#silvermoon424

[chaos-cauldron]

Sailor Lethe and Sailor Mnemosyne images from the Cosmos Visual Book! Scans provided by Silvermoon424!

Spoiler image

#sailor moon #sailor stars #sailor moon crystal #sailor moon cosmos #sailor lethe #sailor mnemosyne #shadow galactica #scans #silvermoon424

[titles-for-tangents]

In conjunction with @silvermoon424’s new project to scan and archive Mitsukazu Mihara’s 6-volume manga series Dolls: IC in a Doll, here is a copy of an interview Mihara gave in 2006 with Manga Magazine at Otakon, recorded here by Tokyopop!

What a Doll! An Interview with Mitsukazu Mihara

(On the left-hand side):

Goth Loli goddess Mitzukazu Mihara has garnered an impressive level of fan devotion in Japan, largely due to the intricate and inspired Gothic Lolita fashions worn by her characters.

A master of the manga short story, Mihara-sensei began her career as an illustrator, gaining recognition and acclaim for her distinct illustrations in the Gothic Lolita Bible. Going on to create such noteworthy titles as Happy Family and IC in a Sunflower, Mihara-sensei took storytelling to a new level with Doll, a six-volume anthology series about a world where humankind coexists with an intelligent race of androids called “dolls”.

Gothic Lolita enthusiasts and sci-fi lovers - Mitsukazu Mihara fans are passionate, dedicated and intelligent. And with the release of Mihara-sensei's Beautiful People in February and Haunted House and R.I.P.: Requiem in Phonybrain in the fall, they're about to grow significantly in number. Get on board while you still can.

Manga magazine sat down with Mihara-sensei at the Otakon convention in Baltimore, where she discussed fashion, fandom and some of her surprising influences.

-Tim Beedle

(At the bottom:)

MIHARA-SENSATIONAL: FIVE FLAWLESS FABLES

New to the work of Mitsukazu Mihara? For those looking to sample the best of the best, we offer a few suggestions.

"A Maid Servant" (Doll, Vol. 1) When Tokiko's fiancé leaves her for another woman, Tokiko assumes it's because she's ugly. But when someone starts defacing Tokiko's doll, we soon learn that ugliness has many forms.

"Beautiful People" (Beautiful People) Telling the tale of Mimi, a strong-willed woman who achieves beauty through plastic surgery, Mihara-sensei reveals where the true beauty lies, while serving up some of her most intriguing character design work to boot.

"Grave" (Doll, Vol. 4) Mihara-sensei gave life to the dolls, but in this story, she gives them death. "Grave" takes us to the SG Corporation's press room, where retired or illegally remodelled dolls are scrapped. A fascinating look at mortality, "Grave" is chilling...and life-affirming.

"Haunted House" (Haunted House) A very black comedy. "Haunted House" tells the story of Sabato, a hapless teenager whose attempts at romance are continually ruined by his outrageous family. Boasts detailed gothic art and plenty of dark humor.

"Home" (Doll, Vol. 6) An emotional story that serves as a denouement for the entire Doll series, "Home" is only fully appreciated when read after the stories that preceded it.

(In the center:)

Manga: Welcome to Otakon, Mihara-sensei! Is this your first time in the United States? Mitsukazu Mihara: Not only is it my first time in the United States, it's my first time traveling abroad. I'm having the best time!

Manga: What are you impressions of Otakon? Mitsukazu Mihara: I love it. All of these amazing cosplayers - I could sit and watch them all day long. This is something you just don't see in Japan!

Manga: In Japan, the vast majority of your fans are Gothic Lolita devotees. What attracted you to Gothic Lolita fashion? Mitsukazu Mihara: I just love the spirit of Gothic Lolita culture. When I first started drawing manga, Gothic Lolita was just taking off and I wanted to incorporate the trend. I think we've grown together. Actually, though, my first works were not Gothic Lolita - they were inspired more by punk.

Manga: Let's back up a bit. How did you begin your career as a manga-ka? Mitsukazu Mihara: When I was first starting off, I was very much inspired by the work of Yumi Tada (Yukikaze, Ludlow Garage, Sitting in the Balcony). I actually became her assistant. While working for her, I was scouted and asked to enter my work in an amateur manga competition and was very surprised when I learned that I won! I then went on to submit my work to Shodensha, who accepted it. I've been extremely lucky in my career.

Manga: Other than Yumi Tada, who are some of your influences? Mitsukazu Mihara: Kazuo Umezu (Orochi, Scary Books) and Junko Mizuno (Hansel & Gretel, Pure Trance). I also really love Tim Burton.

Manga: Really? He's an influence? Mitsukazu Mihara: Oh yes! He's my biggest. Edward Scissorhands is my favorite film of his. I find the way he balances dark themes with humor and heart to be inspiring. And I can't wait to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Corpse Bride!

Manga: What about the science fiction aspect in many of your books? Your stories in Doll and Beautiful People remind me of the work of Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. Are you a fan? Mitsukazu Mihara: I'm a very big fan of science fiction. Blade Runner is one of my favorite movies. I'm also a fan of Asimov's robot books. In fact, the dolls in Doll actually follow the Three Laws of Robotics, even though it's never explicitly stated.

Manga: Let's talk about Doll for a moment. Aside from being a great piece of science fiction, there are a lot of social and psychological issues brought up by it. Did you intend for it to make so many statements? Mitsukazu Mihara: Yes, there were many issues I wanted to write about. Domestic violence, for one, remains a problem in Japan, and I felt Doll could be a good place to address it.

(Off to the left:)

Doll is fearless in its subject matter, tackling controversial issues such as spousal abuse, gender inequality, bulimia and sexual objectification.

(Center, continuing from previous page:)

Mitsukazu Mihara: However, it was never intended to be at the sacrifice of the story. Telling a good story comes first.

Manga: Your stories often cross into the fantastic or surreal, but the characters and their emotions always feel real and relatable. How do you pull this off? Mitsukazu Mihara: I take my inspiration from my own life and I only write about what I know. Now, I'll often take familiar things and exaggerate them for effect, but I have to stick to what I'm familiar with. For me to do it any other way would weaken the story.

Manga: How does Gothic Lolita fit into it? Mitsukazu Mihara: In Doll, Gothic Lolita fashion symbolizes eternal beauty. The perfect Ghotic Lolita never ages - she remains young. It's as if she's not human, but a machine - or a doll.

Manga: Do you have a favorite character in Doll? Mitsukazu Mihara: I like Ichiro, the Remodeler. Of all the characters, he's the most I like.

Manga: What has your experience been like working with an American entertainment company, as opposed to a Japanese company? Mitsukazu Mihara: It's actually easier to work with TOKYOPOP than with Japanese companies. Most publishers are not as concerned with quality, but TOKYOPOP pays extra attention to keeping the integrity of my work. I am extremely happy.

Manga: What are you working on now? Mitsukazu Mihara: I have a couple of projects I'm working on: Doku Hime and Shigeshoshi.

Manga: Do you have a message for your fans in America? Mitsukazu Mihara: Thank you for all your support! I'm so pleasantly surprised and grateful that the American fans "get it" despite all of the cultural differences! The fact that Gothic Lolita is so popular here in the States pleases me very much!

(End of interview and article)

#doll #doll: ic in a doll #manga #mitsukazu mihara #manga-ka #tokyopop #manga magazine #otakon #interviews #2006 #gothic lolita #fashion #robots #androids #silvermoon424 #archival media

[samble-moved]

🙃💎!

🙃 What’s a weird fact that you know?

too many of them, ask @homusbian. i like wikipedia browsing and video essays.

here's one. apparently, san marino, a microstate in europe, proposed an alliance via letter between it and the US to abraham lincoln during the civil war, to express their support. lincoln was also offered dual citizenship in that country. this was during a time where the US was of course having issues with the civil war, and uk/france were lowkey being pro-confederate (despite occasional european claims nowadays about them abolishing slavery first, they were perfectly fine w it suddenly in the 1860s if it meant confederate cotton). source about the letter here. somewhat related, there's also this site with international reactions to lincoln's death. it's sorted by country.

💎 What’s your most prized possession?

the titanic model i somewhat poorly put together, if only because i think it looks cool, and it took foreeeeever with much technical difficulty. replaced the batteries for the led lights just now. i also have a baby blanket (the kind they give to newborns at the hospital) and a plush cat from when i was two or three somewhere in the crawlspace under the house.

#mail #ask games #silvermoon424

[nangbaby]

I am simultaneously being suggested to change my screen name and disassociate from my past, while being accused of changing my screen name and disassociating from my past.

Like...you want to me to exist and not exist at the same time. I can't win.

#delgado-master #proship #antiship #i'm too much of a narcissist to send anon hate #at least according to my enemies #but that they're thinking of me means I'm living rent free in their heads #rent free #hatewagoners #silvermoon424 #abusers #happysadyoyo #asterosian

[silvermoon424]

Artist: Madoka Oomori of the circle Pale Lilac (she was the former assistant of Naoko Takeuchi, hence why their styles are so similar and why her doujinshi can be considered semi-official!)

Scanned by: Me

#sailor moon #bishoujo senshi sailor moon #ami mizuno #rei hino #makoto kino #minako aino #sailor mars #sailor mercury #sailor venus #sailor jupiter #madoka oomori #doujinshi #pale lilac #my scans #my edits #edited by Silvermoon424 #mangacap #manga cap #manga panel #manga edit

[ashitomarisu]

I was not lying when I said I'd take the shot on one of @silvermoon424's OCs.

Gotta love the 90s Sailor Moon manga style to apply on Erina, since I think we need more chibis. There are not enough chibis; let alone 90s anime-style chibis. Oh, I almost forgot the cameo.

#go wish Katy a happy birthday #fanart #Erina (silvermoon424)

[tiskycat]

Thinking about how absolutely insane it is that as Queen of The World (Solar System), Usagi not only encases her royal palace in a giant impenetrable crystal, not only puts it at the cruising altitude of a 747, not only puts it on top of another mini-mountain of more crystal, but also

ALSO

surrounded it with a moat. You know. For security.

#sailor moon #neo queen serenity #crystal tokyo #GIRL YOUR ENEMIES COME FROM SPACE I DON'T THINK THE MOAT IS GONNA DO SHIT #IT'S NOT EVEN AROUND THE BUILDING. ITS AROUND THE MOUNTAIN OF CRYSTAL THE BUILDING SITS ON. USAGI. #image credit to silvermoon424

[puellamagiholyquintet]

New angles of mamis house in the reprint!

#scanned by silvermoon424 #puella magi madoka magica #mami tomoe #madoka magica #magia record #puella magi #madoka magica rebellion #holy quintet #manga #kaname madoka #akemi homura #miki sayaka

[erisolkat]

does this bad i feel like this looks bad

#scan by silvermoon424

[malanatero]

Double fanart of Madoka!!

Based on this post by @silvermoon424.

I'm back from my hiatus and I missed madoka a whole lot so I thought of drawing her! Here we can see Madoka in two different outfits, showing her versatility and style!

Also, check out this post by @ube-halaya-chan!!! ITS AMAZING YES?

Edit: I've JUST NOW realized that I've drawn the whole ass illustration on 16:9 and I have a 16:10 screen resolution so it looked squashed???????? and NOW IT LOOKS BETTER NO WONDER EVERY SCREENCAP I MADE LOOKED LIKE IT WAS A GODAMMED MINION

Comparison gif below keep reading just so you know

#gow kratos #god of war #kratos #madoka magica #madoka #madoka magica fanart #puella magi madoka magica #mahou shoujo madoka magica #madoka kaname #pmmm madoka #pmmm #pmmm fanart #the text below the credits is ironic btw #just so you know #I wanted to draw this like #for a whole month #malanArt

[doomedlvr]

Scan by @silvermoon424 , coloured by me <3

#pmmm #madoka magica #madohomu #manga colourings #this took forever cause I had to straight up redraw a lot

[chaos-cauldron]

Sailor Galaxia images from the Cosmos Visual Book! Scans provided by Silvermoon424!

More Galaxia images from the Cosmos Visual Book

#sailor moon #sailor stars #sailor moon crystal #sailor moon cosmos #sailor galaxia #shadow galactica #usagi tsukino #chibi chibi #chaos #scans #silvermoon424

[mahou-furbies]

OCs from my followers, season 3.

Owners under cut

@glamskunk / @hermitbug / @royalminty

@sassysimoneevans / @itsalwayssunnyinpurgatoria

@glitchedwitch / @aefengrom / @thedeliaishere

@gingerslapnotion / @silvermoon424 / @kira-kira-kitty

@doneses / @ruby4111 / @furubatsu

#my art #original

[samble-moved]

9!

9) When did you realize you weren’t cishet?

realized i wasn't het between ages 6-10, not sure or exact number. maybe around 7-8? i thought i was bi/pan because 1) i thought wanting to be friends with boys in my class meant i had romantic interest in them, and 2) wasn't aware that i didn't feel romantic interest in anyone. it wasn't until i was a teenager that i settled on lesbian, and only for the past handful of years on aromantic (unless im mixing things up?).

EDIT: looked on archive.org for my first blog, and i apparently IDed as arospec since at least 2019, not sure if earlier than that (that's from the archived links in that year, but im not sure when i first posted that in old links or if it was there pre-2019). but i IDed as nebula/quoiromantic at the time, AKA not getting romantic VS platonic attraction. but i think IDing as "just" aro is from maybe like 2020-2021ish onward?

as for cis, high school years. so from like 14-15 til now. albeit what labels i used differed. usually nowadays i just say nonbinary in general, or butch/transmasc if bring specific.

#mail #ask games #silvermoon424 #thanks katy!

[nangbaby]

SilverMoon424, you are a scammer who tried steal an artist's work, and this is beyond the pale, even for you. Now you're crying that you're misunderstood even though you didn't take responsibility for asking for a commission and NOT PAYING AND GHOSTING THE ARTIST EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE A DONATION BUTTON ON YOUR BLOG. You have no problem continuously kicking me over and over again and bragging to your followers how you (a white woman) "owned" me (a black woman) me eight years ago. Then you claim you're not a bully or a racist. Now you've expanded to theft of an artist' services and claim it is vindictive for them to call you out for taking money out their pocket. To take a page from hate you sent yourself for attention:

You haven’t taken any accountability for your actions. You’re acting like an artist with fewer followers than you is a bully and and abuser when all they did was draw something with the communicated expectation of getting paid by you. It’s very clear you have not grown much as a person.

You seriously need to get over being called out for being an art thief. Move on with your life. Let go of the past instead of trying to steal money from artists if an accusation is hurting you this much.

I still can’t believe that Katy/silvermoon424 can’t get over the L she took for trying to scam an artist out of their money. You are not to be trusted and no one should ever take a commission from you, especially when you get money from your blog and can easily afford to PAY for art. silvermoon424 is a scammer and a thief who takes artists' work without paying all while earning money herself from her blog. Beware!

#silvermoon424 #scammers #sailor moon #sailor moon drama #art thief

[silvermoon424]

Tissue packet given out by Nakayoshi to promote Sailor Moon. Scanned by me.

#sailor moon #bishoujo senshi sailor moon #usagi tsukino #ami mizuno #rei hino #makoto kino #minako aino #setsuna meioh #haruka tenoh #michiru kaioh #sailor pluto #sailor neptune #sailor uranus #sailor mars #sailor mercury #sailor venus #sailor jupiter #chibiusa #sailor chibi moon #furoku #rare art #my scans #my edits #edited by Silvermoon424