Simoun ended last week. I’ve had this entry half-written since back then, and I thought I’d better finish it off. Yeah, I know, I’m totally late for this. Been too busy watching all the new anime starting this week, and the rest of my spare time was spent reading the first of the Crest of the Stars novels.
Overall, I’d say it wasn’t a terrible ending, but unfortunately it didn’t give quite enough closure. Some threads are left dangling, and while we can tie up a few, there are others which can’t be resolved. A rather unorganised thought-dump follows. If not immediately obvious, this comes with a large spoiler warning.
Continue reading ‘Simoun - Final Thoughts’
I am fucking DONE. Finally. This trace took an absolute ton of fucking around and finding out just how shitty Illustrator is. The vector got so complicated (nearly 200 layers, and I estimate close to 500 paths) that Illustrator started to hang while saving. Had to disable the PDF compatibility in the file to stop it bloating to 4-5mb and choking illustrator to death. That’s a pleasure I wish to keep for myself. 
Anyway, here’s the ‘base’ version:
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I’ve also prepared some special versions, one recreating the original eyecatch and the other a sepia version of the same. Sorry about the shitty chain on the pendant, I wanted to do it quickly. 1920×1200 only, sorry 1600×1200 users. This one just won’t look right with bits chopped off either side to get it into 4:3.
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As I said I would, I recoloured Mamiina. Mainly I was trying to improve the colour vibrancy and get rid of the jaundiced tinge she had to her skin.
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EDIT: Also re-did Kaimu. Still debating whether to re-colour Alti.
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EDIT2: Recoloured Alti too
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Are there any others that need the colours fixed?
I am DONE with the single-character eyecatches (assuming no one has a massive desire for a side character like Vyura). There’s a few of the group shots that I want to do as well, and there may be more material in screencaps as well, as well as the final four episodes. I’m taking suggestions though, tending towards the eyecatches. Don’t know which group shot I’ll do first.
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Side note: I removed the plastic bag from her lollipop, it looked awful when I traced it.
EDIT: I am probably going to re-colour a few of the girls at some stage. Kaimu’s colour is all washed out, Alti looks like a corpse, and Mamiina’s yellowish skin tone makes her look like a wax statue. 
Another trace done. Hoping to have time to start on Limone tomorrow, and get her done in the next few days. Then I’ll have done everyone, and I can start thinking about some of the pair / group shots. Yay. This one actually traced up quite nicely, and as I did it the image kind of grew on me too.
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EDIT: Fixed hair. Thanks, Hikago.
