RABBAROOS! AIM FOR THE SKY!

Some more character design art.  This time of Reiko (who comes in next chapter), the Rabbaroos’ coach.

Welp, now that Korra is done for a while, I really AM going back to focus on my Rabbaroos-centric expanded universe story!  As proof, here’s some quick expression studies of Shinobu, the team captain!

I really like heroines with both a clear sense of purpose and a damn-the-torpedoes approach (in other words, classic sports manga heroines XDDDD) and tried to bring that across a bit in Shinobu.  She’s not particularly strong as a Firebender, but she has an eye for games of strategy like Pai Sho, and weighing the odds and studying opponents helps her make up for a lack of brute force.  She can still make rash decisions or miss small details, but when she’s in her element she’s no slouch.  

She’s all about her mom, and feels like its her job to do what she can to help her get better, and as such she’s never really had much of a childhood, though her best friend Zhi has done a lot to brighten her situation.  She and Anyu don’t get along very well, Shin’s optimism clashing with Anyu’s more cynical attitude, but they have a lot they can learn from each other.

Some sketches of Anyu (showing up next chapter), the Waterbending member of the Rabbaroos.  Mostly to capture an impression of her personality.

I… guess she ended up kind of tsundere in my head XD  She’s very serious about winning, and has a few chips on her shoulder.  She’s convinced of her own talent (which is considerable) to the point where she gets extremely short with her teammates.  She’s something of a hot-potato in the Pro-Bending circuit, and either ragequits or gets kicked off her teams often.

However, she’s desperate to win this year, and even if it means throwing in with a couple rookies, the Rabbaroos are the longest shot she has of doing it.

Some sketches for additional “Aim For The Sky!” characters.

Left: Zhi’s Family

Her father (Gui), mother (Yan), and three younger siblings (Maki, Ran and Zhou)

Gui inherited the almost-worthless remains of his family mining plot in Red Sands, but despite the insisting of everyone around him, he remained convinced that it warranted being checked until there was nothing left.  His hunch proved correct— one of the last deposits of coal and precious minerals in the area remained, and with the initial profit he finally made good on a longtime promise to marry the girl of his dreams, a stubborn but talented Earthbender named Yan.  

She shared his passion for digging, and over the years they formed a meager business and a large family, of which Zhi was their firstborn daughter.  

While Maki has leapt eagerly into the family legacy and Zhou is itching to properly begin, Ran supports her siblings but secretly longs to leave Red Sands when she’s old enough and find a real education in far-off Ba Sing Se.

Shinobu’s mother (Saya)

Even though her husband left home when Shinobu was barely seven, Saya always had a strong smile for her daughter, and patiently taught her everything she knew about Firebending.

Talented in her younger days, she dreamed of making a true name for herself as a Pro-Bender, but as family obligations and financial woes crept up, her dreams were put aside and eventually forgotten.  Though they could share Firebending for a while, her slowly manifesting illness made her weaker, forcing Shinobu to grow up quickly to take care of her.  

While Shinobu’s never thought twice about it, Saya silently resents her situation, and seeing herself in her daughter, encourages her to pursue the Pro-Bending Championship in Republic City.