might be too harsh sounding). She seems younger than Usagi. Less matching cartoon style? Maybe it’s because her neck is very thin in comparison to other characters? Maybe it is the introduction of color that I’m not used to seeing Mariko in?

But after a while, I just got into the story and her look didn’t bother me. It was just interesting to note that I critical of her design at first.

I’ve been enjoying these new issues a lot. Interested to here your thoughts and reactions.

Peace, maka

[Gaffey]

Sorry, I haven't picked up 11 yet so I can't comment on her current design.

Has Stan posted any scans of his pages before coloring? I'd love to see a before and after. I still miss reading Usagi in black and white.

This is the Mariko I know and love.

[Maka]

I don’t remember seeing the Mariko. Nice!

[Angilasman]

Has Stan ever talked about his thought process behind completely redesigning Katsuichi-sensei? I mean, he was fiddling with the design from the beginning, but then he doesn't appear for a while and when he finally reappears his look was totally overhauled.

I mean, I get it. The redesign is a much stronger interpretation of an important character.

[maichan]

Sounds like I'll have to make a point of picking up my comics this week, because now you guys have got my curiosity piqued.

[Gaffey]

Has Stan ever talked about his thought process behind completely redesigning Katsuichi-sensei?

Not that I know of. Gen is the only character I remember Stan reworking before the new series. I thought there was a thread discussing it, but I can't find it.

Maybe it was on Facebook.

[Angilasman]

^ Katsuichi redesign was in the '90s. Maybe it was addressed in the letters page?

I'm not on Facebook. What was the gist of Stan's thoughts on changing Gen's look?

[maichan]

I forgot to reply to this earlier.

So my thoughts on Mariko... her appearance really didn't hit me until Maka mentioned it. When was the last time we saw her? I guess when Usagi went back home and we had all the Jotaro stories? I'll have to go back and look to see how Mariko appeared then. Otherwise, here's what I think... how can I say this nicely, without sounding sexist... she's older, and has matured. In the human world, older girls/younger women tend to still have what we'd call their "baby fat". Then as they mature they lose that baby fat, and maybe as they age even more they might tend to fill out again. Also, without having read the new story arc yet, but having looked through it, I'm guessing maybe she's more stressed out, and that might lead to her being thinner. So all in all, it's part of the aging process.

Either that or Stan's style has just changed.

I still have a harder time with Kenichi's colorization. I've always imagined him a much lighter hue, because even in b&w, brown should have registered as a shade of gray (grey for those of you in the UK). But the lack of any grayscale in his rendering left me thinking he was white, gray, beige, yellow (think of Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh)., or some other light color.

It's interesting how we each have our own perceptions of characters looks, or even the way they sound.

[maichan]

^ Katsuichi redesign was in the '90s. Maybe it was addressed in the letters page?

I'm not on Facebook. What was the gist of Stan's thoughts on changing Gen's look?

In general I think it's all just part of Stans evolution in style. Look at how Usagi has changed over the years. So for me, the same is to be expected of the other characters.

The same thing has occurred with Mike Mignola's Hellboy - much different now than when he was first created.

It might be neat to do some side-by-side drawing comparisons of Usagi and other characters through the years.

[Angilasman]

^ Of course, but Katsuichi's redesign was extreme. The original design wasn't modified over time; at a certain point Stan started from scratch.

[maichan]

^ Of course, but Katsuichi's redesign was extreme. The original design wasn't modified over time; at a certain point Stan started from scratch.

I'll have to go back and look. I personally don't recall it being that extreme. Which issues/stories did it occur in. What was the last old look and first new look?

[Angilasman]

I'm at work now, so I'm going off memory, but I believe after the Fantagraphics period Katsuichi didn't appear for a while and it was into the Dark Horse years when his new look appeared.

[maichan]

Yeah, I mean I recall him being shorter and more squat in the beginning, but then most of the characters were. We saw Usagi gradually change as Stan's style progressed, but since Katsuichi wasn't in every story, there was probably a more drastic change in his appearance, making it more obvious. I might be one of the few fans that like the character's current looks much better than the cute furry animals that they were in the beginning.

[Gaffey]

It might be neat to do some side-by-side drawing comparisons of Usagi and other characters through the years.

I thought Mayhem put together a Through the Years of Usagi sketches, but I have no idea where it would be.

[maichan]

It might be neat to do some side-by-side drawing comparisons of Usagi and other characters through the years.

I thought Mayhem put together a Through the Years of Usagi sketches, but I have no idea where it would be.

You should know that! Okay, that's one demerit for you!