Halloween arrives in less than a week, and Microsoft Taiwan has decided to get their bewitching mascot dressed up in costume for all manner of treating – releasing another Hikaru artwork which surpasses the last.
A little over a year ago, Microsoft’s Hikaru hadn’t looked anywhere near this beautiful – her appearance was more so drab and basic, with heavy highlight on the breasts to account for an absence of much else worth looking at. In most cases, that would be it – the situation would die there hopelessly as none of the relevant parties would take the necessary steps to improve, and if anything, would likely continue to fall and decline.
Yet this Taiwanese sector of a global powerhouse in technology has apparently dedicated all its extensive resources into the research of the aesthetics behind feminine allure – and then subsequently, pushed its engineers into innovating an unbelievably gorgeous bishoujo character design. Gradually, yet in increments significant, her appearance improved until she became stunning – although it seems Microsoft did not rest at that.
Hikaru’s latest rendition is otherworldly in its glistening charm – she’s literally beaming with beauty, a glowing pumpkin orange aura surrounds her which complements the intense deep blue of the night sky. Note the pure genius in composition – the artist remained consistent with the trend of complementary orange and blue seen in many past Hikaru artworks, although rather than employing that scheme into some conventionally seen pumpkin patch piece or similar, he utilized the colors alone.
Halloween is being represented without the usual vegetables and scarecrows – a true testament to creativity, and done fittingly in how the bottom edge of the illustration is lined with weeds. The hue of orange goes with Halloween, and it is also a signature color of Hikaru imagery – and thus, the artist had to figure out how to implement it within the canvas effectively.
By deciding to add some orange plantation across the bottom, the art piece remains consistent and sensible in that one can believe weeds would have an orange tint to them, and of course, they would sway around in the wind a bit as well – explaining the dip they seem to have. Similarly however, one would also know that no plants on Earth are an orange this vibrant – yet such idealistic and exaggerated details serve to establish the dreamlike atmosphere.
Furthermore, the motion of the weeds gives an idea of the ambiance as well – one can grasp that it’s fairly windy and whatnot. The orange is also significant in how it balances with the other instances of the same hue – such as Hikaru’s lush blonde hair. And as an exemplary showcase of how the artist so astoundingly considered the interrelatedness of different elements in a single space, see the ever-delicate flow of Hikaru’s mane – a facet which while lovely in itself, is also exquisite in how it goes to show the serenity of the portrayed picture.
Fluctuations of tone and dabs of highlight make for a vast, infinite, and lively sky – a major charm point of this artwork is how everything feels alive, staring at it leaves one with a sensation as if surrounded by the pure essence of life, as if having transcended into a heaven of some sort.
Behind Hikaru, the colossal moon, ablaze with an amiable light, makes truly praiseworthy use of negative space – utilizing the canvas area not only in a fashion which coincides with surrounding aspects, although also meaningfully, and in a manner which shows the conviction and personality of the artist. Nowhere on our planet will one be able to see the moon as massive as this – thus it was a move on part of the artist to decide to make it this large.
Now it wasn’t out of randomness that the artist decided on this particular size – one can see how the canvas is practically divided into layers of foreground, subject matter, and background. In thanks to incredible value application, there is depth in the placement of the various forms on the canvas – the moon sits somewhere behind the girl, but in front of the sky. Hikaru’s hair overlaps the moon, showing she’s before it – yet light comes forward, and darkness recedes, thereby still bringing the moon closer to us than the endless pool of universe.
Having mentioned shadow, see first of all how the dark, almost violet, trim running along the very bottom of Hikaru’s dress wraps around in a curvature very defined despite the frivolous pattern of frills it features. This curve takes the eye to Hikaru’s thighs – and as one can certainly see, assorted streaks of shadow aggregate in the midst of a greater puddle of darkness, all of which contrasts a lighter portion just to the right, drenched in moonlight, resulting in an infallible display of volume.
The lower back then continues to tantalizingly lead one through her voluptuous physique – a particularly delightful point being how the fairy wings behind her abdomen make for a more subtle contrast versus the sky, and her dress’ hue being of a tone so fair causes it to luminously contrast the surroundings.
Her skin is of an even lighter, yet more saturated and brighter tone than her ensemble – thereby emanating in a fashion quite enchanting. The gesture of her hands is also another salaciously inviting detail – and of course, her eyes shining our direction makes for an irresistible trait as well.
At this level of skill, Microsoft Taiwan is easily surpassing the aesthetic caliber of the current anime industry – and meeting, if not slightly excelling beyond even the top-players of Japanese animation. For a mere mascot character – this is truly unbelievable in quality.
Oct 26, 2012 @ 22:12 CDT
There’s an error in the first paragraph – “mascot” the ” t ” isn’t pink.