Hello and welcome to Keba's Anime and Manga Place (KAAMP for short)! Here at KAAMP, I write about anime and manga that I have seen/read as well as my views on them. I'll also post about my original stories from time to time.

Just beware that some of my posts contain spoilers. I'll put them in spoiler tags just in case.

KAAMP's history: KAAMP was created in July 2002 by yours truly. It was a sloppy-looking website on Yahoo's now defunct Geocities. I posted my anime fan art on that site. Also, for a time, I posted my thoughts on the few anime series that I had seen. Now that I look back on it, my thoughts were rather ill-informed (is that even a word?) because I had only seen bits and pieces of anime dubs. Now that I've seen more series, I think that my commentary on various anime will be a little better than before.

So, come on in and stay awhile! KAAMP is now in session.

The Anticipation

I've been having that "I want to draw but I don't know what to draw" feeling a lot lately. Actually, I kind of know what I want my subject matter to be, but I don't know about settings and situations. Mainly, I want to draw my OCs interacting with each other, but I don't know what to have them actually do. I've got a new unused set of colored pencils that I want to use, just so I can experiment with OC color schemes. Still, I don't know how to pose my characters. (I know of some sites with poses, but it's deciding on a good pose that's bothering me.)

Despite the things I mentioned, I'm afraid to start anything because of the impending Secret Santa. I've started on the Challenge prizes, and I'm almost done with the first sketch, but as soon as I get my SS recipient, those will be on the back burner. Heck, all my other art will be on the back burner.

Speaking of other art, I'm slowly catching up with the sketch marathon. I'm still about 10 weeks behind, but I'm getting there. I think I might post the whole thing at once. Or, at least, in large chunks at the end of the year.

I'm also working on three other pictures. One's digital and the other two are traditional. I should be inking those traditional ones soon.

Another thing I gotta do is post my wishlist. I'll get that up in a few days.

It just hit me that the year is almost over. I think it has something to do with the snowfall that I was driving in last Friday. And it's true that the entire population of Chicago forgets how to drive on the first snow of the season. I guess that means I have to think of another event for next year. It probably won't start in January, but I'm still brainstorming right now.

I might as well list my ideas. The first is to put a spin on the 30 Days event, like with only OCs or something. The second would be a "manga artist support network" in which we each make a short manga. The third would be writing crossovers with each other's OCs (no drawing required). Of course, these ideas aren't very fleshed out.

If you made it through this entire post, I salute you. Lousy concluding paragraph is lousy. LOL.

Generating Activity-- UPDATE

I'd like to do some brainstorming with anyone who's willing.

As you know, theO has been kind of dull lately. I was thinking about a few things to generate more activity.

The first thing that comes to mind is the Chat. Being a Premium user, I occasionally check to see who's online. Usually, it's about five people and NONE of them are chatting.

I've been kicking around a chat-based variation of the "ask us" comics that have been going around theO. Basically, a different person hosts the chat each time and anyone who stops by interviews/interacts with the host's OCs. The host would make an announcement post about it. You know, something like a livestream.

Speaking of which, I know Elricz was trying to organize livestreams through a World. I don't know if anything is coming of that, but apparently I'm a guest poster. I guess that's going off-topic a little bit. Or maybe not because it's another idea for theO.

Anyone else got any ideas for theO (aside from the obvious "submit and comment more")? Feel free to add something in the comments.

If you guys like the idea of an "ask us" chat session, I'd like to possibly host one tomorrow (Saturday).

Update: The chat session will be sometime around 7pm Central. I hope to see you there!

Update part deux: Chat is open! The room is called "KSR's OC Chat". Come and stay as long as you like. If no one shows up, I'll close it at 7:30 Central.

Update the Third: Chat is closed. It was nice talking to Clue, even though I didn't really accomplish what I had come for.

Entering Challenges

There are two Challenges that I want to enter, but I don't know what to do for them. Any input would be most helpful.

The first is Toya's Challenge which is basically to enter some traditional art. Since that's kind of broad, I have no idea what to draw. Suggestions, anyone? If I like your suggestion, I'll dedicate it to you. ♪

The next one is Nikki's Challenge in which two characters must be facing off in a fighting game "choose your character" type screen. Again, I don't know what to do. I'd like to do an OC vs OC thing, but I'm not sure.

Again, I really need some ideas. I'd be happy to hear yours. Thanks in advance.

(By the way, the poll is still open, even though I haven't hit the "bring to top" button on it recently. Please check it out and submit!)

Lots of Thoughts (theO Ideas)

I had a bunch of thoughts regarding both theO and my art. This post is basically me spilling ideas.

Regarding theO:

1. OC Popularity Polls. We'd vote for each others' characters and the 10 that receive the most votes get a countdown comic.

2. Otaku Manga/Anime Fan Guides. Basically it'll be a ring of fan sites using Worlds. Each person would have a fan World collecting data about their chosen series (character bios, world guide, et cetera). If we don't know everything about a certain series, we can have guest posters and commenters fill in the gaps. Also, instead of using official artwork, we'd make our own (or post artwork from other users).

3. Something secret that I plan to do this summer. No art skills are required. You just have to know how to link YouTube videos.

Yes, I know the Sketch Marathon is still going and I haven't posted anything yet. This is just a future reference thing, just in case I forget.

Regarding my art:

1. Business ideas. I mentioned opening a Society6, but I have absolutely no idea what to draw to submit to it. Anything you guys wanna see from me? I'm also thinking about other ways to market my art, but I don't have anything completely solid.

2. A new Challenge. Hopefully, I'll make it within the week.

I've got some other stuff in the pipeline, but I want those to be a surprise.

So, what of these ideas interests you?

Why Do These Things Happen?

I'm halfway through sketching all of the Challenge prizes-- three down and three to go. I was about to start the fourth when my mechanical pencil broke. I don't know how it happened. The lead just doesn't want to come out. Guess who'll be buying a new mechanical pencil tomorrow. Anybody know of any good brands that won't randomly stop working?

I might have to rethink the 4KRR. It's very behind schedule, and I get the feeling that one person might be dropping out.

So far, I got no feedback on this post that I made. You don't have to read the thing about the artwork, but I would like to hear thoughts on the rest of the things I brought up.

I also had this idea for a World where people plug their works. Of course, I don't have a lot of active subscribers so I don't know how good plugging your work will be if I created the World.

I wanna draw something so bad now! I haven't posted anything since May and I want to get back in the game.