Inspirations
- I wanted to list just a few of the many inspirations both in my work and in life -
Video games
- Interactive experiences that have shaped me -
- Xenoblade 3 (2022) MonolithSoft, Nintendo -
A tale of life, linking past to future...
Xenoblade 3 is by far my favourite piece of media ever made, when I played it the summer before starting my first year at University it's message resonated with me on such a emotional level that it redefined the way that I choose to live my life. I would not be the same person without this game.
Alongside an immaculate soundtrack, a superb refinement of series gameplay and an incredible English and Japanese voice cast, I genuinely cannot praise this game enough.
- Blaster Master Zero Trilogy (2017/2019/2021) Inti Creates, Sunsoft -
The pinnacle of man and machine...
I can't say I expected going in to be so totally absorbed by the story and characters of Blaster Master Zero the way that I did, despite being three relatively short games, at most six hours a piece. The quality of the characters and how their relationships build the emotional core of the narrative is truely exquisite. The ending of the whole trilogy is both the perfect send-off and celebration of this wonderful series. Oh, and the gameplay and period-accurate pixel art are great as well. Easily my favourite series from Inti Creates.
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011/2021) Nintendo -
The forging of a heroic spirit...
Whilst I grew up with a number of the older 'Zelda' titles, it was Skyward Sword, that truly captivated me in a way that the other games simply did not. I think part of that was the presentation of the games narrative, focusing on this cinematic style and the expressiveness of Link that drew me in.
That and the incredible watercolour-style art, in tandem with the greatest soundtrack in the series, truly left it's mark on my previous self. I think this game is phenomenal.
Anime
- Japanese animation that left it's mark -
- Puella Magi: Madoka Magica (2011) Studio Shaft, Aniplex, Magia Quartet-
What lies beyond despair and hope...
Madoka Magica is a lot of things, a dark psychological horror character study, a near psychedelic tale of facing the darkness of humanity and many more interpretations. To me however, it's an incredibly tightly written twelve episodes that shows just how much you can explore in such a limited time frame.
Every episode resonates with me in a totally different way, and no scene is wasted in building up and then breaking down it's five main heroines. I realised how much I liked complex character studies from this show.
- Laid-Back Camp (Yurucamp) (2018) Studio C-Station -
Pack your things, we're going camping...
I also happen to enjoy far more relaxing and slow paced media and for me Yurucamp is the pinnacle of what I have seen. For a show whose premise begins and ends with 'high school girls going camping' it's unique brand of earnestness makes it so inredibly relaxing to watch. It helps, of course, that all the locations in Japan shown are in fact based on real places that you could actually visit.
Slow-paced is the name of the game here, but with a set of geuninely endearing characters, I could watch this forever. Well as long as they continue to make it.
- Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files (2019) Studio TROYCA, Type-Moon -
A mystery of Mages, under the gaze of the Clock Tower...
Of all the Fate Series Spin-offs, I found the continued adventures of Waver Velvet post the events of Fate/zero to be uniquely captivating, both as an exploration of the world of mages and the characters that would shape the texture of such a world. The best mystery stories from my experience, work because they form a tangible, believable world. Despite how crazy this particular world gets at times, it's integrity allows for the mystery to have genuine weight, and thus the characters can flourish within.
Manga
- Japanese comics that made me think -
- Made in Abyss (2018) Akihito Tsukushi -
What lies in the depths of the Abyss...
Made in Abyss is the story about a world, namely the Abyss, which acts as the principle location and arguably the main character of the story, at points. The world of the Abyss is so complex and vivid, full of entire ecosystems of animals, plants that both make snese and are completely out of this world. In many ways, it's a story of the humans who have to co-exist with the abyss, it's dangers and it's rules. As a huge fan of the media that directly inspired this, such as the Etrian Odyssey games, it was an easy transition to loving this story.
- Jojo's Bizarre Adventure (1986) Hirohiko Araki -
A generational saga of inherited will...
The very first manga I ever read, and one that truly deserves it's incredible reputation. If nothing else the Saga of the Joestars is a story of growth not just the stroy of heroes growing to defeat insurmountable odds, but also the journey of the author Hirohiko Araki as he grows as both an artist and a storyteller over the fourty years that this series has been serialised.
My favourite Joestar is Joseph, and I'm partial to the earlier parts due to their earnestness. Even if the later parts of the story are more developed, I find the naive element quite charming.
- Cells at Work (2016) Akane Shimizu -
The wonderful power inside the human body...
As much as I make art, my heart equally belongs in the realm of science, I studied Biology and Chemisty at A-Level. So a manga that combines both subjects I enjoy is right up my alley. Even so the way that complex biochemisty and cell biology are presented in a narrative format is so charming and compelling that you almost forget that you are actually learning about all the ways in which our bodies complex mechanisms allow us all to continue living, every single day.
Books
- Prose, that captivates -
- His Dark Materials (1995-2000) Philip Pullman -
Myriad parallel worlds exist, yet blissfully unaware of each other...
When it comes to fantasy fiction seemingly aimed at children and young adults, I've never quite seen something quite as high concept as Philip Pullman's magnum opus. What starts as a relatively simple tale of conspiracy and stolen children, balloons in scope into an examination of the nature of afterlife and parallel universes and asks very Gnostic questions about the nature of God and the place of regular mortals in a universe governed by powers far beyond anyone's understanding. Despite this, it still feels completely cohesive.
- Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World From Zero - (2014) Tappei Nagatsuki -
No matter how many times it takes, I'll save everyone...
Whilst I love the anime adapatation of Re:Zero and the way it tells the story of Natsuki Subaru. The original text, expands on almost every possible element within the narrative, enriching the world and chracters with depth that is impossible to achieve, no matter how quality the adaptation. Regardless, Natsuki Subaru's story of death, rebirth, resolve and solving the mysteries of the world, through blood, sweat and tears is incredible regardless of how you experience it.
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle -
Truth, can it be calculated, or deduced, perhaps...
It's no secret that I'm a fan of mystery stories, especially those inspired by the source of a lot of popular tropes still present in mystery stories to this day. It's no surprise it got as popular as it did, whether by accident or not, Sherlock in his intrigue is such a compelling character and the vivid depiction of Victorian England, that perhaps captivates even more now than it did when these stories were written. I'd like to write mystery stories in the same way, one day.
Creators
- Individuals, who inspire me to improve every day -
- Brandon James Greer -
He makes pictures out of tiny squares...
Passion is what defines the quality of a creative, and the best art videos on any platform are those made by people who understand that fun is an integral part of the process of beginning to make art. The way that Brandon presents the complex ideas behind pixel art in small, easy to digest videos makes compelling to want to try. Just pick a retro game aesthetic you like and study from that, it's not serious, you're just making pixtures otu of tiny squares. He's the reason I even make pixel art, thanks to him, I do what I love.
- Chuggaaconroy -
Hey, everybody! It's Chuggaaconroy!...
Infectious energy is how I would best decribe the many let's-play series that he has made over the last fifteen years, on all manner of games both new and old. But that isn't really important, what is was a let's-play he made Twelve years ago on a little known Wii game called 'Xenoblade Chronicles'. It was largely due to this series of video that I came to develop not only an appreciation for video game storytelling, but I was also introduced to what would become some of my favourite games, if not more than that.
- Shady Cicada -
It's time to reel 'em in...
I'm not a musician, but I think that's precisely why his work captivates me so much, by simplifying the process into small digestible pieces and well, just the fact that he makes excellent stuff, drew me in completely. I'd even like to try and make my own music for certain projects and I think half the reason I'd even consider trying to do that is due to the impact his work has had on my online experience. What I'm saying is, maybe one day, I'll be able to reel people in too.