REKIRA THE SUPER-MONSTER - 35th Anniversary of Planning - and New Art!

 I really wanted to post this yesterday, but I only just overcame a bunch of technical hiccups at the eleventh hour. But I'm nonetheless very excited about this.

 Yesterday was the 35th Anniversary of when I officially began production on what would eventually become my original kaiju story, Rekira the Super-Monster! Originally a Godzilla fanfiction, which I would revise and refine in subsequent years; in 1997, I was encouraged by a dear friend to turn the story into an original work (because - and he put it so much better than most other people did - of the benefits of doing an original story; having creative freedom and owning it personally). I agreed, and after much revisions through the years, I refined it into my ultimate love-letter to Godzilla and other tokusatsu (as well as other aesthetics, like midcentury modern cartoon styles and 1950s/'60s retrofuturism).

Here are two finished pieces related to my project, both modeled on Blender and texted/signed on FireAlpaca.

One is the finished figures of Rekira fighting his first adversary, Cheligon (which you've seen in past posts), from one of my render sessions on January 23rd.

The other is new finished figures of the three main characters of the story: Tatsuo Kongoji, Raitaro Hayama, and Verena Freston. The new V6 figures are lower-poly and easier to shape/texture, with much better rigging poseability, and these are the best ones yet! I finally nailed the cartoon style I was going for.

I've got some more pics on the way, from other modeling sessions. But otherwise, it's hard to believe that 35 years have gone by... Enjoy!

Reimagining Rekira's first adversary... Electric Eel Monster Cheligon!

 Finally, I finished the model on Blender for Electric Eel Monster Cheligon (Denki-Unagi Kaijuu Kerigon), the first adversary for the titular kaiju of my original project, Rekira the Super-Monster! I'm very satisfied with how it turned out.

 For good measure, let's revisit the original version, created on 3DSMax for my Rekira short in 2008...

 Originally called "Chelios" (based on "chéli" = Greek for "eel"), this monster was actually created from just copying the 2008 Rekira's model and modifying it, only it was rushed. It still did the job quite well!

 Here's the new version. Quite a difference, isn't it?

 Modeled on Blender (with the texture made on FireAlpaca), with this promotional image assembled on FireAlpaca, I crossed an electric eel with a salamander, basically. The new name, Cheligon, is a combination of "chéli"/"eel" + "dragon." The result is much more satisfying, with a sleek, slimy-looking texture, and a color pattern that is reminiscent of 1960s/1970s kaiju of the same type. This is very true to the design I've been working with for the last decade! Wait'll you see it in action with different gimmicks...

Last CG work of 2025!

 I think I really nailed it this time. :)

 You may have seen them in some test footage I posted recently, but I recently completed updated versions of the main heroes of my original kaiju project, Rekira the Super-Monster! And with them, I did a second version of the reenactment of my last art of 2022 on Blender, and this time, I finally nailed it, for my last CG work of 2025.

 Once again, depicted are the main characters, the Olympus Key Staff (who secretly transform into the superhero team, the Dynamic Heralds), hanging out in a huge studio similar to the Rainbow Room from The Monkees! (It's the same exact one used in the previous version.)

Here's the original 2002 drawing for comparison:

And the first 3D version from 2023, which is not bad, but it's great to see how far I've come in my modeling skills.

 Either way, these deeply touch me. :) 

 I'll still be doing some drawn art by the end of the year, so stay tuned!

Rekira 2025

 I'm about to unveil my latest 3D models of my original kaiju, Rekira! Two variants made with the same model; a dragon variant and a bipedal variant. This is the first time since 2008 that I decided to make a fully bipedal version. These are the best models yet! I'm impressed with both versions. Made in Blender.

 

Rekira V3 Beta Complete!

Despite these difficult times, I still have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving:

-Mom and Sissy being in good health.
-My big brother Peter and his friend Panda had a great and safe two-week trip to Japan, and showed me all sorts of stuff!
-I went to two Galaxy-Cons this year and met wonderful guests.
-This is, to date, the best Godzilla Day I've ever had (the Godzilla Fest livestream, going to see Godzilla Minus One for the 4th time, and watching my Criterion Blu-Ray of the original 1954 film)!
-I'm making very good progress on my original kaiju project, Rekira the Super-Monster! And for Thanksgiving, I'm sharing a bit of it: I'm unveiling the final look for the eponymous monster, as completed in Blender! Assembled in FireAlpaca.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rekira: 33rd Anniversary: V3 Beta Unveiled!

 At last, for Rekira's 33rd Anniversary today, you get your first full look at the new V3 Beta model!

Done in Blender and FireAlpaca.

First Rekira CG work of the year: Rekira Flying Over the Dawn

 At last, the first full-quality Rekira CG work of 2014! Here's Rekira flying over a warm dawn, done in Blender, with text added in FireAlpaca. This is the first official look at the new Rekira V3 Beta, completed last night. (Same model as V3, different physique.) There'll be even better pics of Rekira V3 Beta to follow!

Last CG work of 2023!

 I'll be taking a break from CG work for the rest of the year, so it's fitting that I would post this superb CG recreation of my "Final Art of 2022" drawing! Once it was finished, I got a bit emotional seeing the result (and the original drawing was emotional enough as it was). A Christmas present for all. Done on Blender on the 15th, and assembled in FireAlpaca today.

And here's the original:

Introducing Rekira V3!

 At last, I unveil my latest CG model of my original kaiju, Rekira! Here is Version 3 (V3), which is the best-looking version to date.

Done on Blender, with the skin/fur texture done on tablet in both Blender and Fire Alpaca. The skin/fur ratio was first attempted on the V1 model, but the result was unsatisfactory. Now, it looks far better, now that I got the hang of using particle fur both conservatively and efficiently for the model! The topology is also much better and more consistent. I also simplified Rekira's antlers (I eschewed the red lines), and the headlamp and Pulsar Plates are also now incorporated into the model itself (as opposed to just pasted on, like the previous two models).

Completion test shots (using stock HDRI sky textures), from when the model was finished on October 12 (when I finally completed the glow features).

WIP test shots

This one is great, the best feral expression, so far.

Glow test:

Emulating the "strong" pose of the 1968-1972 Godzilla:

Shee!

Rekira V2 Test Pictures from 2021!

 Before I post the latest development for Rekira the Super-Monster, enjoy these test pictures for the previous Rekira V2 (Rekira 2021) figure! All rendered on Blender in mid-to-late August 2021, after finishing the figure.

 

Ray effect was hand-drawn on tablet in FireAlpaca.

 

Raitaro & Verena - Olympus Elite Staff Members

 From my original kaiju project, Rekira the Super-Monster, here are the two main human characters, Raitaro Hayama and Verena Freston, in their Olympus Elite Staff uniforms!

Figures done in Blender, collage assembled in FireAlpaca.

 ADDED BONUS (9/16/2022): Here's three versions of the central pic; black & white, faded "retro" color, and normal color versions.

And a pic not seen in this collage; one in black and white, and in normal color.

The 3 Main Characters of REKIRA THE SUPER-MONSTER, in full CGI!

 Here are the finished CG figures of the three main characters in my original kaiju project, Rekira the Super-Monster! I'm very excited to share them. Character portraits assembled in FireAlpaca.

You know, the more I think about it, with the "cartoon" look I was going for, these characters look like Rankin-Bass Animagic-style characters (which were crafted/animated in Japan)! Except that the subject matter is a bit more serious (although there will be, er... humor). ;)

The enigmatic Tatsuo Kongoji:

Raitaro Hayama (AKA: Herald 6/Dengekid):

Verena Freston (AKA: Herald 3/Mysti-Girl)

More characters to come as production progresses!