Quote:I'd been thinking that part of the fun with her would be that, when she's in uniform and playing nice, there's -nothing- to give away that she's not just J. Random Schoolgirl. Which means normal skin tone and black hair. And I didn't want to suggest the braid just because I happen to really like that style (for good reasons, since I basically wear it myself) and am... predisposed to include it -everywhere-. Which, of course, means that yes, I approve.
Speaking of charactrers... has anyone been seing Tsuchi as anything but a redhead? It seems like the tough gals always are, or at least reddish-brown haired, the only immediate exceptions I can think of being Hakubi Ryoko and Tendo Akane... and despite what some say, Akane's quite girly when not in the grip of her temper. I admit, my own amage of her is pretty much Midori from the video game Evil Zone plus a waist-length braid and a darker tan, but that's because I really like Midori. (In short - red hair, green eyes, maroon sport-shorts and denim vest with torn edges, white tank top under vest, black All Stars, black fingerless gloves.) I vote to give her dark blue, violet, or green hair instad, just to be different, but keep the walnut-brown, deep tan and fashion sense.
Actually, the one I'd been seeing the shocking hair color on would be Keiu, who I'd put as your classic ultra-petite (although it might be kinda shocking-fun to make her a bit zaftig, or tall and powerful like Sakaki), with hair colored the same shade as her feathers (she -is- a tropical type, -right-?) and falling a little past her shoulders... That length because I don't think I've ever seen an anime character with just middling-long hair. Short, yes - Kanna, Ami, Sumire. Long, yes - Sakura, Makoto, Michiru. Very long, yes - Minako, Rei, another Sakura. Ultra long, even, yes - Usagi and Setsuna. But never to just between the shoulder blades, which I've seen a -lot- in real life.
The other major character design feature I'd been thinking on would be that, before the series started, each of the four main characters would have at least fifteen complete everyday street outfits already designed - it'd cost more for the animation, I guess, but I think that it's the little details like that that make or break shows.
Other commandments -
(possibly a rider on five) Thou shalt recall that gender roles do not limit ass-kicking potential, and thus realise that the damsel can easily resue herself.
Thou shalt recall that the villians do not see themselves as such, and that, as the heroes of their own stories, they play to win.
Thou shalt not kill a major character without just compensation to the audience, but neither shall you provide them with script immunity.
Thou shalt provide a plot for both series and episode which contains a discernable and satisfying beginning, middle, and end. (I'm talking to -you-, Hideaki!)
Ja, -n
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"V, did you do something foolish?"
"Yes, and it was glorious."