Update from Japan (Patreon)

Hello to the new patrons in here! Wow, that SubparGeekGirl96 convention short has been blowing up a bit compared to my usual stuff. You always know you've been scooped up by the youtube algorithm becase you get a lot of nice comments saying "wtf is this" and "why am I seeing this trash?" I wouldn't change what I do to chase the algorithm, but fortunately there is some more SubparGeekGirl96 on the way along with with Sublo and Tangy Mustard. I just envisioned her shorts as bonus content so I'm a bit surprised by the popularity, but at the same time I know people love their waifus and the Convention Report is a parody of classic youtuber stuff so I guess there is some logic to it. Either way I'm glad it's introducing some people to the main show!

Anyway it's been a few weeks since I updated and I'm sorry about that. I've been traveling in Japan, finally doing a trip that's been in the works since 2020. Kevin (voice of Tangy Mustard) is here with me for the third time. Despite that, overall it's been an extremely inspiring and refreshing trip! Along with his idol shows and Nintendo museum stuff we're seeing some beautiful nature, crate-digging for old records and comics, eating delicious cheap curry and meeting up with animation friends. We've been busy every day but I try to get out in the morning before the others are up and sketch a bit. The buildings here are so appealing. I love how compact they are, and how much humanity is visually apparent-- plants, bicycles, posters, signs of decay, repair and alterations... It makes me want to draw!

I won't post travel photos since that's not what you're here for (see my instagram for that) but along with some sketches, I did want to share one shot from last night-- my friend Jamie Vickers took us to a karaoke party hosted by animation legend Koji Morimoto and we got a pic together. Among many anime-related songs, Morimoto-san sang Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara by Yumi Arai and Gegege no Kitaro. I sang Cutie Honey and Kevin did Baka Mitai.

Anyway I'll be home in a few days and I'll hit the ground running on animation again next week.