We’re going back to Book 1 for a bit…and yes, this is a shameless Sokkla ship tease. First of several more to come ¯_(ツ)_/¯
In the original show, Zuko disarms Sokka with brute force in their first meeting. For some reason, I’d expect Azula would prefer something similar to Jiu Jitsu when not using her bending.
I want to change the world I won’t hesitate again. If I can shape a future with you, then I can fly anywhere.
Gladiator’s Fifth Anniversary
And so, we reach the final artwork. God, all this was so much work…
I really wanted these to be some of the best weeks of the year for me, regrettably I bumped into a few problems that didn’t thrill me so much. Granted that the work itself was its own reward in many ways but I still had hoped these would become some of my most popular artworks, considering how much I’ve improved. But alas, I know how much better I’ve gotten and I know several of you appreciate that, too, so that knowledge will have to please me for now.
I’m very grateful to everyone who supported me through the anniversary, both with moral support and with likes or reblogs. I had several low points here, but I’m hoping things will start to look less bleak in the near future.
The song chosen this time is one of my childhood openings, one I hadn’t revisited in forever. Going by the direction the story takes once Part 1 wraps up, it felt like a great song to embody the feeling of heading into Part 2 with these two in the best place they had ever been in. The relationship between them was complicated and turbulent, but once they found their way there was just no stopping them.
This artwork features what I’d consider the core cast of Gladiator, though of course, Azula and Sokka are the central characters through and through. For the first time I’ve featured Aang, Katara and Kino in the Fifth Anniversary artworks (I kinda felt I owed it to them, poor kids were left on the sidelines xD), the rest of the group should be apparent (from the top, clockwise: Katara, Kino, Zuko, Suki, Ty Lee, Mai, Haru, Rui Shi, Song, Aang and Toph). It should be great to one day bring as many of these characters together as I can (I’m not going to promise anything… some characters may need to evolve in different directions than others, sadly), but for now, we have an artwork to fulfill that wish. So yep, this is just a Part 1 closure artwork, giving Azula and Sokka a nice send off into their happy, bright future together.
If I find it in me to bring out the willpower I’m not sure I have, I may just rehash this event, with Part 2 arcs, on the Sixth Anniversary. I do need a good recovery period, though: three art softwares later and a few too many hand pains, I’m not exactly feeling like working this much again xD but at least this was what a Fifth Anniversary deserved, as far as I can tell.
A lot of crazy things are coming our way in this story, as anyone who’s kept up would know. There’s plenty of strife and struggle, but for now… there are a lot more good times to come than bad. I am hoping that by this time next year we’ll at least be wrapping up Part 2… naturally, I can’t promise as much, but I certainly do hope so, seeing as I’ve increased the update and writing rate.
I do hope you enjoyed the art onslaught. Despite the bad times I’ve had to endure once in a while, I really have enjoyed these five years as best as I could. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve changed a lot, and while there’s much more for me to learn, I’m hoping I’ll continue to do so in however many more years Gladiator has left ahead of itself.
Thanks to everyone who has stuck around for that long, so sorry for the disappointment to everyone who has jumped off this ride for whatever reasons they did, and thanks again to those who are new but eager to enjoy it. I hope Gladiator has meant something to you guys, for it has meant so much to me. Knowing it matters to anyone is enough to put a smile on my face, guaranteed. And… I guess all that is left for me to say is happy birthday to my fickle, beloved child-fic. My life would certainly be a lot lousier if it weren’t for Gladiator.
The song this time is entirely @focusas‘s fault. I admit I had a lot of songs that worked to inspire me while I worked on this, but he just HAD to suggest the song that propelled me into yet another insane obsession of mine :’D I admit I’m grateful, though, very much so.
What even needs to be said? 96 chapters of build up had to lead to an explosive resolution. If I hadn’t been working with these two maybe it wouldn’t have been that explosive, but alas, they’re just too passionate and wild, and thus, 97 is a major highlight in the story for obvious reasons. (also, I know you all feel that way too, okay? The view count doesn’t lie, you’re all as hopeless as I am, rereading that one so many times… xD)
Naturally, the lead-up, meaning, Sokka vs. Toph again, had to be in this artwork. I am growing increasingly fascinated by drawing Sokka from behind in action art too, I don’t know why he looks so badass but he just does. Very pleased with how he turned out. By now, Iroh is openly antagonistic again, and Ozai’s ironically more smug than ever. The irony being right above him, of course: his perfect daughter is betraying his trust in the worst way he can possibly imagine… and while I love Ozai because of all the reasons I’ve explained in the past, I find some sort of devious pleasure in keeping him in the dark about Azula’s secret. It’s just… so much fun to make fun of him for it?
Anyhow, I’m pleased with it. I hope it’s not too over the top, it is the first time I’ve pulled off something from chapter 97, so at least I can take pride on that. I’ll just hope it isn’t too NSFW for your tastes…
Countdown: 2 days to Gladiator’s Fifth Anniversary
As I mentioned, there had to be two different artworks for these two arcs even if they’re well tied together. But there was just so much to add that… yep. It only made sense this way.
The song I linked this time basically inspired the dance scene… which, if you watched the Lake House, should be easy to understand. Of course, Sokka and Azula can’t behave themselves as I write them, so what should have been a solemn kind of dance became a completely ridiculous one instead where neither one could stop laughing :’D still, the scene is as they’re gazing at each other, in their ship-typical almost-kiss (seriously, I’ve never seen a ship with more almost-kisses than this one and that’s saying something!).
This is also another thematic kind of artwork, rather than an overlap of scenes. Toph’s got her back towards the making-out Zuki because she’s got to look ominous, considering she caused Zuko to talk to his father (and we all know how that turned out). Ozai’s first appearance in these artworks isn’t exactly mindblowing… but welp, I hadn’t found another arc where he worked, so here we go. With a smug smile because all is going according to keikaku.
Iroh at the corner seems to be a little bothered by something, I guess? It’s meant to be more of a portrayal of his reaction to Azula’s ceremony (yes, it’s from the other artwork, but what can I tell ya…), which is where he started to feel uneasy about his niece all over again. And of course, Zhao had to be here… with his psycho smirk. If you’re confused about what’s going on with Zhao in the story, don’t worry, so am I! For a bland and cardboard villain, this guy can certainly be more complex than that if you try a little harder. I know he’s currently being glared at because of how observant he’s being… I suppose he deserves that, huh?
At any rate… you all know what’s coming tomorrow, don’t you? :’D
Fanwright 