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This month's items are Yokai's Treasure and Demonic Anklets!
 Preview Before You Buy
With the new MC Dressing Room, it seems rather pointless for me to even do my critiques. But then I remember that some people actually like hearing my opinion, which kind of keeps me going. Unfortunately for the Gaia Staff, the fact that I can preview the items instead of forcefully buying a whole set to do a decent review means less money from me for them. I can't help but wonder if this MC Dressing Room idea was a good idea or not.
But, that being said, at least they are making my job easier, and cheaper!
Dark Side in Chains
It was long petitioned that there be a counterpart for the Winged Anklets. It was also long argued that they needed no counterpart, as they were never part of the whole Angelic/Demonic counterpart set. However, demand beats out logic and we have them here for us to wear.
Much like their (now) light counterpart, the default position is around the ankles. Because they are on the dark side of the good-evil scale of things, their design is similar to the Studded Leather Collar that the guys have. They also feature little mini-Nightmare wings that hover just off the anklets. Finally, those heels from the Web Set have something other than the stockings as far as accessories go!
Unlike their counterpart, this isn't the only mode for them. Open Wing mode may look like a pair of upside-down back wings from the thumbnail, but you are not going to be so lucky. Instead, you get upside-down Nightmare Wings for your ankles that hover around the same place as the mini's did in the default position. The main difference is that the studded anklets are gone. This is probably in responce to the fact that you can see the metal loop in both the dark and light versions through shoes and socks. That being said, it's a bit strange to see a mode like this and not one with the anklets on, similar in how recently you had the ability to "turn off and on" various elements like the eyes for the Poison Hair.
Nightmare Wing mode seems to fall into the Uber-Evil design of things. Here, your ankles are either emitting or have embedded in them a wing that spirals out and curves up along your back or side. The wing is so large that the tip stops at the top of your avatar's head, depending on your hair style of choice. While the style makes sense in the promotion art, the way it looks on our avatars just doesn't do this mode justice. It could be a cool way to accent that Dark Halo set (shoes, bustier, and gloves), but the way the wing is drawn just doesn't lend itself to the same effect as in the art.
I'm not going to comment on Batstatche.
The Dark Mask position is what the Lunar Cowl should have been, or at the very least should have offered as a counter to the Solar Headdress. Much like the headdress, the mask is very well designed to be an open-face mask. Here, you get demonic wings flanking your face and curling ever-so-evil-like under your eyes. You even get a cool demonic tiara with it! Combine this with your favorite dark outfit and the recently released "magic eyes" contacts for that "I'm the second form of the last boss in a RPG" look! I think the girls will have more luck than with the guys, but if the level of androginy in the Final Fantasy games is any indication of the future, eventually it won't matter.
Studded Bracers is a very strange feature of this item, but those into bondage will probably like it. Your avatar is given a pair of armlets that are similar to the default anklets. Connected to the armlets is a chain that runs the length of the arm and forms a bracelet of sorts on both writs. Obviously meant to be worn with something that has no sleeves, but for some reason, I see a lot of Gaia Dominatrix outfits coming out with this as one of the feature items.
Nightmare Shackles is pretty much what it says it is. Your avatar ends up being shackled to the ground mideval dungeon style. You know, the kind of shackles that are secured to the ground or at least a really heavy rock? It kind of makes me wonder how these would work in Towns, but seeing how I'm basing this review entirely from the MC Dressing Room, I guess I won't find out until I actually buy them. I don't know what kind of outfits you would want to make out of this kind of item given its look. Much like the bracers, it's blatently bondage gear.
Lastly, we have the Winged Armlets. Here, the design of the wings changes back to the mini-version of the default mode. We also see another change in that the armlets look strangely like the Dark Bands you get from the Casino. The main difference is that the armlets are thiner (like only 1 pixel thick) and extend slightly off the arm. Since the wings are lower than where they ought to be to promote another Back Wing fad, chances are you will see people using this as an accent to an outfit. Creative people may want to take advantage of the lower position of the wings and try to use them as wing patters for, say, the Fairy Wings or even the Angelic Speaker Wings. Everyone else? No clue.
In order to wear a set of this item, you will need to buy at least two given the fact that there are both arm and ankle versions. If you want to splurg, three is the most you should get if only for the Dark Mask.
Overall, I hope whoever wanted this item is happy with what they got. My opinion is that the only mode that is worth the $2.50 price tag is the Dark Mask. The rest have some strange design flaws, particularly with the whole BSDM look.
Demonic Theatre
Okay, so the stupid art major had to look up what the hell the Yokai's Treasure was all about because, as much as I am a fan of the aesthetics of Japanese and Chinese woodblock prints, I know nothing about the culture behind them. Needless to say, this item is a very culturally inspired item. For the uninitiated, this item is pretty much the be-all end-all item for anyone that wants their avatar to be a part of Japanese or Chinese theatre. And we are talking the high theatre, people, with dialouge that's sung and make-up so heavy you can smell it.
The default set for this item is the Kitsune Set.
Now, those of you who were here before Naruto started airring on Cartoon Network know about the Kitsune Mask that came out with the Steel-Plated Ninja Head Band. Well, this version of the Kitsune Mask is more in line with the Princess Mononoke one. However, to avoid copyright violations, the design of the face has changed. The Gaia version is snow white to match the white fur mane. The mouth of the mask is also similar to the mouth of the O RLY? hat, but appears to potrude far enough to imply that it's a fox. Accenting the mask is a single red line across the brow that connects and curls under the eye holes. Overall, it's a nice parody. As far as what to wear with it? Something white if not something that works with that insanely large mane.
Naruto fans, as well as Pokemon Fans, will be happy to see the Kitsune's Nine Tails as an option to wear. I know this item has been requested for a while now, but for how long escapes me at the moment. By itself, the tail doesn't look all that impressive. In fact, it doesn't look like nine tails at all! You could use it as a background element, or if you feel creative with your items, the large talismen part of some kind of Sesshomaru sash. But if you are going for the Fox-person angle (and I know at least one person that will if not already has by the time I publish this), then you'll need something to balance out the white and red in the tails. You'll also need someting to indicate that you are a fox and that thsoe are fox tails. I see a rise in the price of Fox Ears, but that's me.
Overall, the Kitsune set is a nice addition and will please several people, but the amount of white you have to deal with makes the set as a whole just difficult to work with as far as matching hues go.
Next in line is the Oni Set. Which is a set of three, while everything is a set of two. Go figure the big and bad bashing demon would have the most stuff.
Anyway, first and probably the most recognizable representation of the Oni in the art world is the Oni Mask. This classic piece of Eastern Art is your typical Oni design. Red face, black horns, white dagger-like teeth, and a grin that isn't so much happy as it is menacing. At least they didn't go with the Jackie Chan's Adventures design. While it was a charming design, the way they animated the mask just made the whole thing into a demonic clown mask. It should also be noted that, unlike Jackie Chan's cartoon version, this mask has no facial hair. That being said, if your avatar has bangs, be prepared for some layering glitches.
While I'm on the subject of hair, the Oni Set comes with a wig! Your avatar can sport a bright red mane that only a demon could pull off. Apparently, a really hot demon as shown in the promotion art and in a certain anime about some teen who died and became a detective for the underworld or something. Thing is, I don't see this mane doing that for anyone. The hair is so massive it rivals several rock bands from the hair band era. On top of that, given the last wave of wigs, this one seems flat. There is very little detail in texture and even less in trying to mold it around your avatar's shoulder to form any kind of dimension. But, hey, if you can find a way to make it work, more power to you.
The last part in the Oni Set is the Oni Club. Here, you get a large spike club to hold in your hands. Yes, you can double equip. Yes, it looks nice, and the design is in line with how the culture represents said weapon for their own Oni. No, there's nothing else special about it. It's just a really big club with spikes at the end for you to smack n00bs with when you are form RPing.
I'm curious if anyone can actually pull off the Oni set given how much red it has. But most of the Asian outfits that would match both the mask and the mane are in the same family that is compatible with red despite what Avatar Talk forum regulars say about red not going with green. But, much like the Kitsune set, it suffers from volume. The mane by itself is enough to make or break any avatar's attempt at trying to be that hot demon everyone wants to have sex with. And the club is just kind of there.
The next set is the Yurei set.
The first part of this set is the mask, which is that of a ghostly lady. Similar in shape to the Oni Mask, this mask is a pale white with light blue and rose features just barely hinting at eyes and lips. No need to worry about bang layering glitches here, as the mask includes raven black bangs of the woman whom you are playing as. This is a beautiful mask, hands down. It's not only culturally and artistically accurate, but it's also very easy to match. Guys will have fun dressing in drag with this, while girls will enjoy finally being able to dress up as white-faced geishas. The only thing that would bother anyone (besides how freaky it looks) is how the black bangs don't match most of the black hair styles available.
The second half of the set is the robe commonly featured in Yurei art. I believe Bjork wore something similar to this in one of Matthew Barney's films, but I'm not sure. The robe is a ghostly white with red accents that are better shaded and model'd than the Oni Mane. Almost insultingly so. This robe puts pretty much every kimono and yukata available to shame. However, matching it with the Celestial Robe (sleeves) from the Gifts of the Goddess would probably prove difficult given how much white and how little red there is in the robe's colorring. However, by itself, it's an awe! My only problem is the lack of defining where a neck is on the avatar when you wear this.
I've said it several times already, but I'll say it anyway. Both items in this set are just beautiful. Together, they look just as lovely as the ghost lady they represent.
I wish I could say that this is the end of for this item, but there is a pair of hats that are kind of the odd balls. Their names don't have any connection to the spirits and demons found in the rest of the set (at least that I could research), so I won't bother meantioning them here. The two hats are the same design: a straw hat that ties under the chin and is shaped like a plate instead of like a cone as is the more common style seen out of the East. The only difference between the two is color. One is red, the other is black. What can they be used for? As expensive alternatives to the Straw Hat! Why are they with this set? No freaking clue!
Overall, it's nice to see some more cultural items on Gaia, particularly ones that feature the art of said cultures in an accurate and respectful way. The idea that these are also theatre costumes is a big plus as well, due to their high level of art within the culture. But that's about as far as the compliments go for this item. The amount of white or red seems to drown out any possibilites of matching with any other piece of clothing available short of either something that is from the same color pool or a similar aesthetic to the piece you put on. Another case of beautiful design defeating flexibility.
If you absolutely want a complete set, again, get only two. If you really want to be an Oni, then by all means, get three! But chances are you'll only want one or two items from this at the most.
No June 2007 Critique
I'm taking a summer class overseas and will be gone when the June items are announced. As such, I won't be able to do a critique for next month's items. If I actually am able to get the letters with them or not all depends on when I get back from Italy.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this review of what is apparently the Gaian Month of Demons this year.
So until I get back, caio!
 Zeek Slider · Wed May 16, 2007 @ 02:24am · 6 Comments |
