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8-13 — KH2 - Last Reload
Published: 2006-10-09 10:07:41 +0000 UTC; Views: 14002; Favourites: 506; Downloads: 79
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** Image updated as of Anime Boston 2008 **Looks like I'll go first again.
I'm not sure what prompted us to decide upon this scene, exactly.
The setting is right before Xigbar goes to challenge Sora in the World That Never Was, and whether that apparition of Xaldin behind him is an echo of his own memory, or an actual ghost looking out for our wayward eyepatched hero...
I'll leave for U-E to talk about, as I'm normally the one to say the deep stuff. U-E can have it this time.
Technical aspects....
-I hate Xigbar's gun.
-Xaldin's face does not satisfy me. I must have drawn it 30 different times.
So here's Xigbar reloading his snipes whilst Xaldin does his dead-Jedi impersonation.
Our pair here isn't as cannon as Axel & Roxas, or even almost-as-cannon as Xemnas & Saix, or even do the two of them really have much to do with each other seemingly at first. I actually keep forgetting that they have absolutely no interaction in the game at all. But despite that, somehow No. 2 & 3 are totally the duo in my mind anyway. In particular, we tend to think about Xaldin a lot. By now, we probably have thousands of unwritten pages extrapolating on his tragic past, of his existance and non-existance. Here's just a slice of a tangent of an offshoot of our devotion to him. And Xigbar (even being all serious for once) is always a win, even if his gummi-esque laser-ish projectile device is hell in a bad way.
I had a hard time staying focusing while working on it.
It's kinda bittersweet, isn't it?
Well, some people might not think so. Like Sora wouldn't think so.
But he's just a naive serial-killer, so we're not going to pay much attention to his opinion.
We like to stuff such prejudiced people back into their glass avacodos where they can't mindlessly destroy cosmic hopes and dreams far beyond their comprehension, whilst being spoon-fed propaganda that they are doing the "right thing" and saving the worlds.
Yeah. What does he know anyway?
This pic is for the rest of you.
Xaldin and Xigbar (c) Squarenix.
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Comments: 167
Thank you! It came together pretty well, even for being so old...
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Ah, many things. Good question.
Xigbar's expression is slightly different, and his scar shaped more properly. (I thought he looked too young before.) His hair is also more obviously brown-toned, and the white striping is more pronounced. Also fixed up the shape of his boots, Xaldin's has a bit more hair in his ponytail. But most importantly, there is a contrast between the gun and Xig's coat. I really thought it looked lost before.
Anyway, it was pretty cute before, but I think it looks much more cleaned up now.
~U-E
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oh awesome! I have the old one saved on my computer and it's cool to compare. I love it :3
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Come to think of it, I'd like to do some comparing myself. *pondering* I never thought to try that, since all the touch-ups were via U-E.
-sae
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BEAUTIFUL, just beautiful!! >< The posing is awesome and the coloring and shading is amazing!
And.. i totaly agree, Xigbar's Gun Arrows are totally hard to draw! ><
I
Want
To
Stare
At
This
For
Ever!
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Wow!
Although...the subject matter on this one makes it one of our most powerful pieces. *sighs* It still depresses me to think on, to this day. Even though I HATED IT WHILE TRYING TO GET IT DONE. Hell. They just didn't want to cooperate with me. Evil Xigbar. Evil Xaldin. Evil Rifle.
And thankyou!
-Saeru
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xD
I know how you feel. Although, I don't remember any pics I was proud of that I had a really hard time doing... I just suck like that, unable to finish big pictures... I still have a Roxas picture collecting dust in the back of my computer's files... I started to try and finish it, but it didn't work. BUT ANYWAYS!!
No problem. x3
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I feel the same way. e.e I can draw very, very fast. It doesn't take me long to get what I want down on paper. But then EVERYTHING after that takes FOREVER. The cleanup, the inking, thinking of a background, the coloring...
-Saeru
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Cha. I just have problems getting myself to finish things and doing big projects. >< And it sucks because I really need to get better pictures in my darn gallery! ;__; All I really submit are these plain pictures of my OCs, one at a time, usualy. I rarely submit something "good." Although, the people who watch me still like my art, so, it's not that bad... but I just wish i could finish good pictures with awesome backgrounds and stuff. I have sooo many ideas in my ehad but they're all out of my skill reach. ;_; Like this one picture of my OC, Kitsune, standing witb her katana in her hand and a really pretty fall background of a forest and leaves falling. There's more to it. I haven't quite mastered forest backgrounds and leaves yet... but one day I will.
(Geeze, this was kinda long! xD; )
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Keep those images in your head, definitely. I still can't draw half the things I really want to, and I've been at this for years and years, a little at a time. Heck, even when you do get to a level that you're satisfied with, when you go to put something down that should be a certain way most of the time it turns out like something else anyhow...that part of drawing NEVER seems to change. x-x But you'll get there some day...and then the images that are still with you you can draw. So keep holding on to them.^.^
-Sae
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(Wow, for once I'm the one doing the late replying. .__.; )
Thank you so much for the advice! ;u; I'll definately do so.
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Y'know, the naive serial killer thing really is hilarious. But it's true. XD XD
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You'd think he'd get the hint. o.o Smacking black blobby heartless around is one thing, but...isn't it just the least bit strange to be obliterating something that looks like a human being? That still has a soul? They're not soul-less...they're just...lacking hearts. Weird distinction. No wonder Sora didn't get it. *laughs*
-Saeru
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wow, they're so pretty/hot/awesome/w/e u wanna call it
i think i've been transported onto the xaldin/xiggy train
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They make such a dynamic coupling, whether one actually 'couples' them or not. If one thinks of them as friends all the way back through apprenticeships...it seems like they'd pick on each other good-naturedly a lot.
-Sae
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Awesome! It kinda looks like he's thinking, "This one's for you, buddy."
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Yes! Yes! *gives you a cookie* I really like that thought.
-Sae
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Yay! *munches cookie*
You're very welcome!
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Um, yes.
I love this.
The way you drew Xaldin makes me smile... in a sad way...
He looks peaceful//reasuring.
Same with Xigbar.
I love their expressions. :]
Xigbar's gun? Well, I think it looks good.... yes. Along with EVERYTHING else.
Because you guys just rock my toe socks.
*threatening point*
TOE SOCKS.
That is a good thing.
:]
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I always get floored when someone leaves a string of well-thought out comments. So much so that I usually have to stop for a few days and ponder how to reply. ^.^
Thankyou for really taking the time to look at our art...we appreciate that. A lot.
This picture gets to me, even now. I think it sums up most of our feelings about the whole game...that, from the perspective of the Organization, life is a mixture of hope and futility. Alive one moment, and gone the next...
must be very frustrating, even to those without hearts.
Or maybe to those with Toe Socks...? ^.^
~saeru
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:] My pleasure. Your work is really easy to compliment, anyways.
Hmm... I can see that. It kinda makes you fell awful for them. Most times, while browsing throughout different fanarts, they are happy and silly. This fanart was a very nice change, and... sad. But, a good kinda sad. :]
You words are very well thought out... Very insightful. Yay, tender moments.
=]
Oh, yes. Toe socks. You fear them.
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;-; Yes...the ending of KH certainly could have gone better. It makes us very sad.
-Sae
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Poor Organization...
DAMN YOU SORA!!!!
....anyway, I love the pic...
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Thankyou. ^.^
Your hatred has been duly noted!
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...this gives such a sad, profound feel to the whole situation (both of the Organization and of Xigbar specifically)... so terribly sad. :\ I don't have any other words...
..stupid Sora.
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Those are very good words, though. ^.^ Thankyou for taking the time to comment. Even more, recently, its been stressing me out when I realize what Sora is actually guilty of...
Killing heartless is one thing, but the Organization still had their SOULS...and thats a sin in pretty much every religion.
~saeru
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this almost makes me cry <
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Yeah. ;-; It really could have gone better.
~saeru
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gah!!!!!! Beautiful... "Ben... Why didn't you tell me the truth?"
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o.O Putting Xigbar as Luke suddenly really, really scares me.
And amuses me, terribly, at the same time.
~saeru
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Well, I couldn't remember the Yoda quote at the end of Ep. III and I'm a big enough freak to look it up so I went with the one I remembered. Xaldin would have been Qui-Gon. The sideburns would have matched at least...
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Oooh. Yeah, that would make sense. Xaldin seems to be enough of a Star Wars fan with how he talks, as it is. He and Xemnas probably have a secret jedi re-enactment club.
~saeru
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hahahahahahahaha! "No, Xaldin, I am your father."
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Beautiful- And ironic, considering that, technically, they werent hurting anyone.
Just letting Sora hurt folks and exploiting it... Ah well.
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That could be debated...whether it was the Organization that was releasing heartless onto the worlds or whether they were simply appearing because of Sora's presence. I like to think the latter, personally, but then again, the Organization WAS running around turning things into heartless...
STILL, the trivial details aren't important. The spirit of what you're saying is correct, irreguardless. The Organization didn't deserve to die, totally, considering they basically say that they'd be willing to try another option if one was given to them. Given how Sora SO OFTEN goes out of his way to help complete strangers, its almost out of character for him to have been bashing on them. ;-; Highly ironic, indeed.
~saeru
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True. I think the only reason Sora killed thema t all is they didnt say "we're sorry, we'll stop" when confronted on 'exploiting' the released hearts.
Other than that personal slide, cant think of anything not already covered...
Now Im all sad, thinking about all the other moments like this throughout the game...Axel and Roxas was apparently just the most shown friendship between not-technically-real people.
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;-; I must agree. Thats partially what makes the Organization so interesting...deliving into their past. But the deeper we delve, the sadder I get at their fate. I still cannot comprehend how this game can completely overlook them as badguys. I...can't really figure out what the moral of KH2 is SUPPOSED to be, at all.
~saeru
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Thankyou. ;-; We really appreciate it.
~saeru
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This is just so sad... -sniff-
I must say you did an awesome job on this, you could really feel the message it's trying to send out. Awesome man. It deserves a fave. ^^
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;-; Yay! The message is understood! Thankyou, very much. ^.^
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Wonderful implications in this picture, so deep and meaningful. Makes me feel like crying. ^^
Love the colors and simplicity, very well done!
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Its wonderful how we're making people want to cry with this picture. ;-; It still makes ME cry. Guess we're making up for it since, y'know, they can't and all.
Thankyou!
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I like this picture too much... >w< I don't say that often about a pic, I think, but, yea, I seriously got a lot off of this one... I'm personally a big XalXig fan, but to be honest, what really got mea was the picture description....
"...It's kinda bittersweet, isn't it?
Well, some people might not think so. Like Sora wouldn't think so.
But he's just a naive serial-killer, so we're not going to pay much attention to his opinion.
We like to stuff such prejudiced people back into their glass avacodos where they can't mindlessly destroy cosmic hopes and dreams far beyond their comprehension, whilst being spoon-fed propaganda that they are doing the "right thing" and saving the worlds.
Yeah. What does he know anyway?
This pic is for the rest of you."
...I honestly started tearing at the eyes a little at that part. It basically sums up into a paragraph my personal feelings about the Organization. They're called the 'Bad Guys' of Kingdom Hearts 2, but in all honesty, they really aren't... They don't do anything outright evil at any point in the game, and their one goal is just to collect enough hearts for complete the Moonheart so that they can be complete beings again. But Sora is told that they are evil, corrupt, cult-like group, and must be stopped because they are part of the 'Darkness'. But, the game clearly states that they are neither Light, nor Dark. It really pains me to kill off each member of the Organization in the game, because they all have their own sad way of fading away... Axel isn't the only one! 
....Yea, long-winded comment. 
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Let me first say how much we really appreciate you posting this. The more comments like this we hear, the more -validated- what we believed in becomes because of other people like you who believe it, too.
Why does Kingdom Hearts(the game) promote the ideal of friendship surviving through all odds and adversities, only to also give us a message that, apparently, it doesn't. Perhaps it is true that Nobodies 'should not exist,' but, despite the fact that they themselves say this, they still fight for their survival. And even if having a heart leaves one without emotion, it does not leave one without DESIRES or why would they try so hard, at all? They -want- to have the right to exist. Shouldn't Sora, as the 'hero,' be HELPING them to find another way? They wouldn't be 'using' him if he was cooperating, after all....and they've TRIED to talk sence into the little keyblade wielder.
The one thing that I'd disagree with in what you were saying is that the Organization wasn't doing anything wrong. They were, actually, being bad guys. Xaldin spent his time at Beast's Castle trying to take his heart, and Xigbar turned an ancient dragon into a heartless. Beyond that, it is strongly implied(in my view) that they had been the ones who unleashed the heartless into the different worlds for Sora to unlock.
HOWEVER...
They were only unlocking Heartless on the worlds that he went to. It was Sora's own fault the worlds he visited in the pursuit of his friend were being attacked. In addition, the Organization WAS just trying to survive. No different than a Lion eating a gazelle(something that Sora SHOULD understand, having been a Lion), they're taking what they needed in a predatory sense. Kill or be killed.
And because of that I can't see ANY reason for Sora deserving his happy ending. In fact, it really, really makes me upset. >.< I think I need to go draw some more angst. This was too much for me. ;-;
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