Adventures in Japan! Part 5: Tokyo

The final stop on our journey was Tokyo.  Our first mission was to check out the Ghibli Museum.  If you love Studio Ghibli films, then this is a very charming place to visit.  A life sized Totoro greets you at the entrance.  Inside, you can watch a Ghibli short film, exclusive only to visitors of the museum.  See concept art from your favorite Ghibli movies, sit inside a life sized cat bus, and stand next to a life sized robot from "Laputa: Castle in the Sky."

"Balse"

My favorite part of the museum is an amazing 3D zoetrope.  Tiny sculptures of Ghibli characters in a progression of poses are placed in a circle and then spun around quickly while a light strobes, giving the illusion of movement.  Girls are jumping rope while bats fly around and Totoro's friends disappear and reappear... it's quite amazing and I urge you to see it with your own eyes!

Our next stop was Akihabara, "The Electric City," and the Mecca for hardcore otaku.  We navigated through various anime themed stores and eventually found some great treasures.  Zer07 got himself some One Piece figurines and I got a One Piece stuffed animal that I've been wanting for a while:

Chopper!!  My favorite One Piece character.

After Akihabara, we met with some friends for shabu shabu in Shinjuku.  On our last day of fun, we met with some of my old friends from ninja animation school at Asakusa.

Kaminari Mon

Agemanjuu - Deep fried sweet bean pastries

Later, we explored Harajuku and were amused by the interesting use of English on shirts and signs:

Then we ended the evening with dinner in Shibuya.

What a fun adventure we had!!!  I can't wait to visit the homeland again soon.

If you missed them, be sure to check out the other parts in our Adventures in Japan series:
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Figure Drawing: Fun with Dr. Sketchy

Shiro Ninja, sanjou!  Earlier this week, Zer07 and I went to another productive figure drawing session.  Lately we've been going to "Dr. Sketchy's" figure drawing sessions, which is quite fun and at times a little risque.  The models are sometimes dressed in silly costumes ranging from bondage to chipmunk costumes, and are gradually encouraged by the Master of Ceremonies to undress.  There are contests like, "who can draw the best penis," with prizes given away throughout the night.  It's a relaxing and silly atmosphere.  The models are great, and I always feel inspired at these sessions.  Check out our sketches from this week:

Shiro Ninja:  Top left and bottom left - 5minute sketches.  Right - 10 minute sketch.

Shiro Ninja:  Top left - 10 min.  Top right - 15 min.  Bottom - 20 min.

Zer07:  Top left - 5 min.  Top right and bottom sketches - 2 min.

Zer07:  5 minute sketches

Until next time... Ninja smoke bomb!!!

3d to 2d workflow - "Use the Tools"

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Making of:

 

(For the previous post about this process click here)