Sen's Art Main | They/Them | Bi Ace NB | Viet | 18+ Side and Rambles: @stepswowdsen | Profcard | Instagram | Bluesky | Twitter |
Your local LimGuda, IdaTatsu, XanLena, JuAli and KuroEne lovemail. Meow meow mf extraordinaire. I do scans on the side. KuroEne PFP by Akiko (@/Akiko_141). Banner by Pochi (@/pochikocchi).
Hi, I'm Sen 💜✨ Bi Ace NB 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Viet diaspora (Việt Kiều). I go by They/Them pronouns. Hobbyist digital fan artist. Adult.
Socials
Profcard | Carrd | Instagram | Bluesky | Twitter
Main art blog: @stepswordsen
18+ side and rambles blog: @stepswowdsen
I'm mainly active on Discord, Instagram, and Tumblr. I post all art WIPs and life updates on Insta stories. I post more art WIPs and rambles here on Tumblr.
Mutuals are allowed to ask for my Discord! 👍
Other
Languages: English, Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt), Japanese (日本語勉強中)
I'm currently learning Japanese and brushing up on my Viet!
Fun fact: My main faves are meow meow mfs 🐈⬛ Villains enjoyer! My fave charas are usually morally gray/evil charas, villains, and antagonists.
My username comes from Hoa sen (“lotus flower”) in Vietnamese. Hoa (“flower”) + sen (“lotus”) 🪷
Main Interests
Fate/Grand Order (FGO)
Katekyo Hitman Reborn (KHR)
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Magi)
Wadanohara and the Great Blue Sea (WATGBS AU)
Kagerou Project (KagePro)
I like many things, but I mainly draw for these!
Main Ships
LimGuda (Ashiya Douman (Limbo) x Fujimaru Ritsuka (Guda)) 💚🧡🐈⬛🍊
XanLena (Xanxus x Selena) ❤️💜🔥🪷
JuAli (Judar x Alibaba) 🖤❤️💛🐈⬛☀️🌙
IdaTatsu (Idate x Tatsumiya) 🖤🤍❤️💙🐬🐟
KuroEne (Kuroha (Saeru) x Ene (Enomoto Takane)) 🖤💙🐍🐇
My art and writing ideas are mainly centered around my fave characters and ships. I like to create ship AUs for my faves because I'm very passionate about them!
Fave Charas
Fave Masc Charas 🐈⬛✨
Fave Femme Charas 💗✨
Fave FGO Wives 💗✨
Side Blog
My 18+ side blog is @stepswowdsen
Mainly ramble posts, doodle WIPs, writing idea WIPs (dialogue scripts), and occasionally tagged NSFW (NSFT), are posted on my side blog.
18+ followers only on my side blog.
I usually cross post rambles from my side blog to my main blog once I get the chance to draw out my writing ideas, so I can pair my rambles with my art!
Art Tags
Main Art Tags
#my art #stepswordsen art
OC Related
#stepswordsen oc #oc #original character
Misc Tags
#suggestive #cw: horror
I'll try my best to tag anything, such as suggestive arts and artistic horror pieces.
Scan Tags
Main Scan Tags
#my scans #stepswordsen scans
Other People's Art
#other people's art
Includes commissions or gift artworks made for me, or edits of official arts.
Terms of Service (TOS)
✅ Using my fanarts for profile pictures and banner is totally OK with me! Please credit me if you can, with my username @stepswordsen
⭕ Please refrain from using any OC artworks without my permission. Ask me first.
❌ Do not use any of my artworks or writing ideas for AI training, crypto, NFTs, etc.
❌ Do not trace, edit, repost, or resell my artworks for any reason without my permission.
❌ Nothing made by Sen (@stepswordsen) may be used in any blockchain-related technology, to include NFTs, cryptocurrency, AI generated websites, or future inventions in the space.
Art Tools
Program: Clip Studio Paint (CSP)
Brushes: Oil Paint Flat brush (Ver 1.10.9 Default Sub Tools)
My main sketching/lining brush is CSP's Oil Paint Flat brush.
You can find it here: CSP's Pens & Brushes Ver.1.10.9
CSP's official default sub tool brushes (Ver 1.10.9) were removed or updated in later versions of CSP, so I reinstalled it. It's available for free.
I love using inky textured brushes 👍 So any similar brushes will work!
【KagePro】 KuroEne Hand Heart YCH Commission by MOT 🖤💙🐍🐇
"You and me, until the end of the world." ❤️🫶
Kuroha (Saeru) and Ene "You and Me" Hand Heart YCH Commission by MOT (@/tikkeul5)
MOT's Twitter: (X)
Ouroboros 🐍♾️
Ouroboros, the snake devouring its own tail, represents the eternal cycle of destruction and rebirth. Eternal return.
Intro Rambles ❤️
KuroEne Rough Sketch Concept by Sen (@/stepswordsen)
Original Composition (Poses) by MOT (@/tikkeul5)
I commissioned MOT to draw my beloved KuroEne as an Album Style Cover 🖤💙🐍🐇
MOT has a lovely art style, design, and aesthetic sense, so I wanted to request KuroEne with MOT's "You and Me" Hand Heart YCH (Your Character Here) Template. ❤️🫶
I created a rough sketch concept (up above) to serve as a visual guide, to help clarify details such as their design details, colours, expressions, and the chosen text. ✍️
I'm very touched that MOT accommodated all of my requests, and incorporated many elements from the rough sketch I included in the request form 🥺🙏
I was overjoyed when I received the final piece! They perfectly captured what I envisioned! 🥰💗💘
I sent the commission form at night, and saw the final artwork when I woke up in the morning. I was so stunned at how MOT delivered the art so quickly, with such high art quality. 🤯‼️
The rest of my rambles are under the cut~ ✨
Requests 🎨
MOT kindly incorporated all of my requests I specified! ☺️
I specified the expressions, colours, and text. 😌
I also requested for Ene to be drawn with open circle pupils, and for Saeru to have black nails (since it's an HC of mine), and for them both to be drawn with eyelashes 🖤💙
I also asked that the playback duration numbers to be changed to XX:XX.
The playback duration numbers XX:XX represents that it is infinite (never ending) ❌♾️
Their ship name is included as: クロエネ (KuroEne)
I was wondering what to use for the Album Cover's Main Title, and eventually settled on "Ouroboros ♾️"
I also considered ship epithets like "Last Dance" and "Love is Karma" because "Last Dance at World's End" is the name of my KuroEne AU.
But I figured it'd be more fitting to go with "Ouroboros ♾️" since it's just too cool as an Album Cover Title, and I wanted a unique ship epithet for each of my ships.
"Ouroboros ♾️" is immediately recognizable as them, and perfectly encapsulates their relationship. 🐍♾️
I love Ene being drawn with white open circle pupils. I think it really fits her cyber-esque design. 🌐
I always depict Saeru with black painted nails. It feels like such a natural HC, that I completely forget he doesn't have them in canon. It just fits him so well... 🤭🖤
I wanted Ene to have bright ice blue eyes against Saeru's vivid blood red. ❤️💙
Ene has circular pupils, so her design has softer shapes, in comparison to Saeru's sharp snake eye pupils. Saeru also has sharper shapes (messy hair tufts).
I also figured it'd fit for them to both have neutral, calm and composed expressions while gazing at each other intensely. 🤭💞
I was thinking of the colours having a atmosphere similar to these shots! 🖤❤️💙🤍
I wanted the colours to be reminiscent of late Outer Science Saeru with glowing red eyes and blood soaked hands… ❤️
Saeru with red eyes is a great detail, since it implies that Awakening Eyes is in use. It's also a cool reference to his bloodied hands and glowing red eyes in Outer Science. ❤️
That's also why I chose the colour of their hands and the BG colour to be red! 👍
Thoughts 💭
When I sent the comm form at night in my time, I was NOT expecting to see the finished art when I woke up in the morning. 🤯
The finalized art was sent after 8 hours. I was awed at MOT's drawing speed.
I SCREAMED. THEY'RE SO BEAUTIFUL 😭 🥹 🙏 🛐
THE COLOURS AND EXPRESSIONS ARE PERFECT 💘💞❣️
It's so gorgeous… The way MOT drew their design details is so pretty… 😭💘💞🙏
They perfectly captured what I had envisioned!
KuroEne doing the heart hands pose together is so sexy. 🫶
I love how they harmonized the colours. The expressions, colours, and details are stunning… 🥺🙏
The colours and atmosphere are perfect… The intense gaze on each other is just 😘💗❣️🫶
I figured that I'd make a rough sketch to clarify their design details, expressions, and the placement of colours and text. I sent it along with the request form ❣️🫶
I'm very touched that they used elements from my rough sketch (how Saeru and Ene's hair, eyes, facial markings, etc., are drawn) 🤭
I love the contrast of Saeru's vivid blood red against Ene's ice blue for opposite (opposing) colours~ ❤️💙
With Saeru taking black/red and Ene taking white/blue colours, they have perfect contrasting colours. The visual contrast is so perfect… 🖤❤️💙🤍
The design sense and aesthetic are just impeccable… 🖤💙
Review ✨
This is the review I sent~ 💖✨
The artwork is so beautiful~ I love it so much! 🥹💞 You captured the characters’ expressions, colours, and details, so perfectly! 🖤💙
This is my first time using CREPE as a client. I sent a commission request before going to bed, and the artwork arrived when I woke up in the morning. ‼️
I was speechless that you finished the artwork so quickly! Your work speed is so fast, and the quality is amazing! It is exactly as I imagined. ☺️🙏
The atmosphere is incredible. Your art style, aesthetic sense, and attention to detail are so amazing. It exceeded my expectations! 😭💞
I’m super happy! I keep staring at this masterpiece 🥺💖 The intense gazes and expressions are just too good… 🫶
You adjusted the text colour to fit the design, which I love, because the bright red colour really makes the artwork stand out. ❤️
Incredibly kind, and easy to communicate with. Thank you for accommodating my additional requests, such as Saeru's black nails 🙏
I was so touched that you incorporated all of my requests. You even included elements from the sketch I included as a rough guideline. 🥹💖
Thank you so much for the amazing commission! 🥰💗 I will definitely order again in the future~ ✨
I wanted to send a tip to show my appreciation. 🙏 The final artwork is truly outstanding. 💙🖤
Thank you very much once again~ 🥰💞 I will definitely be back as a customer in the future. ☺️🙏
【KagePro】 MaryEne Snow Day YCH Commission by Hika 🩷💙🎀🐇
Kozakura Mary and Ene Snow Day YCH Commission by Hika (@/onigiwi2namayo)
Hika's Twitter: (X)
Hika's VGen: (X)
In accordance with Hika's Terms of Service (TOS), editing, using, or reposting these arts, in any way, is prohibited without explicit permission from Hika, and me, the commissioner.
Intro
MaryEne on a Winter Date building a bunny snowman together 🐰☃️❄️
I asked for the bunny snowman to have a blue, pink, and white scarf. Trans flag colours. I love my trans femme Mary HC 💙🩷🤍🏳️⚧️
Ene with a determined, focused, locked in >:P expression while Mary looks at Ene lovingly with a soft smile :)
After my KuroEne Snow Day YCH comm from Hika, I decided to ask for MaryEne this time ^v^
MaryEne is one of my fave KagePro ships and rare pair 💗
Energetic x Shy, Snake x Bunny, Seemingly Opposites - Deep Down So Similar, Sweet x Sweet
Let's go yuri win!!! 💗🌈🏳️🌈
They look SO cute!! I love Ene's determined locked in >:P expression and Mary's soft smile while looking at Ene :)
I'm so happy! I always wanted MaryEne to bond too 😭💗 I'm thankful to see the two of them together wahhh!!! They're so soft and wholesome together.
They look so pretty and petite! Mary's hair looks so fluffy too. My cuties!!!
Feila said that in MaryEne, it'd be Mary -> Ene, with Mary being the one quietly crushing on Ene. It's mutual imo but in my head, Mary is the deeper piner in their relationship
As Feila said, MaryEne is technically also Snake/Bunny, since Mary is 1/4 Medusa, but it's the complete opposite of KuroEne since it's a really soft ship with hints of tragedy.
KuroEne is also much more aggressive, intense, thrilling, and dangerous, as a ship. It's filled to the brim with conflict and tension.
I love the cute pastel colours. Blue pink and white is such a dreamy colour combo. Bubblegum pastel candy flavoured~
I think it's really neat how Hika uses more coloured lines with the MaryEne comm, so it gives it a softer look compared to the KuroEne comm.
I find it interesting how Hika coloured more of the inner lines this time for the MaryEne art to give it a softer look.
Meanwhile, the KuroEne art has dark blue~ish black outlines to fit Kuroha/Saeru better.
I think Ene would be able to withstand the cold better. Since Mary is more strongly affected by the cold, she's wearing a warm winter jacket here ^^
I'm always pleasantly surprised by how fast Hika's turnaround time is. I got the sketch and colour WIPs much faster than expected.
I asked Hika for minor colour adjustments to give the art a more pink~ish hue, so Ene and Mary's colours look so good with a pink hue~ The bright blue fits Ene a lot.
Misc Rambles
Takane/Ene, Mary, and Ayano are my top fave KagePro femme charas, so I thought MaryEne/MaryTaka would be really dreamy.
I started shipping them because of their relationship dynamic and interaction potential and began making MaryEne AU ideas of them. Their design aesthetics are so dreamy together.
Mary seems like the type that'd follow Ene's lead and get dragged into her shenanigans (and bad advice)
They can go clothes shopping for cute outfits, and Mary can introduce Ene to making flower bouquets, tea parties, and journaling/scrapbooking.
Ene can introduce Mary to her video games and electronics and all the shenanigans she can do inside Mary's phone. Imagining Mary playing around with electronics and playing video games is cute too.
I think it'd be cute to imagine the energetic Ene helping the shy, reserved Mary to come out of her shell more and be more comfortable.
Mary and Takane/Ene also have a character parallel with dealing with social isolation and loneliness. I think they can find some deep resonance with each other over that.
I feel like if Mary tried to confront Ene about her real feelings/how she really feels (just in general), then Ene would try to hide it beneath a cheery, upbeat, bubbly exterior due to her avoidance tendency (especially with more honest feelings)
My Message
Thank you very much for the wonderful commission! 💙🩷🤍
You always perfectly capture my requests. It looks amazing!
They look SO cute! I love Ene's determined focused >:P expression and Mary's soft smile while looking at Ene :)
I love how you drew their expressions! Mary's hair looks so fluffy 💗💞💖
The colours you chose harmonize so well! Thank you for being so patient and accommodating with minor adjustments. I really appreciate it.
The soft pastel colours look great! It fits them very well~
I hope you have a nice day! 💗
VGen Review
Great communication and feedback!
I love the soft pastel colours you chose~ Gives the art such a nice bubblegum candy aesthetic~ 💙🩷🤍
They're so cute and pretty! I love how you drew their expressions!
Hika has a wonderful chibi style and has great range with the characters she can draw.
Hika always delivers such amazing work! My commission turned out so cute 🥺💗💘
Thank you very much!
Commission Rambles
These were the refs I sent.
I asked Hika to draw MaryEne in the Winter outfits used for the MekaDan chibi keychains by Highspeed Fujimori.
Trying to decide between KuroEne or MaryEne at first was so hard, because I think they're both cute. And I was seriously tempted with AyaEne too
I would LOVE to commission MaryEne and AyaEne in casual outfits too. These fits are SO cute
MaryEne's outfits go so well together. Ene's buns and Mary's twintails and blue dress and ribbons...
Feila said Ene's definitely the energetic playful type (>v<) while both Mary and Kuroha would be more calm, so Ene would be the one standing and the other two would be on their knees
Winter Anthology is feeding us with the lowkey MaryEne and KuroEne illusts
Snow Day KuroEne and MaryEne... Snow Day HebiEne 🐍🐇
Commission Rambles
I sent this form.
Hika sent me the sketch, then the coloured version.
The outfit details and expressions of the sketch were perfect so I gave the OK to proceed.
When Hika sent the coloured version, she asked if I wanted any minor colour adjustments.
I wanted to balance their pinks and blues more (pastel pink, pastel blue, and white), so I asked to make Ene's colours a brighter blue (closer to cyan), increase the pink hue on her headphones and leggings, and to shift Mary's palette to a more pink hue.
I asked for her to add Ene's blue -> white jacket gradient, and gave this colour guide
I figured the colour suggestions would be more helpful to the artist and would give a clearer sense of what I'd like the colours to be.
Hika's always accommodating with the minor changes I ask for ^^
"I want to take a bite out of you, find out what you’re thinking."
Intro Rambles 💗
KuroEne with MR2 Saeru 🖤❤️💙🐍 🐇
Snake go mlem 🐍
Saeru can use Awakening Eyes to change his body into whatever he wants. That's genderfluid swag to me 🏳️⚧️🌈‼️
I headcanon that he can transform his body to have a long forked snake tongue like many demon charas do. 😈
I love the expressions so much... 😚 I love how the colours turned out too 🤭 I love using saturated colours 💓
This really captures what I had in mind for their Red/Blue visual contrast. I love when Saeru takes more blood red tones compared to Ene's cool blues. ❤️💙
I wanted to draw KuroEne in traditional clothing~ 👘
I'm planning for them to wear Việt Phục inspired outfits (or loosely inspired EA/SEA fashion)
We'll see. I'll play around and experiment 💝
I just wanna post my WIP progress shots and post my rough coloured sketch drafts atm 🙏
Design Inspiration 🎨
The hair and horn shapes are inspired by the lovely MR2 (Manga Route 2) Saeru redesign by Dirtsooop (@/dirtsooop) ❤️
I love this redesign version that takes more inspiration from Azami's design, the fluffier hair, and sharper, devil-like horn shapes... ❣️
I prefer to draw MR2 Saeru with fluffier hair and sharper shape language in general, since it fits my art style more, and also cuz villains are usually designed with sharp pointy shapes to indicate a sense of danger. 😈✨
I think it fits him so well since villain charas are usually designed with sharp, pointy shape language to indicate a sense of danger.
It inspired me to do an MR2 redesign where he has more Azami inspired traditional clothes 👘😌
You can read under the cut if you'd like to see my art process (WIPs) and rambles about my HC version of MR2 Saeru with traditional clothing inspirations. 👘
Art Process 🎨
Alt Versions 🎨
Tested different gradient maps :>
I added some new ones that adds some post processing effects. They're also nice, but I prefer my more subdued colours up top 👍
The coloured line Auto Action I use lowers the lines opacity, uses Gaussian Blur on the lines, adds Saturation, then sets Layer Mode to Colour Burn or Multiply.
Colour Burn has a super nice vibrant effect on the lines, but it doesn't work on near white colours, so gotta fix that ✍️
Multiply lowers the lines' opacity so it blends in more with the colours underneath, has more of a subdued look. Multiply has dark lineart but lowered opacity.
I wanna combine aspects from both eventually to have both the glowy lines on the outside, and softer look on the lines 💞
MR2 Saeru HCs 🐍👘
In my HC version of MR2 Saeru, he wears traditional clothing and takes more design inspirations from Azami's design. 💗
I love everything down to the face. I don't vibe with the outfit tho, so I'd just draw my redesign/HC version instead. ✍️
Cuz I fuck with everything on this design EXCEPT for the canon design's crop top and X-shaped strap (and entire clothes, tbh)
I love the black snake scales on his face, the cute little tufts of hair and black horns, the braid in the back that looks like a scorpion's tail, red sclera and red gradient limbs, and the white sash with bloodstains on it. 🥰
Just not everything else 😭
In my HCs, he wears a long, thin floating scarf loosely inspired by the Chinese hanfu shawl Pibo (披帛), as well as the Japanese floating scarf, Tenne (纏衣/天衣) or Hagoromo (羽衣) 🤍🧣
Tenne/Hagoromo are long, thin floating scarves normally depicted with Japanese deities, gods, and celestial beings (and also, sometimes demons and youkai in animanga and games).
I HC he wears them around his arms. We'll see if I add them or not here 👍
I'm planning to redraw the horn shapes and make them more detailed and slightly more twisted looking... ✍️
I'd make him take more inspo from his Design Poll outfit and Azami's clothes.
He's an ancient being, so I'd rather him wear traditional clothes instead.
I'd make him have a white floating scarf around his arms. I'll probably play around with the outfit design
In my redesign, I'd give him a Pibo (hanfu shawl) inspired scarf to wear around his arms.
I like the shape language of Áo tứ thân (lit. "four piece/part dress")
I feel like I'd draw him in this Áo tứ thân but in black and red instead.
So he'd mainly be wearing a black cross collared top with red accents ❌
I'd have him wear black pants, white sashes tied around the waist and over his arms, and have the black front panel be dyed with a red gradient at the bottom.
And his usual form can wear a Áo dài (lit. "long dress") in black and yellow colours.
Art Rambles ✍️
I drew the initial sketch in April 2025, then redrew the expressions to the current version in July 2025. Recently filled in the colours for it 👍
The only reason why I didn't have his red sclera with black pupils was cuz it'd lose readability, especially with my style of drawing eyes.
I don't draw very big eyes in my style, so I just made his eyes red.
I'll adjust the shadows and coloured lines effect later! And ofc I'll also clip the airbrush layers to the colours, and paint over stuff too.
These are WIPs for now, so I'll post updated versions whenever I get the time.
Tried to colour with a different lighting method recently! I also tested a bunch of different gradient maps 💗
I love the glowy lines effect with either Colour Burn or Multiply 🤗
I used Gray Multiply layer and Overlay layer with airbrushed saturated colours. This method is so OP for doing dramatic lighting 🤯💥
At first, I wasn't sure how it'd look, but it starts coming together when you start adding more saturated colours.
I prefer this over the initial version I did. The colours look SO pleasing 🥰
It's so easy and quick to do. Gonna colour like this from now on 👍
Also, I'm not sure how this looks on other screens. My monitor lightens the colours considerably compared to my laptop and phone, so I brightened the art a bit with Adjustment Layers (Level Correction and Tone Curve)
Art Plans
I'm waiting for when I get more free time to adjust some things :>
I'll refine and redraw some stuff (redraw Saeru's horns, Ene's hair and headphones, adjust the light) 🫰
And I'll combine the coloured lines effect to have both Colour Burn's saturated glowy effect on the outer lines and Multiply's softer effect on the lines 🙏
Ngl I was debating whether to make his sleeves that huge that big tbh cuz it hides Ene almost entirely but I love how the clothing folds look… 💗
Gotta say I do love the way his sleeves lovingly drape over Ene. 🤭💞
Perhaps she could be clutching onto his sleeves…
I'm pretty obsessed with "Chara's long hair or sleeves lovingly drapes over their lover like a wedding veil" in compositions. 💞
I've been saving this art for when I have time. I wanted to decide on the sketch first. I usually redraw hair, face, eyes, clothes, etc., multiple times and then decide on the best one 👍
Quote
Quote comes from this Quotes bot.
Basically, people find and collect their fave quotes from poets, various media, etc., to assign to their fave charas/ships, then have the tweets send hourly/daily from a collection of quotes 💖
A SK rewrite AU originally made by me and my friend Cinna in 2022.
A dark evil SK AU where Ren is never redeemed, and finds another type of salvation with Hao.
A corrupted Ren AU, where Hao (the main villain of SK and most powerful shaman), ends up finding Ren before Yoh (the SK protagonist), and eventually convinces him to join him as his ally.
Ren kills his dad En, aided by Hao (who encourages his bloodlust), becomes Hao's right hand, and they fall in love ❤️
You can read the whole ramble post here: (X)
This AU originated from that one SK: Ch. 135 scene where Hao tries to recruit Ren to join him.
Hao: You'll be mine, someday. I look forward to a more agreeable response next time, Ren…
ハオ：だけどお前はいずれに僕のものになる
ハオ：次はいい返事を期待してるよ
ハオ：蓮ーーー
Then we ran with their ship potential and made a whole AU.
Their Evil Charming Flirty x Cold Aloof Stoic tsun dynamic vibes are impeccable to me… 🤭
Cat to cat communication… 🐈⬛️
Misc Rambles
(Disabling reblogs cuz I still plan to redraw stuff in a future post 🙏)
Quick doodle redraw from 2022 🤗
They are my absolute beloveds from SK! My top 2 SK faves 🤭❤️💜
My top SK faves are Hao, Ren, Horohoro, Jeanne, and Lyserg in that order. 💗
I had an idea of Hao leaning in to kiss him while grabbing his wrist and pinning him to the wall… 😌
I'd love to draw that ofc, but that'd take some more effort.
I'm busy with school atm, so I just did a few quick doodles for now. 👍
I'm trying to get the hang of drawing SK charas in my style, so I can draw more for our HaoRen AU ✌️
Redrew the faces in like 20 minutes. Softened the proportions and made the eyes bigger.
I think the new version fits more. The eyes feel more expressive
I still have to redraw some stuff, but I like it a lot more ✌️
I missed them so much! 🥺💘
I really wanna draw more scenes from our HaoRen AU. 🙏
I also write for it too! I come up with scenario ideas and put them in a huge masterpost doc ✌️
If you'd like to see it, feel free to ask me, and I'll send it, hehe 💓
Hoping to draw my Ren multiships (HaoRen, HoroRen, RenMei) too 💗 I also write and come up with ideas for them occasionally on the side.
I also had an alt version and expression (with rings in the eyes, and a different mouth)
Decided to draw the charas with softer facial features than I usually do
I think Hao's chara design fits the best without ringed eyes (considering how his eyes are just drawn in canon), but the version with ringed eyes is also nice too
"I want to take a bite out of you, find out what you’re thinking."
Intro Rambles 💗
KuroEne with MR2 Saeru 🖤❤️💙🐍 🐇
Snake go mlem 🐍
Saeru can use Awakening Eyes to change his body into whatever he wants. That's genderfluid swag to me 🏳️⚧️🌈‼️
I headcanon that he can transform his body to have a long forked snake tongue like many demon charas do. 😈
I love the expressions so much... 😚 I love how the colours turned out too 🤭 I love using saturated colours 💓
This really captures what I had in mind for their Red/Blue visual contrast. I love when Saeru takes more blood red tones compared to Ene's cool blues. ❤️💙
I wanted to draw KuroEne in traditional clothing~ 👘
I'm planning for them to wear Việt Phục inspired outfits (or loosely inspired EA/SEA fashion)
We'll see. I'll play around and experiment 💝
I just wanna post my WIP progress shots and post my rough coloured sketch drafts atm 🙏
Design Inspiration 🎨
The hair and horn shapes are inspired by the lovely MR2 (Manga Route 2) Saeru redesign by Dirtsooop (@/dirtsooop) ❤️
I love this redesign version that takes more inspiration from Azami's design, the fluffier hair, and sharper, devil-like horn shapes... ❣️
I prefer to draw MR2 Saeru with fluffier hair and sharper shape language in general, since it fits my art style more, and also cuz villains are usually designed with sharp pointy shapes to indicate a sense of danger. 😈✨
I think it fits him so well since villain charas are usually designed with sharp, pointy shape language to indicate a sense of danger.
It inspired me to do an MR2 redesign where he has more Azami inspired traditional clothes 👘😌
You can read under the cut if you'd like to see my art process (WIPs) and rambles about my HC version of MR2 Saeru with traditional clothing inspirations. 👘
Art Process 🎨
Alt Versions 🎨
Tested different gradient maps :>
I added some new ones that adds some post processing effects. They're also nice, but I prefer my more subdued colours up top 👍
The coloured line Auto Action I use lowers the lines opacity, uses Gaussian Blur on the lines, adds Saturation, then sets Layer Mode to Colour Burn or Multiply.
Colour Burn has a super nice vibrant effect on the lines, but it doesn't work on near white colours, so gotta fix that ✍️
Multiply lowers the lines' opacity so it blends in more with the colours underneath, has more of a subdued look. Multiply has dark lineart but lowered opacity.
I wanna combine aspects from both eventually to have both the glowy lines on the outside, and softer look on the lines 💞
MR2 Saeru HCs 🐍👘
In my HC version of MR2 Saeru, he wears traditional clothing and takes more design inspirations from Azami's design. 💗
I love everything down to the face. I don't vibe with the outfit tho, so I'd just draw my redesign/HC version instead. ✍️
Cuz I fuck with everything on this design EXCEPT for the canon design's crop top and X-shaped strap (and entire clothes, tbh)
I love the black snake scales on his face, the cute little tufts of hair and black horns, the braid in the back that looks like a scorpion's tail, red sclera and red gradient limbs, and the white sash with bloodstains on it. 🥰
Just not everything else 😭
In my HCs, he wears a long, thin floating scarf loosely inspired by the Chinese hanfu shawl Pibo (披帛), as well as the Japanese floating scarf, Tenne (纏衣/天衣) or Hagoromo (羽衣) 🤍🧣
Tenne/Hagoromo are long, thin floating scarves normally depicted with Japanese deities, gods, and celestial beings (and also, sometimes demons and youkai in animanga and games).
I HC he wears them around his arms. We'll see if I add them or not here 👍
I'm planning to redraw the horn shapes and make them more detailed and slightly more twisted looking... ✍️
I'd make him take more inspo from his Design Poll outfit and Azami's clothes.
He's an ancient being, so I'd rather him wear traditional clothes instead.
I'd make him have a white floating scarf around his arms. I'll probably play around with the outfit design
In my redesign, I'd give him a Pibo (hanfu shawl) inspired scarf to wear around his arms.
I like the shape language of Áo tứ thân (lit. "four piece/part dress")
I feel like I'd draw him in this Áo tứ thân but in black and red instead.
So he'd mainly be wearing a black cross collared top with red accents ❌
I'd have him wear black pants, white sashes tied around the waist and over his arms, and have the black front panel be dyed with a red gradient at the bottom.
And his usual form can wear a Áo dài (lit. "long dress") in black and yellow colours.
Art Rambles ✍️
I drew the initial sketch in April 2025, then redrew the expressions to the current version in July 2025. Recently filled in the colours for it 👍
The only reason why I didn't have his red sclera with black pupils was cuz it'd lose readability, especially with my style of drawing eyes.
I don't draw very big eyes in my style, so I just made his eyes red.
I'll adjust the shadows and coloured lines effect later! And ofc I'll also clip the airbrush layers to the colours, and paint over stuff too.
These are WIPs for now, so I'll post updated versions whenever I get the time.
Tried to colour with a different lighting method recently! I also tested a bunch of different gradient maps 💗
I love the glowy lines effect with either Colour Burn or Multiply 🤗
I used Gray Multiply layer and Overlay layer with airbrushed saturated colours. This method is so OP for doing dramatic lighting 🤯💥
At first, I wasn't sure how it'd look, but it starts coming together when you start adding more saturated colours.
I prefer this over the initial version I did. The colours look SO pleasing 🥰
It's so easy and quick to do. Gonna colour like this from now on 👍
Also, I'm not sure how this looks on other screens. My monitor lightens the colours considerably compared to my laptop and phone, so I brightened the art a bit with Adjustment Layers (Level Correction and Tone Curve)
Art Plans
I'm waiting for when I get more free time to adjust some things :>
I'll refine and redraw some stuff (redraw Saeru's horns, Ene's hair and headphones, adjust the light) 🫰
And I'll combine the coloured lines effect to have both Colour Burn's saturated glowy effect on the outer lines and Multiply's softer effect on the lines 🙏
Ngl I was debating whether to make his sleeves that huge that big tbh cuz it hides Ene almost entirely but I love how the clothing folds look… 💗
Gotta say I do love the way his sleeves lovingly drape over Ene. 🤭💞
Perhaps she could be clutching onto his sleeves…
I'm pretty obsessed with "Chara's long hair or sleeves lovingly drapes over their lover like a wedding veil" in compositions. 💞
I've been saving this art for when I have time. I wanted to decide on the sketch first. I usually redraw hair, face, eyes, clothes, etc., multiple times and then decide on the best one 👍
Quote
Quote comes from this Quotes bot.
Basically, people find and collect their fave quotes from poets, various media, etc., to assign to their fave charas/ships, then have the tweets send hourly/daily from a collection of quotes 💖
I like to imagine KuroEne playing Master/Servant roleplay games where Saeru copies Ene's "Master" (ご主人, Goshujin) shtick towards Shintaro, and calls her Master (ご主人様, Goshujin-sama) 💗
Sadistic evil morally questionable (or morally bankrupt) meow meow charas are my favourite character type… 🐈⬛💞
I'm happy with my recent art style 🤭💞
I've also been sketching things like hair through silhouette more often cuz it helps me get the shapes I want 🙏
I love both expressions, but I especially love the 1st one 🫶
Licking lips expression is so fun to draw 🤭 💗
Ene's (//>~<//) expression is so cute!! 😚 My wifey 💙🐇💘
KuroEne HCs 👗👘
I HC Saeru as NB genderfluid (masc-aligned pref) 🖤🐍
It is a very personal HC to me 🥰❤️
Saeru is a being older than the world itself since he existed in a black void with Azami even before she created the world, and can use Awakening Eyes to change his body into anything he wants.
That's genderfluid swag 🏳️⚧️💗🤭✌️
I HC he likes to do roleplay and dress up games with Ene 🖤💙
I imagine Saeru likes to match clothes with Ene... They'll go out shopping and coordinate their wardrobes to match.
Ene's canon clothes (blue jersey with white stripes) are based on Mizuiro (水色, "water coloured; aqua") fashion aesthetic, and Tenshi Kaiwai (天使界隈, "angel community") and Cyber Kei J-fashion styles 💙🤍
Mizuiro fashion has a focus on light blue and white colours. So she'd pick blue, white, and black clothes with a cyber/futuristic feel and big loose sleeves. I think she'd also like techwear 💗
Saeru picks clothing with BW/monochrome colours (black, gray, white, often paired with an accent colour like yellow or red) 🖤🤍🩶❤️
I HC that Saeru mainly likes traditional clothing since he's an ancient being 👘
He also likes street fashion such as techwear, monochrome fashion, goth/gothic, lolita, gothic lolita, goth punk, visual kei, etc.
He could even pick clothes from her wardrobe but in bigger sizes and different colours, since he can change his appearance and clothes at will with Awakening Eyes in MR2 too.
I put alt versions of the expression I drew under the cut~
Alt Versions
Art Rambles ✍️
(December 2025 doodle)
Quick practice doodle from a few days ago.
Will be slowly archiving the rest of my art here~
I tried using screentones at first, but I didn't like how it looked close up, so I actually think this doodle looks better in BW colours.
I quickly sketched the hair 5 times and settled on the current version.
I drew a couple different versions of the eyes too, but I'm just gonna post my faves here ❤️
The more rectangular shaped eyelashes one (last one) is also nice, but I prefer the OG eyes I drew.
I'm kinda indecisive whether I want a ringed pattern in his eyes… It's a stylistic choice I've been doing for a while now.
I think either one looks fine, but I'm leaning to without, so it emphasizes his sharp snake eye pupils more.
Also ngl I feel like I'm always indecisive with how I draw facial features. I change it depending on the art/chara and depending on my mood.
My art style has huge art inspirations from Akira Amano (KHR) and Yana Toboso (Kuro), so I experiment with different shapes when I draw non-KHR charas.
I drew this doodle quickly so I'll definitely redraw the clothes later lol. I focus on making the face look good first 👍
I also just realized he should have a forked snake tongue. I'll draw another alt version of the expression later 🐍 ✌️
Though Ig he can just change his body into anything he wants with Awakening Eyes…
【KagePro】 KuroEne Bridal Carry Commission by Pochi 🖤💙🐍🐇
Intro
Kuroha (Saeru) and Ene (Takane) Half Body Commission by Pochi (@/pochikocchi)
Pochi's VGen Showcase: (X)
I commissioned Pochi to draw KuroEne with Saeru bridal carrying Ene 🖤💙🐍🐇💐
I requested for them to be drawn in their Design Poll and Seek at Mekakucity outfits 💖
I also requested them to give Saeru a smug flirty smirk with fangs showing, and to make him buff with black painted nails, and for Ene to have a flustered blush with her hands near her face ☺️
Pochi also included a little chibi freebie doodle, which is very sweet of them 💗
I love chibi Ene's shy flustered expression and Saeru's smug mischievous look... My little skrunklies 🥺🖤💙
Thoughts
I'm super happy to get the chance to commission them to draw my beloveds 🖤💙
The final piece is utterly breathtaking 😭💘 Everything about it is so perfect!! 🥹💞🙏
The composition, poses, expressions, colours, rendering, and lighting are all super gorgeous!! It captures their vibes so perfectly, I'm in awe!! 💓
I made it into my wallpaper so I can stare at it ☺️
I sent a tip to show my appreciation 🙏
Thank you to Feila for helping me come up with comp, pose, and expression ideas 💖
The rest of my rambles are under the cut ✨
Misc Rambles
I jumped when I saw this 😭
My wife and her crazy bf look so perfect 😘💞
(Zooms full speed at the way they drew Ene's thighs and Saeru's changshan tiddy window) 🫶
Black painted nails fits Saeru so well. They portrayed my vision so perfectly~ ✨
I'm happy beyond words to receive such a stunning piece of my beloved OTP in my fave outfits of theirs 💗🫶
Pochi has SUCH great colour sense!! 💝
I'd love to get the chance to commission them to draw KuroEne and my Ene multiships as well as other OTPs in the future 💞🙏
VGen Review
The art turned out so beautiful OMG 😭🥹💘❣️ I’m super happy! They look absolutely stunning! 🖤💙
The piece outdid my expectations, I was utterly blown away by how gorgeous the artwork is! 💖 They incorporated all of my requests and captured their poses, expressions, and vibes so perfectly! 💗🫶
The composition, colours, and lighting are SO amazing! 😭💘🫶 Truly went above and beyond to deliver such an amazing piece ✨
Very kind and easy to work with, receptive to feedback and great communication 💖 Will definitely be back to commission again in the future! ☺️💞
My Message
This was the message I left for Pochi! 💖🌟✨
Thank you so much again for the lovely commission! 💗💗
Kuroha (Saeru) and Ene look SO beautiful in your style 🖤💙
I love everything about the colours, rendering, lighting, poses, and expressions. 😭💘🫶
The piece is beautifully composed! Their expressions are so perfect, I love how you drew Kuroha’s smug flirty expression and Ene’s flustered blush. 💗💞
You incorporated all of my requests and perfectly captured what I envisioned (compositions, poses, expressions, vibes, buff Kuroha with black painted nails) ☺️💖🙏
I love it so much 😭💞 I'm super happy with how it turned out!! 🫶
The art turned out absolutely stunning 🤗🫶 They look so dreamy with the glowy lighting 🥺‼️❣️
OMG the usage of colour (saturated and muted tones) and textures are so good. The colours harmonize so well! ❣️
The glowy lighting, sky, clouds, sparkles and water splash textures in the BG fits them so well ✨
I was also pleasantly surprised the characters were recognized. ☺️
My beloveds look absolutely amazing in your style! 😭🥺🖤💙💞
PSG AU: Kuroha (Saeru) and Ene 🖤💙🐍🐇
Demon x Angel 😈😇🪽
Intro
Demon Saeru and Angel Ene 🖤 💙
PSG style Kuroha (Saeru) and Ene 🖤❤️💙
Inspired by Panty and Stocking (PSG) 💗
This is more like a style fusion (my style with some inspirations from PSG)
I love PSG's art style and OST SOOO much! 💗 I strive to have as strong shape language as PSG one day 🙏🥰💞💘
So I've been trying to practice the style recently 👍
PSG style would have more simplified angular shapes, bigger lower limbs and hands and legs, etc.
I've been listening to the PSG and NewPSG OST so often, especially Divine, I Want You, and Reach Up 🎵
I strive to have semi-SD/chibi stylization as strong as PSG one day 🙏
Art Rambles
These are my personal faves from the batch 💗
The eyes in the first two are how I'd usually draw, and the rest are more PSG inspired 💖
I especially love the demon wings Saeru one 🖤❤️
I think these are the best ones, since I spent more time on them :3
I also think these have the strongest shapes of the ones I did.
I'll be cleaning up these doodles eventually. I just wanted to get the rough sketches down for now! 🌟✨
PSG AU: KuroEne 🖤💙😈😇
I wanna draw PSG AU Demon/Angel KuroEne eventually 🖤💙
Ene is my angel, and her evil snake demon bf can come along for the ride 😈😇
I really wanna draw PSG AU KuroEne based on PSG's transformation scenes 💗💖
Obsessed with the idea of a sensual PSG style KuroEne transformation with Saeru and Ene taking off their clothes, and them brandishing guns 🔫
I want Demon x Angel to compete with each other!!! 💗
When I get the time to draw it, it'll be in my usual style, cuz I'm way more used to drawing in it :3
It'd be so hot. I want it so bad!! 🙏🛐
Though it'd take more effort from me to draw. Hopefully I can try sketching it sometime this month or next? Since I wanna work on my current WIPs first 🙏
The rest is under the cut as usual 💖
My ideas are specifically based on these frames of the Angel Sisters and Daemon Sisters 💗
Misc Rambles
Just gonna repost some old doodles cuz I'll be finishing up finals soon👍
I originally doodled these in October, and recently sketched a few new ones.
I just wanna update here with my KuroEne doodle log 🖤💙
I wanted to refine how I draw in this semi-SD/chibi style first, so I tested with Saeru 👍
When I get the time, I wanna draw a matching Ene to match with each one of my Saeru doodles 💙
I was experimenting with many different eye styles and hair shapes.
Whenever I get the time to clean up my sketches, I'll post the revised versions 👍
Plans to Redraw
I sketched SO many, probably 20 - 30+ in total 😭
Not including all of my sketch attempts here. Will probably put them in another post (including the ones I left unfinished and scrapped)
I don't draw as angular as PSG style, so I was testing different ways to draw his hair
I'll redraw Ene's expression and pose since I want them to match 🥰💞
I'd like to redraw some hair, clothing and headphone details eventually 👍
I'll adjust the proportions and redraw the limbs longer for Saeru when I get the chance...
KuroEne's height difference is 25 cm (182 cm vs. 157 cm) 🤯💥
So the bottom of his chin would be near where the top of her head is.
Though I'm gonna redraw Ene's expression and pose to make her art match with Saeru's art. I might redraw her legs as scattered pixels rather than actual shoes... 🤔💭
I need to simplify more and go more angular with my shapes. I want bigger (wider) shapes for Ene's sleeves
I'm tempted to draw with silhouette (ink with black and erase as needed) so then I can more easily get the shapes I want 🙏
"Your loyal servant is at your service ❤️ Master~ 😘🫶💘"
「この忠実なる下僕、貴方にお仕えします ❤️ ご主人様～ 😘🫶💘」
Rambles
Maid Saeru and Ene 🎀💝
Quick doodle from August.
I love imagining KuroEne doing maid roleplay and dress up games! 🖤💙
I like to imagine maid Saeru acting as Ene's servant, and vice versa with maid Ene acting cutesy 💞
I think he has a lot of fun playing up to the "humble and obedient servant" act while they play roleplay games together.
Saeru calls her "Master" (ご主人様, Goshujin-sama) on purpose just to tease her, since Ene calls Shintaro "Master" (ご主人, Goshujin)
So it's an intentional play on Ene's Master shtick with Shintaro.
Saeru: Master~ 😚❤️🫶
Saeru: (Blows a kiss)
Saeru: ✧ (｡ゝᴗ•) ᯓᡣ𐭩～
Ene: You're just copying me!!
Ene: ٩(๑`^´๑)۶ =3
I am busy right now with final assignments and exam prep, but I'll redraw some parts eventually.
I'm probably gonna redraw Ene so she's front facing and he's kissing her cheek instead 😚
I did draw him with headphones at first, but they overlapped with the frilly maid headdress band. I'd have to take that off if I wanted his headphones 🤔
Quick doodle I drew back in August 2025.
I wanna draw more KuroEne with maid Saeru (and vice versa) eventually 🖤💙
While playing up to the maid role, I imagine Saeru copies Ene's "Master" shtick with Shintaro just to tease her and see her flustered reactions. 🤭
When he plays up to the role in their maid roleplay games together, acting all humble and obedient on purpose, Saeru calls himself, "Your loyal/devoted/faithful servant" (貴方の忠実なる下僕, Anata no chuujitsu naru geboku) to Ene.
But in terms of English wording, you usually hear, "Your loyal servant; your most faithful servant..." which I chose since it sounds more natural to me.
When it comes to Saeru and his S/O... I think "Devotion" sums up what his character is driven by, the best.
Someone like him, with his monstrous inhuman nature, distance from humanity, and twisted love (obsession), the only things he has left in the end are his devotion and obsession.
Misc Rambles
Just realized I haven't posted here since July.
I'll try to post more often. I've been doing well ^^ I'm just super busy with school, so I've been forgetting to update here.
Short post for now! I'll eventually start queueing my old art posts and recent ones when I get the time. I have a super big backlog with art and ramble posts here
I've loved 9/6 and all related ships for over 10 years now 🥰💞
KuroEne was baby Sen's 1st ship that I was OBSESSED with as a 12 year old, and after 10 years, the KuroEne obsession is here to stay. 🤸
Snake x Bunny 🐍🐇
Ene's twintails look like bunny ears 💙
I came back to KagePro in April and got obsessed with Kuroha and KuroEne again, exactly as I predicted. Turns out I'm not immune when my meow meow mf gets handsy with my wife.
B*tches when Snake of Clearing Eyes. I'm b*tches! /lh ✌️
I first got into KagePro when I was 12 when I watched the Outer Science MV. Sidu's MV aesthetics and Kuroha's design drew me in immediately. Great design and song~ 🎵
I'm obsessed with Meow meow mf charas. Black and white colour scheme and design aesthetics. Causes problems on purpose. Sen-core bastard cat. Smug chaotic edgy evil asshole character. Violent, unhinged, bloodthirsty and murderous. Arrogant with a huge ego that distances them from humanity (or social interactions). 🐈⬛
All of my top fave masc charas are like this. There's literally no one with more obvious and predictable tastes than me LMAO 😭
Kuroha/Saeru, the embodiment of "Knowledge/Wisdom" as a dark evil cunning and malicious entity in KagePro, and the main source of conflict and tension in the plot, is so interesting to me. 🐍🖤
The truly evil monster who wears the face of a past love.
The inhuman evil monster/beast who doesn't understand love, who is the last remnant of Ene's loved one... 😌
With Ene, I'm very enamoured with her chara and design. She is the most personal to me... 💙
The way the way she acts so cheery and self-centered in the hopes of Shintaro to open up more, how she wants to be someone else's friend to subside their loneliness, the same kind of loneliness she'd always felt back then… It also feels like over-compensation for her past regrets, wahh, Ene… ;_; 💘
KuroEne has such a unique context as a ship cuz it uses HaruTaka and KonoEne (my other fave KagePro ships), as a basis. 💛💙
Ene has a "special" relationship with the person that Saeru uses as his vessel.
KuroEne is like the equivalent of the evil sleep paralysis demon (in this case, evil sadistic parasitic snake) possessing your past love (Haruka), or the person that you're conflicted about, but still have a certain kind of tenderness for (Konoha)
Sadistic parasitic evil snake bf and computer virus gf~
Ene already gets flustered around Konoha who is airheaded. So with Saeru, the teasing would just be merciless, cuz Ene is easy to rile up.
ENE BELOVED… 💙🐰🐇
KuroEne is SUCH an interesting ship to think about and analyze due to their characters' context and the potential of the complicated, complex, and messy relationship that they would have.
They give me immense brainrot. I'm SO fascinated by their relationship. I've been obsessed with them for 10 years ‼️❣️
Ever since I came back to KagePro last year, they took over my brain.
They got me out of art block, so ty to them!!! 💞✌️
I'll talk about the setting of my KuroEne AU below. I'll put the rest of my rambles and art WIPs under the cut! 💫✨
I copy pasted these rambles from my side blog and previous post, since it's pretty long.
It feels fitting to include it again, cuz it's basically the big summary of my KuroEne AU. 👍
Alternate Versions 🎨
Version 1
Original Colours
Version 2
Brightness/Contrast on Saeru and Ene
Increased Saturation (35%) on Saeru's eyes (brighter gold)
Increased Saturation (30%) on Ene's eyes (more saturated blue)
Posterization (60%) on Saeru
Posterization (75%) on Ene
Version 3
Gradient Map on Color (30%) on Ene (to shift the Hue to a cooler blue)
Increased Saturation (20%) on Ene's eyes (more saturated blue)
Tone Curve (80%) on Saeru
Version 4
Gradient Map on Color (15%) on Saeru (to shift the colours to purple)
Version 5
Gradient Map on Color (15%) on Saeru (to shift the colours to red)
Gradient Map on Hard Mix (10%)
Version 6
Alt Version with Multiply Layer
Muted Purple on Multiply (40%)
Version 7
(Alt version with more muted colours on Ene)
Decreased Saturation on Ene's colours
Art Process 🎨
Red and Blue Contrast ❤️💙
I've been having fun playing around with colours, seeing which layers to turn off and such.
I've been playing around with Gradient Maps and Hue shifts and slightly different colours.
The purple/red toned Kuroha one is also really nice cuz it has nice visual contrast against all the cool colours (blues) in Ene's design
Red vs. blue contrast <3
Plus, it fits Kuroha to be tinted with red...
Considering the red tinted shots in the Outer Science MV where he smears the Mekakushi Dan members' blood over his face. ❤️
Love the chosen shots in this MV.
Outer Science is my top fave KagePro MV due to its stunning visuals and visual storytelling. 🐍
Additional Memory and Losstime Memory are also in my top faves.
The white, black and red shots here look so good. And the expressions as well~ I love Sidu's brilliant visual aesthetic sense.
Art Rambles 🎨
Rough sketch WIPs. I love their expressions here sm~ I started playing around with Gradient Maps cuz I love picking colours.
My works tend to lean towards using more saturated colours with high contrast.
So I ended up going with a more vibrant and saturated colour palette.
This shows my process for picking colours. I ended up picking the ones at the very top of the post, since those are my faves ✌️
I like having Ene's eyes as ice blue. 💙
I really like the blue hue shift on Ene, red hue shift on Kuroha, and generally more saturated colours and higher contrast. ❤️💙
The more red + purple toned Kuroha has really nice visual contrast against Ene's cool colours (blues) in her design tbh~
I started off with a more muted palette (different from what I'm used to), but ended up going with more saturated colours cuz I think it fit the mood of the piece more.
Though I think it'd still be fun to do both a Muted Colours and Saturated Colours version! 🙏
These doodles aren't refined, and just me roughly filling in the base colours on my sketches to get an idea of colours.
Since Idk when I'll get to refine these drawings and clean up the sketch and lines 😴💤
The finalized versions up top use a peach colour for Saeru's skin so the Correction Layers shift his skin to be brighter than Ene's
I think it fits for Saeru to have paler skin than Ene.
Brushes
I can talk more about my art process this time ☺️
My main sketching/lining brush is CSP's Oil Paint Flat brush
I use it for sketching/lining and filling in rough base colours, because I love using weighted inky brushes. So any similar brushes will work! 👍
CSP's official default sub tool brushes (Ver 1.10.9) were removed or updated in later versions of CSP, so I reinstalled it. It's available for free.
I used to use a thin soft brush when I was younger, but I think my art looks more interesting with textured brushes and thicker lines 😌
It's my fave brush, but it can't blend. So when I come back to rendering pieces again in the future, I'd use another brush for that.
I've played around with a lot of brushes but I'm the most comfortable using this one since I'm used to it.
Colours
It looks so glowy and really makes the colours pop! ✨
I have a tendency to shift hues in my arts for the colours used for lighting and shadows, to keep things looking visually interesting 💞
That's why I roughly splotched red on Kuroha's hair, and pinks and muted blues on Ene's hair and sweater to get an idea of what kinds of colours I wanted to use for them 🖤❤️💙
Coloured Lines
I always draw sketches/lines on Vector Layers, so I can easily move, scale, and rotate lines, adjust the thickness if needed, etc.
It makes it easier for me to redraw my sketches, since Vector Layers don't lose quality when scaled.
I duplicate the lineart and use a CSP Auto Action called Better Line Color that you can find on the CSP Assets Store.
It colours the lines according to the colours underneath, and makes a subtle glow on the lineart.
It does some steps like Gaussian Blur, other adjustments, then sets the Layer Mode to Colour Burn, Linear Burn, or Multiply.
The duplicated lineart, when set to a Layer Mode like Colour Burn (or Linear Burn), creates a nice subtle glowy effect that I've been using on my coloured doodles.
On my arts, I usually have it set to Colour Burn 👍
Having coloured lines makes such a huge difference with my art. I think it has a really nice effect on my art ✨💫
People have made similar tools, so there are also free ones on the CSP Assets Store.
Gradient Maps and Colour Corrections
Using Hard Mix helped me get the nice red colours on Saeru's hair on my own doodle ❤️
This is pretty much what I do, except I choose pretty saturated colours.
Correction Layers and Layer Modes are my best friend ✌️
My art process when it comes to picking colours goes like:
I may make a colour edit that I pick colours from
If not, then I eyeball the colours and adjust them as I go
I put a Posterization Layer and choose whatever looks the best
I put Gradient Map Layers on Low Opacity (10 - 20%)
I may play around with Layer Modes (Color, Hard Mix, etc.) on Gradient Maps
I use Correction Layers (ex. Hue/Saturation/Luminosity, Color Balance, Brightness/Contrast, Tone Curve)
I adjust the colours as needed
There are tons of free Gradient Maps on the CSP Assets store, so I use them to harmonize my colour palettes 🙏
I think that using Gradient Maps on Low Opacity and/or with Layer Modes can have really interesting results.
I usually put my Gradient Maps at about 10 - 20% and set the Layer Mode to Color.
So you can mute or saturate your colour palettes with them
Though sometimes just putting a Gradient Map on with Low Opacity looks better, so I play around with different Layer Modes
I put Hard Mix on low opacity cuz it can over saturate a drawing imo.
Posterization can also oversaturate the colours, so I adjust the Opacity if needed.
And I try to make sure that my colours aren't too over saturated.
KuroEne AU 🖤💛💙
Ok I also have something to add (once again I'm snatching these rambles from my side blog's rambles cuz I've yapped way too much about these two ‼️)
It's pretty unfortunate that my yapping and ramble posts outspeeds me creating art so I'm just waiting for the chance to draw so many of my KuroEne writing and art ideas so I can post them on main combined with drawings 🤸
Canon verse KuroEne is not “romance,” at least definitely not in the traditional sense. But there IS desire and passion, and a sense of yearning/longing, a need for warmth and fulfillment. It’s filled with desperation and tension and conflict, which makes it really interesting…
When I think about their relationship in this kind of canon-verse AU setting, it's infused with feelings of love, obsession, desire, passion, yearning, and attachment. 💗💘
It's so fun to think about Kuroha's selfish twisted nature and dark urges, combined with Ene's bold tenacity and confidence. Since he's someone that's generally observant and good at reading people and their desires, it makes him pair well with Ene who has trouble facing more honest feelings and being open about the things she wants.
I think a lot of things are playing into their relationship dynamic. Like the circumstances of HaruTaka and KonoEne's context, Kuroha's omniscience and knowledge, desire, and a craving/yearning for warmth, touch, and affection and companionship on Ene's end, and the pull she feels for him because of the vessel he uses, and his intimate knowledge of her.
For 6/9, it's time to blast the anthem of my fave ship, Yuukei Yesterday~ The song dedicated to Takane's feelings and HaruTaka~ Tatatara!! 💗
Considering the theme of my art, though, I put a lyric from the song, "Shadow gate to love" 🎵🎧
I also wanna say that I'm seriously obsessed with my NB genderfluid Kuroha HC 🐍🖤💞
Kuroha can change his body into whatever he wants by using Konoha's Eye Ability, Awakening Eyes. In the Novel Route, he knows how to use Awakening Eyes to rebuild the body molecule by molecule and make him immune to other Eye Abilities.
Kuroha/Saeru's "Love" ❤️
I think it's interesting that canon verse KuroEne is a ship that's so tinged with angst and tragedy. But I also love that aspect about them. 😌💗💘
I think that in the context of a Kuroha ship AU, Kuroha believes that he and his S/O have a connection of karmic fate with each other, in the way that they'll continue to meet across all the different time loops, for all of eternity.
Kuroha’s love would inevitably be very dark and twisted, because he is that way at his core. At the end of a Route, he kills his S/O, and/or their friends, in order to meet with them forever. Ensuring the next coming of a new cycle is a priority to him.
The intimate knowledge that Kuroha/Saeru would have of his partner’s desires, wants, past, insecurities, relationships, etc., due to all the time loop resets, is so interesting to think about. 💗
And, he gets to be with the other party forever by doing this. It’s a win win for him! He doesn’t want to give that up. Cuz in some fucked up way, in his fucked up form of love and obsession, he creates the concept of “eternity” with his S/O, by killing them, and/or, their friends, constantly, endlessly.
As a means to an end
Kuroha is someone that wants to draw out "truth" to add to his "knowledge" (massive knowledge bank) and explore endless possibilities.
And Ene is someone who has trouble being honest, especially with her wants/desires, and Saeru was created for the purpose of granting wishes. So he finds it fun to tease her and rile her up, and fulfill her desires for warmth and pleasure, etc.
Ene asks Kuroha if he's learning how to pretend to be human throughout all the time loop resets. Kuroha says there’s no “pretending” about it. And it's true. He's been here since even before the beginning of the world. He asks her if you can really call it pretending at that point.
The end of Outer Science's MV shows Saeru in Azami's hair even before the creation of the world. He's existed before humans were born. He knows the nature of humans better than anyone else after observing them for a long time. He has so much knowledge, that the sheer extent of it is just unfathomable to the average person.
Each time the Route resets, he gets to “perfect” his knowledge, and in the context of intimacy, he gets to know his partner and their intimate desires even better and better, each time.
He constantly refines and adds to his “knowledge” every new Route. He likes learning new things about the other party. Kuroha likes how Ene, with her confrontational, brazen personality, and predictable unpredictability, always manages to find a way to catch him off guard and surprise him.
Kuroha/Saeru possessing Konoha's body means he has his face. His body. His voice. Ene can't shake off the feeling of how uncanny his resemblance is to them, physically, and gets reminded of Haruka and Konoha around him.
(Now I'll copy paste my rambles from my old posts that summarizes my KuroEne AU. Here. I added some new stuff at the end)
KuroEne AU: Set-up 🖤💙
Ok, I'm just gonna ramble about the setting of my KuroEne AU.
I also included a summary for context just in case my non-KagePro mutuals want to tune in to read these rambles.
I just wrote this quickly before I go to sleep. I have more to say but I think this is a good starter. 😴💤
In official KagePro media, the present day plot starts after 2 years, on the fateful day of August 15th (Kagerou/Heat Haze) Day.
The Kagerou Daze, the never ending world, swallows up people who die on August 15th, and gives those with especially strong desires, who are compatible with an Eye Ability, a substitute life so that they can return to the real world.
In most Routes, Saeru ends up orchestrating Haruka and Takane's deaths.
One thing you'll learn about KagePro is that this guy (Saeru) is responsible for almost everything bad that happens ✌️
Because killing them so that they'd come out with an Eye Ability, is a part of his plan to get the rest of Azami's snakes out of the Kagerou Daze and into the real world.
Haruka's death leads to the creation of Konoha, and Takane's death causes her to lose her human body and become a cyber girl named Ene
There are multiple different ways that a KuroEne AU could go, depending on the Route.
KuroEne AU Routes are so fun to write, because any time I get a new idea, I can just put into a different Route (timeline) to explore all the "What if" scenarios that don't fit into a single Route. 🤭
Kuroha/Saeru's Plan and KonoEne
Normally, the rest of the Mekakushi Dan members meet each other in the present day plot after 2 years, the fateful day of August 15th, the day Kuroha/Saeru plans to kill everyone.
Kuroha/Saeru's plan is to gather all the snakes with a new Medusa in the real world (bringing the rest of Azami's snakes out of the Kagerou Daze to the real world), and killing all Eye Ability users.
Then, he forces Mary, "the next Master," to rewind the world using the power of the Queen Snake, Combining Eyes.
In official media, Kuroha/Saeru usually possesses Konoha's body at the end of a Route on August 15th, the day he plans to proceed with the "Tragedy" and kill everyone.
I imagine that in my KuroEne AU, Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body MUCH earlier. Like, anywhere within the timespan after Takane and Haruka's deaths (1 - 2 years)
Because of this, Konoha and Ene usually end up meeting and befriending each other earlier. Ene recognizes Konoha as Haruka's game avatar from back then, and mistakes him for Haruka. Konoha asks if she has the wrong person, and Ene gets heartbroken at Konoha's seeming amnesia and inability to remember her.
Ene imposes a sense of distance around Konoha due to her conflicting feelings (he resembles the person she loved but isn't him).
In my AU, KonoEne establish a relationship dynamic of some kind (which varies depending on the Route), which either progresses to an acquaintance-ship, friendship, or intimate relationship.
Kuroha introduces himself to Ene for their first meeting in a Route
And then, at some point, Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body. At this point, when he introduces himself and makes himself known to Ene for the first time, he can choose what information he wants to reveal, and how much.
For example, Kuroha can choose if he wants to introduce himself as Black Konoha, and/or "Saeru," or whether to reveal it for later.
(And he also chooses whether he wants to reveal his true identity as the Snake of Clearing Eyes.)
Ene later nicknames him "Kuroha" and "Saeru" to shorten the name.
He knows that the 1st one would be more familiar to Ene. To introduce himself with the 2nd one would make Ene more distrusting/suspicious of him.
Note: I feel like as long as it's a Route where Saeru and Ene play the game alone (and Ene doesn't meet the rest of the MekaDan until August 15th), then Saeru can tell Ene his true name once they've gotten closer.
I feel like Saeru would also tell her about the Eye Abilities (while keeping most of his past, such as the identity of his Master, vague)
I always HC that Ene mainly calls him "Saeru" after that.
He most likely doesn't reveal his true intentions (to kill the Mekakushi Dan) so soon, because he knows that if he does, Ene is (obviously) not gonna want to "play the game" (of being intimate with him) anymore, cuz it means that he is literally putting her and her friends' lives in danger.
Though, across multiple Routes, he probably does play around and experiment with the timing of when he reveals certain information, and how much.
I think in most Routes, Ene is suspicious of him at first, and asks about his intentions and what he's really after, and Kuroha/Saeru just tells her that it's too early to say yet, and that she will find out soon.
(Though, Kuroha could probably quell her suspicions with enough convincing, due to the massive amount of knowledge he carries)
KuroEne AU: Context ✍️
In my KuroEne AU, Kuroha/Saeru, who has messed around with human technology and innovation, has been able to develop a humanoid android/robot body with human flesh that Ene can transfer into.
This concept was originally inspired by Mega Man Battle Network (Rockman.exe), specifically, the NetNavis (humans' companion AIs in this universe) from MMBN/EXE.
NetNavis can transfer into CopyBots (android bodies) for limited amounts of time, to move around in the real world. These CopyBots take the appearance of the NetNavi that transfer into it.
In my KuroEne AU, I imagine it's battery powered, but with every Route, he gets better and faster at making it. Like he improves the battery life over time, so it goes from lasting an hour to lasting a whole day, etc.
Quoting these old rambles:
Note: In the first few Routes, Kuroha synthesizes the materials he needs in his lab, in order to create Ene's outer body. At this point, Ene's body is made by artificial human flesh.
I imagined that Ene's outer body looks fully humanoid on the exterior. The interior most likely has complex systems and wiring.
Then, he first comes up with the idea of using Awakening Eyes to make Ene's body. He delights in his own brilliant idea and wonders why he didn't think of it sooner? This way, he won't need such a meticulous process. So in all Routes after this, he uses this method to create Ene's body.
Kuroha/Saeru is so fucked up but that makes him interesting so I say let him be. He's so fun to write for 👍I'm fascinated by how sick in the head he is in about his love (twisted obsession). I love Saeru's mad scientist vibes in the KuroEne AU… 🖤💙
Awakening Eyes allows the owner of the body to make it into their "ideal body" and make it whatever they want. So he can do this, replicate it, and keep regenerating himself. And knowing this mf, he'd shed off his own skin from his body too to use as part of Ene's android body.
Feila and I came up with the idea that Kuroha could just use Konoha's Eye Ability Awakening Eyes to temporarily turn into Ene, then make it so that his body can shed off self healing skin (and any parts he needs). It makes making her android body infinitely easier cuz then he'd have all the parts needed to make her body.
Kuroha: You were made from me, and the unison of our parts, therefore we are one ❤️
According to the Novel Route, Kuroha/Saeru has knowledge from everything from the start of civilization...
In the Novel Route, Shintaro compares Saeru to "a living encyclopedia with a full grasp of everything from the start of civilization up to modern science."
That LN bit confirms that Kuroha/Saeru carries knowledge of the history of mankind and its technologies over (probably) millions or thousands of years.
Especially when scientists have made developments regarding wrapping living human-like skin onto a robot that can heal when cut.
If he carries knowledge from the start of civilization, so much knowledge that it's unfathomable to the average person, then yeah, I definitely think he could get it done (especially for the sake of my AU).
KuroEne's Intimacy 🐍🐇
Kuroha proposes that he has a solution for Ene not being able to move around in the real world, and introduces the little invention that he made, for her to test out, which Ene eventually agrees to, out of curiosity.
Ene feels a sense of gratefulness to him for allowing her to move around in the real world since it gets lonely in the cyber world, not being able to feel or touch anyone on the outside…
Kuroha gets to know and bonds with Ene, anywhere within this 1 - 2 year timespan, and at some point, Kuroha and Ene get intimate with each other.
Ene gives into the sense of longing/yearning that she feels for Kuroha/Saeru, a yearning for warmth and touch after being stuck alone in the cyber world for so long (in spite of everything - if she knows about his true identity at this point), which is in part caused by his vessel (being Konoha, who's in Haruka's body).
Kuroha knows how to react to her and what to say to her and how to act around her due to his knowledge, and so, seduces his S/O and tempts her with carnal pleasures, and they indulge in "the game/dance" of being intimate with each other.
Because Kuroha/Saeru keeps memories of previous Routes, he remembers memories of being with the Enes of previous Routes, and thus, knows how to react to her when talking/chatting with her normally, knows how to appease Ene's behaviours and whims, goes along with what she wants, knows how to get the responses he wants when he wants something from his partner (so he knows how to seduce them), and knows how to satisfy his partner in the context of intimacy.
Because of the knowledge he carries, he knows the context, past, Eye Abilities, vulnerabilities, etc., of every Mekakushi Dan member, and that includes Ene. So he'd definitely know about Haruka and Takane, and Konoha and Ene's context and relationship together.
The person who's her greatest enemy (whether she knows it at this point or not), very literally knows everything about her.
And not only that, the greatest enemy of the Mekakushi Dan, knows her better than she knows herself.
Kuroha/Saeru's Nature ❤️
Not only does he weaponize Konoha's body by using Konoha's body as a murder weapon to kill everyone at the end of a Route, he weaponizes words, too. Kuroha/Saeru uses "knowledge" as an advantage over his partner, and weaponizes knowledge. Actually staggering advantage. Because he knows almost everything.
Kuroha ships are like the only time I have ships where one party in the ship has THIS much of an advantage over their partner.
Therefore, as I said before, Kuroha/Saeru ultimately has a power imbalance with his partner (any Mekakushi Dan member that he could be paired with).
He has an overwhelming advantage over his partner due to his role (set-up as an antagonist constantly killing the cast) and capabilities. It is ultimately in his favour.
That fact in itself, that the power imbalance exists, isn't inherently a bad thing, it just means that you NEED to tread carefully with portraying Kuroha's ships. I always make sure to depict my ships with as much care as possible, and as healthy as possible.
Ene is one of the characters who is a really good match with him. Because making Ene more assertive and dominant in the KuroEne ship, and making them take turns in leading intimacy, with having Kuroha letting Ene take control through their bedroom intimacy at times, helps alleviate this power imbalance slightly.
Kuroha is literally so fucked up dude cuz even his twisted form of affection that he holds for his S/O (the Mekakushi Dan member who he's paired with), is still in a twisted, selfish, self-serving way.
Due to his twisted nature, he embodies Koi (恋), "Selfish love," "loving someone for their own sake."
Even when he caters to his partner's pleasures, it still ultimately caters to his pleasures the most. That makes him interesting, though. Someone so inherently dark and twisted and sinister, with selfish desires like that… 🥰💖✨
Misc Rambles ✍️
Colour Edit: Me
So I imagine, in most KuroEne AU routes, he reveals his true intentions either approaching the fated day of August 15th, or right on the day of August 15th.
There's absolutely a sense of betrayal that Ene would feel following the reveal of his true intentions - he built up a relationship with her, on purpose, just to drop the worst possible scenario imaginable.
Like let's be real. The reveal of "I've been killing you and your friends throughout multiple Routes (timelines)" just sounds like a nightmarish scenario, especially if you've been fucking this guy, like come on. 😭
And something that would make Ene get especially pissed at him, is if he decides to reveal that he was responsible for orchestrating Haruka and Takane's deaths in the first place.
(In official media, Ene sees Konoha for the first time, on August 15th, 2 years after Haruka and Takane's deaths)
Though, there are probably KuroEne AU routes where Konoha and Ene don't get the chance to meet each other - Routes where Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body before the two can actually meet, so when Ene sees who she thinks is "Konoha" for the first time, it's actually Kuroha/Saeru. With this kind of setting, he could even pretend to be Konoha, if he wanted.
And then on August 15th, he proceeds with killing the Mekakushi Dan with sadistic glee (and even his S/O - though if he's feeling nice, then he can spare them, since he doesn't need to kill everyone), and forces Mary to rewind the world.
Thankfully, due to the nature of Ene's body and predicament, she won't feel physical pain even if he kills her. And then, a new Route (timeline) begins.
Shadow gate to love
Shadow gate to love is a song from the second single sung by Guilty Kiss, a sub-unit under Aqours. The group consists of Riko Sakurauchi, Yo
Song: (X)
Lyrics: (X)
The song, "Shadow gate to love," sung by the sub-unit, Guilty Kiss, in Love Live! Sunshine!! is sooo Sen ship-core.
It basically works for every Light/Darkness, Angel/Devil, and Narrative Opposites ship of mine. ✌️
My favourite version of Shadow gate to love is this fan-edit that pitches down the song to match the original voice actors’ voices, compared to their characters’ voices (which are higher in pitch)
Oh baby shadow gay~ 🌈
In KagePro, though, the mention of "Strong scented eyes" takes on another meaning cuz of the emphasis on EYES, particularly the Eye Abilities.
I also love the emphasis on the Light/Darkness aspect and seduction in the lyrics.
KuroEne: Kuroha seduces Ene by tempting her with carnal pleasures, and keeps the secrets of his plan to commit the Tragedy (killing the Mekakushi Dan on August 15th, Kagerou Day) hidden from her. He tells her "beautiful lies" in order to keep up his facade.
He decides to act tamer prior to the fated date of August 15th, catering to her desires and befriending and bonding her and spending time with her and actually getting to know her.
They'd do soft and fluffy stuff like go to the amusement park together, play video games together, and eventually, get intimate with each other.
Due to his inherently dark and twisted nature, Kuroha/Saeru prioritizes his own desires and desire for immortality, and constantly keeps causing the Tragedy by killing the Mekakushi Dan, Mary's friends, forcing the time loop resets.
He also believes that doing this allows him to be with his partner forever, because he can continue to come and meet them forever and ever.
Ai (愛) vs. Koi (恋) 💗
Azami's genuine pure form of love for her family, willingly sacrificing herself for her family.
Vs.
(In the context of a Kuroha ship AU)
Kuroha/Saeru holding a twisted form of affection and obsession for his S/O and wanting to continue the time loop Tragedy in order to be with his S/O forever in a twisted, selfish, self-serving way.
He looks up to his Masters and serves them, but won't put anyone else above himself and his wants and needs.
In the end, he's doing this all for Azami, because he believes that this is what she truly wanted and needed, but ends up being the one causing her the most suffering.
"Selfless" vs. "Selfish" love.
Ai (愛) vs. Koi (恋)
Azami -> "Loving someone for the sake of someone else"
Kuroha -> "Loving someone for one's own sake"
Kuroha's twisted selfish love and how he ultimately loves someone for his own sake, to experience the "high" of being in love...
"Love is Karma."
This fits so well with Kuroha/Saeru's character and KuroEne. Good god.
I can't put any more images due to Tumblr's image limit so you can read about the two loves (Ai vs. Koi) here
Source: (X)
Misc Rambles
If you wanna put it crudely or in funny terms, then Kuroha/Saeru ships are like the most elaborate ships with the time loop tragedy causing serial killer, in the history of anything ever. But actually really interesting and fascinating.
"I'm gonna kill you" boogaloo (and nothing else) is not very compelling for ships (and even in general) lol
In canon-verse, Kuroha/Saeru lacks humanity and forms of care for others (when compared to my other faves).
That's why I wanted to explore the ideas of Kuroha/Saeru messing around in the Routes and actually getting to know the Mekakushi Dan members before he kills them all.
I've loved 9/6 and all related ships for over 10 years now 🥰💞
KuroEne was baby Sen's 1st ship that I was OBSESSED with as a 12 year old, and after 10 years, the KuroEne obsession is here to stay. 🤸
Snake x Bunny 🐍🐇
Ene's twintails look like bunny ears 💙
I came back to KagePro in April and got obsessed with Kuroha and KuroEne again, exactly as I predicted. Turns out I'm not immune when my meow meow mf gets handsy with my wife.
B*tches when Snake of Clearing Eyes. I'm b*tches! /lh ✌️
I first got into KagePro when I was 12 when I watched the Outer Science MV. Sidu's MV aesthetics and Kuroha's design drew me in immediately. Great design and song~ 🎵
I'm obsessed with Meow meow mf charas. Black and white colour scheme and design aesthetics. Causes problems on purpose. Sen-core bastard cat. Smug chaotic edgy evil asshole character. Violent, unhinged, bloodthirsty and murderous. Arrogant with a huge ego that distances them from humanity (or social interactions). 🐈⬛
All of my top fave masc charas are like this. There's literally no one with more obvious and predictable tastes than me LMAO 😭
Kuroha/Saeru, the embodiment of "Knowledge/Wisdom" as a dark evil cunning and malicious entity in KagePro, and the main source of conflict and tension in the plot, is so interesting to me. 🐍🖤
The truly evil monster who wears the face of a past love.
The inhuman evil monster/beast who doesn't understand love, who is the last remnant of Ene's loved one... 😌
With Ene, I'm very enamoured with her chara and design. She is the most personal to me... 💙
The way the way she acts so cheery and self-centered in the hopes of Shintaro to open up more, how she wants to be someone else's friend to subside their loneliness, the same kind of loneliness she'd always felt back then… It also feels like over-compensation for her past regrets, wahh, Ene… ;_; 💘
KuroEne has such a unique context as a ship cuz it uses HaruTaka and KonoEne (my other fave KagePro ships), as a basis. 💛💙
Ene has a "special" relationship with the person that Saeru uses as his vessel.
KuroEne is like the equivalent of the evil sleep paralysis demon (in this case, evil sadistic parasitic snake) possessing your past love (Haruka), or the person that you're conflicted about, but still have a certain kind of tenderness for (Konoha)
Sadistic parasitic evil snake bf and computer virus gf~
Ene already gets flustered around Konoha who is airheaded. So with Saeru, the teasing would just be merciless, cuz Ene is easy to rile up.
ENE BELOVED… 💙🐰🐇
KuroEne is SUCH an interesting ship to think about and analyze due to their characters' context and the potential of the complicated, complex, and messy relationship that they would have.
They give me immense brainrot. I'm SO fascinated by their relationship. I've been obsessed with them for 10 years ‼️❣️
Ever since I came back to KagePro last year, they took over my brain.
They got me out of art block, so ty to them!!! 💞✌️
I'll talk about the setting of my KuroEne AU below. I'll put the rest of my rambles and art WIPs under the cut! 💫✨
I copy pasted these rambles from my side blog and previous post, since it's pretty long.
It feels fitting to include it again, cuz it's basically the big summary of my KuroEne AU. 👍
Alternate Versions 🎨
Version 1
Original Colours
Version 2
Brightness/Contrast on Saeru and Ene
Increased Saturation (35%) on Saeru's eyes (brighter gold)
Increased Saturation (30%) on Ene's eyes (more saturated blue)
Posterization (60%) on Saeru
Posterization (75%) on Ene
Version 3
Gradient Map on Color (30%) on Ene (to shift the Hue to a cooler blue)
Increased Saturation (20%) on Ene's eyes (more saturated blue)
Tone Curve (80%) on Saeru
Version 4
Gradient Map on Color (15%) on Saeru (to shift the colours to purple)
Version 5
Gradient Map on Color (15%) on Saeru (to shift the colours to red)
Gradient Map on Hard Mix (10%)
Version 6
Alt Version with Multiply Layer
Muted Purple on Multiply (40%)
Version 7
(Alt version with more muted colours on Ene)
Decreased Saturation on Ene's colours
Art Process 🎨
Red and Blue Contrast ❤️💙
I've been having fun playing around with colours, seeing which layers to turn off and such.
I've been playing around with Gradient Maps and Hue shifts and slightly different colours.
The purple/red toned Kuroha one is also really nice cuz it has nice visual contrast against all the cool colours (blues) in Ene's design
Red vs. blue contrast <3
Plus, it fits Kuroha to be tinted with red...
Considering the red tinted shots in the Outer Science MV where he smears the Mekakushi Dan members' blood over his face. ❤️
Love the chosen shots in this MV.
Outer Science is my top fave KagePro MV due to its stunning visuals and visual storytelling. 🐍
Additional Memory and Losstime Memory are also in my top faves.
The white, black and red shots here look so good. And the expressions as well~ I love Sidu's brilliant visual aesthetic sense.
Art Rambles 🎨
Rough sketch WIPs. I love their expressions here sm~ I started playing around with Gradient Maps cuz I love picking colours.
My works tend to lean towards using more saturated colours with high contrast.
So I ended up going with a more vibrant and saturated colour palette.
This shows my process for picking colours. I ended up picking the ones at the very top of the post, since those are my faves ✌️
I like having Ene's eyes as ice blue. 💙
I really like the blue hue shift on Ene, red hue shift on Kuroha, and generally more saturated colours and higher contrast. ❤️💙
The more red + purple toned Kuroha has really nice visual contrast against Ene's cool colours (blues) in her design tbh~
I started off with a more muted palette (different from what I'm used to), but ended up going with more saturated colours cuz I think it fit the mood of the piece more.
Though I think it'd still be fun to do both a Muted Colours and Saturated Colours version! 🙏
These doodles aren't refined, and just me roughly filling in the base colours on my sketches to get an idea of colours.
Since Idk when I'll get to refine these drawings and clean up the sketch and lines 😴💤
The finalized versions up top use a peach colour for Saeru's skin so the Correction Layers shift his skin to be brighter than Ene's
I think it fits for Saeru to have paler skin than Ene.
Brushes
I can talk more about my art process this time ☺️
My main sketching/lining brush is CSP's Oil Paint Flat brush
I use it for sketching/lining and filling in rough base colours, because I love using weighted inky brushes. So any similar brushes will work! 👍
CSP's official default sub tool brushes (Ver 1.10.9) were removed or updated in later versions of CSP, so I reinstalled it. It's available for free.
I used to use a thin soft brush when I was younger, but I think my art looks more interesting with textured brushes and thicker lines 😌
It's my fave brush, but it can't blend. So when I come back to rendering pieces again in the future, I'd use another brush for that.
I've played around with a lot of brushes but I'm the most comfortable using this one since I'm used to it.
Colours
It looks so glowy and really makes the colours pop! ✨
I have a tendency to shift hues in my arts for the colours used for lighting and shadows, to keep things looking visually interesting 💞
That's why I roughly splotched red on Kuroha's hair, and pinks and muted blues on Ene's hair and sweater to get an idea of what kinds of colours I wanted to use for them 🖤❤️💙
Coloured Lines
I always draw sketches/lines on Vector Layers, so I can easily move, scale, and rotate lines, adjust the thickness if needed, etc.
It makes it easier for me to redraw my sketches, since Vector Layers don't lose quality when scaled.
I duplicate the lineart and use a CSP Auto Action called Better Line Color that you can find on the CSP Assets Store.
It colours the lines according to the colours underneath, and makes a subtle glow on the lineart.
It does some steps like Gaussian Blur, other adjustments, then sets the Layer Mode to Colour Burn, Linear Burn, or Multiply.
The duplicated lineart, when set to a Layer Mode like Colour Burn (or Linear Burn), creates a nice subtle glowy effect that I've been using on my coloured doodles.
On my arts, I usually have it set to Colour Burn 👍
Having coloured lines makes such a huge difference with my art. I think it has a really nice effect on my art ✨💫
People have made similar tools, so there are also free ones on the CSP Assets Store.
Gradient Maps and Colour Corrections
Using Hard Mix helped me get the nice red colours on Saeru's hair on my own doodle ❤️
This is pretty much what I do, except I choose pretty saturated colours.
Correction Layers and Layer Modes are my best friend ✌️
My art process when it comes to picking colours goes like:
I may make a colour edit that I pick colours from
If not, then I eyeball the colours and adjust them as I go
I put a Posterization Layer and choose whatever looks the best
I put Gradient Map Layers on Low Opacity (10 - 20%)
I may play around with Layer Modes (Color, Hard Mix, etc.) on Gradient Maps
I use Correction Layers (ex. Hue/Saturation/Luminosity, Color Balance, Brightness/Contrast, Tone Curve)
I adjust the colours as needed
There are tons of free Gradient Maps on the CSP Assets store, so I use them to harmonize my colour palettes 🙏
I think that using Gradient Maps on Low Opacity and/or with Layer Modes can have really interesting results.
I usually put my Gradient Maps at about 10 - 20% and set the Layer Mode to Color.
So you can mute or saturate your colour palettes with them
Though sometimes just putting a Gradient Map on with Low Opacity looks better, so I play around with different Layer Modes
I put Hard Mix on low opacity cuz it can over saturate a drawing imo.
Posterization can also oversaturate the colours, so I adjust the Opacity if needed.
And I try to make sure that my colours aren't too over saturated.
KuroEne AU 🖤💛💙
Ok I also have something to add (once again I'm snatching these rambles from my side blog's rambles cuz I've yapped way too much about these two ‼️)
It's pretty unfortunate that my yapping and ramble posts outspeeds me creating art so I'm just waiting for the chance to draw so many of my KuroEne writing and art ideas so I can post them on main combined with drawings 🤸
Canon verse KuroEne is not “romance,” at least definitely not in the traditional sense. But there IS desire and passion, and a sense of yearning/longing, a need for warmth and fulfillment. It’s filled with desperation and tension and conflict, which makes it really interesting…
When I think about their relationship in this kind of canon-verse AU setting, it's infused with feelings of love, obsession, desire, passion, yearning, and attachment. 💗💘
It's so fun to think about Kuroha's selfish twisted nature and dark urges, combined with Ene's bold tenacity and confidence. Since he's someone that's generally observant and good at reading people and their desires, it makes him pair well with Ene who has trouble facing more honest feelings and being open about the things she wants.
I think a lot of things are playing into their relationship dynamic. Like the circumstances of HaruTaka and KonoEne's context, Kuroha's omniscience and knowledge, desire, and a craving/yearning for warmth, touch, and affection and companionship on Ene's end, and the pull she feels for him because of the vessel he uses, and his intimate knowledge of her.
For 6/9, it's time to blast the anthem of my fave ship, Yuukei Yesterday~ The song dedicated to Takane's feelings and HaruTaka~ Tatatara!! 💗
Considering the theme of my art, though, I put a lyric from the song, "Shadow gate to love" 🎵🎧
I also wanna say that I'm seriously obsessed with my NB genderfluid Kuroha HC 🐍🖤💞
Kuroha can change his body into whatever he wants by using Konoha's Eye Ability, Awakening Eyes. In the Novel Route, he knows how to use Awakening Eyes to rebuild the body molecule by molecule and make him immune to other Eye Abilities.
Kuroha/Saeru's "Love" ❤️
I think it's interesting that canon verse KuroEne is a ship that's so tinged with angst and tragedy. But I also love that aspect about them. 😌💗💘
I think that in the context of a Kuroha ship AU, Kuroha believes that he and his S/O have a connection of karmic fate with each other, in the way that they'll continue to meet across all the different time loops, for all of eternity.
Kuroha’s love would inevitably be very dark and twisted, because he is that way at his core. At the end of a Route, he kills his S/O, and/or their friends, in order to meet with them forever. Ensuring the next coming of a new cycle is a priority to him.
The intimate knowledge that Kuroha/Saeru would have of his partner’s desires, wants, past, insecurities, relationships, etc., due to all the time loop resets, is so interesting to think about. 💗
And, he gets to be with the other party forever by doing this. It’s a win win for him! He doesn’t want to give that up. Cuz in some fucked up way, in his fucked up form of love and obsession, he creates the concept of “eternity” with his S/O, by killing them, and/or, their friends, constantly, endlessly.
As a means to an end
Kuroha is someone that wants to draw out "truth" to add to his "knowledge" (massive knowledge bank) and explore endless possibilities.
And Ene is someone who has trouble being honest, especially with her wants/desires, and Saeru was created for the purpose of granting wishes. So he finds it fun to tease her and rile her up, and fulfill her desires for warmth and pleasure, etc.
Ene asks Kuroha if he's learning how to pretend to be human throughout all the time loop resets. Kuroha says there’s no “pretending” about it. And it's true. He's been here since even before the beginning of the world. He asks her if you can really call it pretending at that point.
The end of Outer Science's MV shows Saeru in Azami's hair even before the creation of the world. He's existed before humans were born. He knows the nature of humans better than anyone else after observing them for a long time. He has so much knowledge, that the sheer extent of it is just unfathomable to the average person.
Each time the Route resets, he gets to “perfect” his knowledge, and in the context of intimacy, he gets to know his partner and their intimate desires even better and better, each time.
He constantly refines and adds to his “knowledge” every new Route. He likes learning new things about the other party. Kuroha likes how Ene, with her confrontational, brazen personality, and predictable unpredictability, always manages to find a way to catch him off guard and surprise him.
Kuroha/Saeru possessing Konoha's body means he has his face. His body. His voice. Ene can't shake off the feeling of how uncanny his resemblance is to them, physically, and gets reminded of Haruka and Konoha around him.
(Now I'll copy paste my rambles from my old posts that summarizes my KuroEne AU. Here. I added some new stuff at the end)
KuroEne AU: Set-up 🖤💙
Ok, I'm just gonna ramble about the setting of my KuroEne AU.
I also included a summary for context just in case my non-KagePro mutuals want to tune in to read these rambles.
I just wrote this quickly before I go to sleep. I have more to say but I think this is a good starter. 😴💤
In official KagePro media, the present day plot starts after 2 years, on the fateful day of August 15th (Kagerou/Heat Haze) Day.
The Kagerou Daze, the never ending world, swallows up people who die on August 15th, and gives those with especially strong desires, who are compatible with an Eye Ability, a substitute life so that they can return to the real world.
In most Routes, Saeru ends up orchestrating Haruka and Takane's deaths.
One thing you'll learn about KagePro is that this guy (Saeru) is responsible for almost everything bad that happens ✌️
Because killing them so that they'd come out with an Eye Ability, is a part of his plan to get the rest of Azami's snakes out of the Kagerou Daze and into the real world.
Haruka's death leads to the creation of Konoha, and Takane's death causes her to lose her human body and become a cyber girl named Ene
There are multiple different ways that a KuroEne AU could go, depending on the Route.
KuroEne AU Routes are so fun to write, because any time I get a new idea, I can just put into a different Route (timeline) to explore all the "What if" scenarios that don't fit into a single Route. 🤭
Kuroha/Saeru's Plan and KonoEne
Normally, the rest of the Mekakushi Dan members meet each other in the present day plot after 2 years, the fateful day of August 15th, the day Kuroha/Saeru plans to kill everyone.
Kuroha/Saeru's plan is to gather all the snakes with a new Medusa in the real world (bringing the rest of Azami's snakes out of the Kagerou Daze to the real world), and killing all Eye Ability users.
Then, he forces Mary, "the next Master," to rewind the world using the power of the Queen Snake, Combining Eyes.
In official media, Kuroha/Saeru usually possesses Konoha's body at the end of a Route on August 15th, the day he plans to proceed with the "Tragedy" and kill everyone.
I imagine that in my KuroEne AU, Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body MUCH earlier. Like, anywhere within the timespan after Takane and Haruka's deaths (1 - 2 years)
Because of this, Konoha and Ene usually end up meeting and befriending each other earlier. Ene recognizes Konoha as Haruka's game avatar from back then, and mistakes him for Haruka. Konoha asks if she has the wrong person, and Ene gets heartbroken at Konoha's seeming amnesia and inability to remember her.
Ene imposes a sense of distance around Konoha due to her conflicting feelings (he resembles the person she loved but isn't him).
In my AU, KonoEne establish a relationship dynamic of some kind (which varies depending on the Route), which either progresses to an acquaintance-ship, friendship, or intimate relationship.
Kuroha introduces himself to Ene for their first meeting in a Route
And then, at some point, Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body. At this point, when he introduces himself and makes himself known to Ene for the first time, he can choose what information he wants to reveal, and how much.
For example, Kuroha can choose if he wants to introduce himself as Black Konoha, and/or "Saeru," or whether to reveal it for later.
(And he also chooses whether he wants to reveal his true identity as the Snake of Clearing Eyes.)
Ene later nicknames him "Kuroha" and "Saeru" to shorten the name.
He knows that the 1st one would be more familiar to Ene. To introduce himself with the 2nd one would make Ene more distrusting/suspicious of him.
Note: I feel like as long as it's a Route where Saeru and Ene play the game alone (and Ene doesn't meet the rest of the MekaDan until August 15th), then Saeru can tell Ene his true name once they've gotten closer.
I feel like Saeru would also tell her about the Eye Abilities (while keeping most of his past, such as the identity of his Master, vague)
I always HC that Ene mainly calls him "Saeru" after that.
He most likely doesn't reveal his true intentions (to kill the Mekakushi Dan) so soon, because he knows that if he does, Ene is (obviously) not gonna want to "play the game" (of being intimate with him) anymore, cuz it means that he is literally putting her and her friends' lives in danger.
Though, across multiple Routes, he probably does play around and experiment with the timing of when he reveals certain information, and how much.
I think in most Routes, Ene is suspicious of him at first, and asks about his intentions and what he's really after, and Kuroha/Saeru just tells her that it's too early to say yet, and that she will find out soon.
(Though, Kuroha could probably quell her suspicions with enough convincing, due to the massive amount of knowledge he carries)
KuroEne AU: Context ✍️
In my KuroEne AU, Kuroha/Saeru, who has messed around with human technology and innovation, has been able to develop a humanoid android/robot body with human flesh that Ene can transfer into.
This concept was originally inspired by Mega Man Battle Network (Rockman.exe), specifically, the NetNavis (humans' companion AIs in this universe) from MMBN/EXE.
NetNavis can transfer into CopyBots (android bodies) for limited amounts of time, to move around in the real world. These CopyBots take the appearance of the NetNavi that transfer into it.
In my KuroEne AU, I imagine it's battery powered, but with every Route, he gets better and faster at making it. Like he improves the battery life over time, so it goes from lasting an hour to lasting a whole day, etc.
Quoting these old rambles:
Note: In the first few Routes, Kuroha synthesizes the materials he needs in his lab, in order to create Ene's outer body. At this point, Ene's body is made by artificial human flesh.
I imagined that Ene's outer body looks fully humanoid on the exterior. The interior most likely has complex systems and wiring.
Then, he first comes up with the idea of using Awakening Eyes to make Ene's body. He delights in his own brilliant idea and wonders why he didn't think of it sooner? This way, he won't need such a meticulous process. So in all Routes after this, he uses this method to create Ene's body.
Kuroha/Saeru is so fucked up but that makes him interesting so I say let him be. He's so fun to write for 👍I'm fascinated by how sick in the head he is in about his love (twisted obsession). I love Saeru's mad scientist vibes in the KuroEne AU… 🖤💙
Awakening Eyes allows the owner of the body to make it into their "ideal body" and make it whatever they want. So he can do this, replicate it, and keep regenerating himself. And knowing this mf, he'd shed off his own skin from his body too to use as part of Ene's android body.
Feila and I came up with the idea that Kuroha could just use Konoha's Eye Ability Awakening Eyes to temporarily turn into Ene, then make it so that his body can shed off self healing skin (and any parts he needs). It makes making her android body infinitely easier cuz then he'd have all the parts needed to make her body.
Kuroha: You were made from me, and the unison of our parts, therefore we are one ❤️
According to the Novel Route, Kuroha/Saeru has knowledge from everything from the start of civilization...
In the Novel Route, Shintaro compares Saeru to "a living encyclopedia with a full grasp of everything from the start of civilization up to modern science."
That LN bit confirms that Kuroha/Saeru carries knowledge of the history of mankind and its technologies over (probably) millions or thousands of years.
Especially when scientists have made developments regarding wrapping living human-like skin onto a robot that can heal when cut.
If he carries knowledge from the start of civilization, so much knowledge that it's unfathomable to the average person, then yeah, I definitely think he could get it done (especially for the sake of my AU).
KuroEne's Intimacy 🐍🐇
Kuroha proposes that he has a solution for Ene not being able to move around in the real world, and introduces the little invention that he made, for her to test out, which Ene eventually agrees to, out of curiosity.
Ene feels a sense of gratefulness to him for allowing her to move around in the real world since it gets lonely in the cyber world, not being able to feel or touch anyone on the outside…
Kuroha gets to know and bonds with Ene, anywhere within this 1 - 2 year timespan, and at some point, Kuroha and Ene get intimate with each other.
Ene gives into the sense of longing/yearning that she feels for Kuroha/Saeru, a yearning for warmth and touch after being stuck alone in the cyber world for so long (in spite of everything - if she knows about his true identity at this point), which is in part caused by his vessel (being Konoha, who's in Haruka's body).
Kuroha knows how to react to her and what to say to her and how to act around her due to his knowledge, and so, seduces his S/O and tempts her with carnal pleasures, and they indulge in "the game/dance" of being intimate with each other.
Because Kuroha/Saeru keeps memories of previous Routes, he remembers memories of being with the Enes of previous Routes, and thus, knows how to react to her when talking/chatting with her normally, knows how to appease Ene's behaviours and whims, goes along with what she wants, knows how to get the responses he wants when he wants something from his partner (so he knows how to seduce them), and knows how to satisfy his partner in the context of intimacy.
Because of the knowledge he carries, he knows the context, past, Eye Abilities, vulnerabilities, etc., of every Mekakushi Dan member, and that includes Ene. So he'd definitely know about Haruka and Takane, and Konoha and Ene's context and relationship together.
The person who's her greatest enemy (whether she knows it at this point or not), very literally knows everything about her.
And not only that, the greatest enemy of the Mekakushi Dan, knows her better than she knows herself.
Kuroha/Saeru's Nature ❤️
Not only does he weaponize Konoha's body by using Konoha's body as a murder weapon to kill everyone at the end of a Route, he weaponizes words, too. Kuroha/Saeru uses "knowledge" as an advantage over his partner, and weaponizes knowledge. Actually staggering advantage. Because he knows almost everything.
Kuroha ships are like the only time I have ships where one party in the ship has THIS much of an advantage over their partner.
Therefore, as I said before, Kuroha/Saeru ultimately has a power imbalance with his partner (any Mekakushi Dan member that he could be paired with).
He has an overwhelming advantage over his partner due to his role (set-up as an antagonist constantly killing the cast) and capabilities. It is ultimately in his favour.
That fact in itself, that the power imbalance exists, isn't inherently a bad thing, it just means that you NEED to tread carefully with portraying Kuroha's ships. I always make sure to depict my ships with as much care as possible, and as healthy as possible.
Ene is one of the characters who is a really good match with him. Because making Ene more assertive and dominant in the KuroEne ship, and making them take turns in leading intimacy, with having Kuroha letting Ene take control through their bedroom intimacy at times, helps alleviate this power imbalance slightly.
Kuroha is literally so fucked up dude cuz even his twisted form of affection that he holds for his S/O (the Mekakushi Dan member who he's paired with), is still in a twisted, selfish, self-serving way.
Due to his twisted nature, he embodies Koi (恋), "Selfish love," "loving someone for their own sake."
Even when he caters to his partner's pleasures, it still ultimately caters to his pleasures the most. That makes him interesting, though. Someone so inherently dark and twisted and sinister, with selfish desires like that… 🥰💖✨
Misc Rambles ✍️
Colour Edit: Me
So I imagine, in most KuroEne AU routes, he reveals his true intentions either approaching the fated day of August 15th, or right on the day of August 15th.
There's absolutely a sense of betrayal that Ene would feel following the reveal of his true intentions - he built up a relationship with her, on purpose, just to drop the worst possible scenario imaginable.
Like let's be real. The reveal of "I've been killing you and your friends throughout multiple Routes (timelines)" just sounds like a nightmarish scenario, especially if you've been fucking this guy, like come on. 😭
And something that would make Ene get especially pissed at him, is if he decides to reveal that he was responsible for orchestrating Haruka and Takane's deaths in the first place.
(In official media, Ene sees Konoha for the first time, on August 15th, 2 years after Haruka and Takane's deaths)
Though, there are probably KuroEne AU routes where Konoha and Ene don't get the chance to meet each other - Routes where Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body before the two can actually meet, so when Ene sees who she thinks is "Konoha" for the first time, it's actually Kuroha/Saeru. With this kind of setting, he could even pretend to be Konoha, if he wanted.
And then on August 15th, he proceeds with killing the Mekakushi Dan with sadistic glee (and even his S/O - though if he's feeling nice, then he can spare them, since he doesn't need to kill everyone), and forces Mary to rewind the world.
Thankfully, due to the nature of Ene's body and predicament, she won't feel physical pain even if he kills her. And then, a new Route (timeline) begins.
Shadow gate to love
Shadow gate to love is a song from the second single sung by Guilty Kiss, a sub-unit under Aqours. The group consists of Riko Sakurauchi, Yo
Song: (X)
Lyrics: (X)
The song, "Shadow gate to love," sung by the sub-unit, Guilty Kiss, in Love Live! Sunshine!! is sooo Sen ship-core.
It basically works for every Light/Darkness, Angel/Devil, and Narrative Opposites ship of mine. ✌️
My favourite version of Shadow gate to love is this fan-edit that pitches down the song to match the original voice actors’ voices, compared to their characters’ voices (which are higher in pitch)
Oh baby shadow gay~ 🌈
In KagePro, though, the mention of "Strong scented eyes" takes on another meaning cuz of the emphasis on EYES, particularly the Eye Abilities.
I also love the emphasis on the Light/Darkness aspect and seduction in the lyrics.
KuroEne: Kuroha seduces Ene by tempting her with carnal pleasures, and keeps the secrets of his plan to commit the Tragedy (killing the Mekakushi Dan on August 15th, Kagerou Day) hidden from her. He tells her "beautiful lies" in order to keep up his facade.
He decides to act tamer prior to the fated date of August 15th, catering to her desires and befriending and bonding her and spending time with her and actually getting to know her.
They'd do soft and fluffy stuff like go to the amusement park together, play video games together, and eventually, get intimate with each other.
Due to his inherently dark and twisted nature, Kuroha/Saeru prioritizes his own desires and desire for immortality, and constantly keeps causing the Tragedy by killing the Mekakushi Dan, Mary's friends, forcing the time loop resets.
He also believes that doing this allows him to be with his partner forever, because he can continue to come and meet them forever and ever.
Ai (愛) vs. Koi (恋) 💗
Azami's genuine pure form of love for her family, willingly sacrificing herself for her family.
Vs.
(In the context of a Kuroha ship AU)
Kuroha/Saeru holding a twisted form of affection and obsession for his S/O and wanting to continue the time loop Tragedy in order to be with his S/O forever in a twisted, selfish, self-serving way.
He looks up to his Masters and serves them, but won't put anyone else above himself and his wants and needs.
In the end, he's doing this all for Azami, because he believes that this is what she truly wanted and needed, but ends up being the one causing her the most suffering.
"Selfless" vs. "Selfish" love.
Ai (愛) vs. Koi (恋)
Azami -> "Loving someone for the sake of someone else"
Kuroha -> "Loving someone for one's own sake"
Kuroha's twisted selfish love and how he ultimately loves someone for his own sake, to experience the "high" of being in love...
"Love is Karma."
This fits so well with Kuroha/Saeru's character and KuroEne. Good god.
I can't put any more images due to Tumblr's image limit so you can read about the two loves (Ai vs. Koi) here
Source: (X)
Misc Rambles
If you wanna put it crudely or in funny terms, then Kuroha/Saeru ships are like the most elaborate ships with the time loop tragedy causing serial killer, in the history of anything ever. But actually really interesting and fascinating.
"I'm gonna kill you" boogaloo (and nothing else) is not very compelling for ships (and even in general) lol
In canon-verse, Kuroha/Saeru lacks humanity and forms of care for others (when compared to my other faves).
That's why I wanted to explore the ideas of Kuroha/Saeru messing around in the Routes and actually getting to know the Mekakushi Dan members before he kills them all.
I did a bit of edits on Kuroha's colours, then filled in the base colours for Ene~
Working with cool colours is super fun 🙌
Original Time: 45 minutes (Sped up by 16x)
BGM: Outer Science (ft. IA & ONE) 🎵
Rambles
This KuroEne kiss art is honestly one of my fave arts I've ever done 🖤💙🐍🐇🥺
This was the version of the doodle I posted online. I corrected the colours after I stopped recording.
Their expressions are sooo good here and I love the colours so much! I'm so proud because it has some of the best colour work I've ever done irt colour coordination.
I've been busy so I haven't gotten the chance to clean it up and refine it, so for now I just posted the doodle WIP.
I recorded me doing the rough colour drafts on my KuroEne doodle! 🥰
I originally recorded these around late July and posted these on my side blog back when I was still on priv, but I figured these are better to post on my art blog instead.
These aren't refined, and just me roughly filling in the base colours on my sketches to get an idea of colours
Since Idk when I'll get to refine these drawings and clean up the sketch and lines
Tumblr's finnicky with posting videos ngl, so I posted YT links this time. I put them as Unlisted. Feel free to check them out if you're interested in my drawing process ^^
I described my art process in the video description, but I can also put them down below in the post too.
At first, I chose a much more muted colour palette for Kuroha than I usually would. I wanted to try out Sidu's muted colours, since I usually pick saturated colours. But then at the end, I ended up picking a more vibrant colour palette for Ene.
And once I turned both Kuroha and Ene's layers back on, I noticed Saeru had muted colours while Ene had vibrant ones, so I was like "Ok, I need to coordinate the colours after this."
So I just recorded until I filled in the base colours.
When I record my screen with OBS, I put it on Window Capture so it doesn't record "Layer > New Correction Layer > Hue/Saturation and Gradient Map" menu screens.
So after I was done recording, I coordinated the colours and shifted both to saturated colours. I adjusted the colours with gradient maps and shifted the colours manually. I think I work much better with saturated colours anyways.
I shifted Saeru's tones to purple~ish reds because I love the visual contrast it creates against Ene's blues.
I shifted Ene's tones to a different hue of blue to match Saeru's colours better.
I also made Saeru have paler skin compared to Ene, cuz it makes sense with him being a snake/non-human ^^
The more red + purple toned Kuroha has really nice visual contrast against Ene's cool colours (blues) in her design~
At first I wanted to do both a Muted + Saturated colours version, but I think I just work better with saturated colours tbh. It was a fun experiment though.
I adore Sidu's aesthetic sense and colours and rendering. She has amazing values. Iirc she starts by painting in grayscale first, which explains why her values are so good.
KuroEne Doodles
Different versions I played around with!
This shows how I got to the current colours. I play around a lot with Correction Layers (Hue and Saturation, Brightness and Contrast, and Gradient Maps) until I get the ones that look the best to me ^^
OG
(+) Hue shift on Ene
(+) Red hue shift on Kuroha
(+) Hue shift on Ene
(+) Red/pink hue shift and increased saturation on Kuroha's skin
(+) Increased brightness and saturation on OG
(+) Hue shift on Ene
(+) Increased Brightness and red hue shift on Kuroha
(+) More red hue shift on Kuroha
(+) More red hue shift on Kuroha
(+) Multiply Layer on both
(+) Hue shift on Ene
(+) More red hue shift on Kuroha
(+) Hue shift on Ene
First one's the OG.
I first started with choosing a more muted colour palette than I usually would. I wanted to do quick rough colour drafts to get an idea for colours...
I'm not sure when I'll finally get to refine this (clean up the sketch), but it's one of my fave drawings I've done, so I wanted to add quick colours on it.
Picked a muted colour palette for Kuroha and a more vibrant colour palette for Ene, and then coordinated the colours after.
Art Process Rambles
I put the video description rambles under the cut (describing my art process)
Inspiration
Kagerou Daze VII -from the darkness- Kuroha/Saeru Illustration by Sidu
Ene SPDG (Super Pretty Dennou Girl) Illustration by Sidu
Outer Science MV by Sidu
I honestly love the idea of Saeru taking more red tones. Gives him more visual contrast against Ene's blues.
Because it just reminds me of the red tinted shots in the Outer Science MV where he smears the MekaDan members' blood onto his face... It fits him so well. I love these shots sm
Kuroha Speedpaint
Decided to fill in the rough base colours for this! I love doing rough colour drafts~ Helps me get a good idea of colours.
I put Outer Science as the BGM. Fitting for the Outer Science Person~
I also love the tuning and adlibs and robotic voice effects on the Len fan-cover of Outer Science so much~ The tuning is superior to the Original to me. So it's my personal favourite version of Outer Science and my favourite fan-cover.
Watching this fan-cover is what got me into KagePro. It was my first time watching the Outer Science MV.
The tuning and mixing in this fan-made rearrange cover is insanely good. It's stronger than the original. The chorus has so much oomph and power to it in this, and I love the added adlibs and robotic effects on certain lines.
I prefer the instrumentals (guitar riffs, drums, and bass) of the OG though. The fan-cover version's instrumentals sounds more like an arcade, which is also fun.
0:00
I start with colour picking from the colour edit I did as a guide for colours.
The original refs, the Kagerou Daze VII -from the darkness- Kuroha/Saeru illust and Ene SPDG illust are by Sidu.
Sidu has a great sense of values and picks very muted colours, so I did a colour edit for fun to shift colours closer to the saturated cooler tones I would choose.
Doing colour edits for fun first helps me harmonize colours better compared to if I just made a colour swatch. It helps me see how the colours work together.
The faster way to fill in the base colours would be to create a new layer and temporarily close all the lines, then select the outside of the lines, invert the selection, and then use the bucket tool. I'd do this for more refined drawings that are in the lineart stage
I manually fill in the colours when doing rough base colours though. Manually filling in the base colours is relaxing ngl
Since they're rough colour drafts, I'm not shading/blocking in shadows, I just wanna get an idea of how the colours look together
1:05 - 1:10
When I do Gradient Maps and Layer Mode effects, I either clip them to the Colours, or put them in a folder and set them to Through so they can show on the layers underneath it.
I realized I couldn't eye drop the exact colours on the colour edit ref with the Folder set to Through Layer Mode (60% opacity), so I duplicated it, then merged the layers
I also adjusted the settings of my Eyedrop tool later so that it can grab the colour from the image itself, rather than just the colour on the Layer it's on. Cuz if you're not on the exact Layer, then it won't grab any colour.
1:12
I was considering whether I wanted to airbrush the tips of the fingers with a dark gradient cuz I love the darkened gradient limbs design trope. Douman has it canonically, and my friend Raisu added it on Idate's design (which is why I always draw him with it).
Decided to go without it here tho cuz I feel like it takes away from the colours
1:42
Doing colour edits and adjustments with Posterization and Hue/Saturation effects can throw the contrast out of wack, so I adjust the colours myself on my own drawings.
I usually shift the hues of shadows and highlights (in comparison to the base colours) to keep the colours interesting. I try to use different hues for them so the colours can pop more. I was trying to come up with a good colour for the darker black inner clothes
2:17 - 2:25
After roughly colouring the black spirals around him, I use Posterization on CSP.
Window Capture on OBS only records the main window for CSP, but I went to Layer > New Correction Layer > Posterization which creates a Posterization layer. I adjust the colours with this, which increases the contrast and darkens the colours slightly.
I'll probably fix the colours of the dark sleeves manually later.
2:26
I draw my lines on vector layers so I can easily adjust and edit (move and scale down/up) my lines without losing quality.
I duplicate the lineart, so I can use a CSP Auto Action that colours the lines. I used to manually colour my lines, but this one's quick and you can get really pretty line colours with it, cuz it colours the lineart according to the colours underneath.
It doesn't show the windows that performs the Auto Action through the recording, but I downloaded an Auto Action available on the CSP Assets Store that's called "Better Line Color" that follows a series of steps (it can be mimicked manually on other programs) and adjusts the colour of the lines according to the colours underneath it.
I think when I refine the drawing more, I wouldn't have the dark spirals apart of the lineart, and would just paint it instead.
I was playing around with whether I wanted the coloured lineart to be on "Multiply" or "Colour Burn" Layer mode. Depending on the drawing, either has really nice effects.
On my other drawings, like the coloured IdaTatsu and Selena doodles I had, I preferred the coloured lines on Colour Burn Layer mode cuz it adds a subtle saturated glow to the lines. Here, it adds a slightly blue edge to the lineart.
I went with Multiply for now (just cuz this keeps the colours of the black spirals intact better, but I'll consider which one looks better after)
After the recording was done, though, I just switched back to the painted black spirals I originally drew.
Ene Speedpaint
0:00 - 0:32
I clean up the colours on Kuroha a bit. I also add back the gray transition colour on the hair (between the highlights and base colour)
I brighten the eyes a bit and make it slightly more saturated
0:32
I start filling in the base colours for Ene, picking from a more vibrant colour palette (edit of Sidu's art)
0:45
I realized that her digital structures are shorter on the side closer to her mouth, so I adjusted the lines a bit
0:48
I start filling in the rest of the base colours. At the time, I wasn't whether I want to have Ene's eyes as ice blue or saturate them more…
1:44
I wanted to saturate the skin more so it'd have more contrast, but decided to keep that for later.
1:58
Added a muted gray transition colour on the hair
2:00
Started splotching colours on the sweater and skirt to get an idea of colours.
2:25
Upped the Brightness and Contrast on the skin. Played around with Posterization on the Colours.
Since Kuroha's lines were black, I decided to do the Better Line Color on Kuroha's lines again. This time I used the Bucket tool to colour the lines with a dark blue colour, clipped them, duplicated the lines and then did the Better Line Color Auto Action again.
I also did the same for Ene's lines. I set it on Multiply cuz I liked the soft look the coloured lines
2:42 - 2:51
Before I added the colours, I just had Kuroha's lines above Ene's lines folder, and then had a white layer in the middle.
I was still wondering how I'd show Ene's hand on his sleeve, but Kuroha's colours still being over hers… I was considering just putting the folder of his colours on top of hers, but HMM…
For now though, I just duplicated the lines and colours for a PNG version, then cut from that, for showing on my socials
End: Once I turned back on Kuroha's colours, I realized that I chose a really muted palette for him and a really vibrant one for Ene, so after I finished recording, I played around with the Gradient Maps and saturated the colours and eyes more.
I'll definitely coordinate their colour palettes more later. I'll do a muted version and saturated version.
I've loved 9/6 and all related ships for over 10 years now 🥰💞
KuroEne was baby Sen's 1st ship that I was OBSESSED with as a 12 year old, and after 10 years, the KuroEne obsession is here to stay.
Snake x Bunny 🐍🐇
Ene's twintails look like bunny ears 💙
I came back to KagePro in April and got obsessed with Kuroha and KuroEne again, exactly as I predicted. Turns out I'm not immune when my meow meow mf gets handsy with my wife.
B*tches when Snake of Clearing Eyes. I'm b*tches! /lh
I first got into KagePro when I was 12 when I watched the Outer Science MV. Sidu's MV aesthetics and Kuroha's design drew me in immediately. Great design and song~
I'm obsessed with Meow meow mf charas. Black and white colour scheme and design aesthetics. Causes problems on purpose. Sen-core bastard cat. Smug chaotic edgy evil asshole character. Violent, unhinged, bloodthirsty and murderous. Arrogant with a huge ego that distances them from humanity (or social interactions).
All of my top fave masc charas are like this. There's literally no one with more obvious and predictable tastes than me LMAO 😭
Kuroha/Saeru, the embodiment of "Knowledge/Wisdom" as a dark evil cunning and malicious entity in KagePro, and the main source of conflict and tension in the plot, is so interesting to me.
The truly evil monster who wears the face of a past love.
With Ene, I'm very enamoured with her chara and design. The way the way she acts so cheery and self-centered in the hopes of Shintaro to open up more, how she wants to be someone else's friend to subside their loneliness, the same kind of loneliness she'd always felt back then… It also feels like over-compensation for her past regrets, wahh, Ene… ;_;
Rough sketch WIPs. I love their expressions here sm~ I started playing around with Gradient Maps cuz I love picking colours. My works tend to lean more saturated with high contrast, so I ended up going with a more saturated palette.
This shows my process for picking colours. The final one I ended up picking is the 1st one. It has a blue hue shift on Ene, red hue shift on Kuroha, and generally more saturated colours and higher contrast. The last one shows the colours I started with.
The more red + purple toned Kuroha has really nice visual contrast against Ene's cool colours (blues) in her design tbh~
I started off with a more muted palette (different from what I'm used to), but ended up going with more saturated colours cuz I think it fit the mood of the piece more. Though I think it'd still be fun to do both a Muted Colours and Saturated Colours version!
These doodles aren't refined, and just me roughly filling in the base colours on my sketches to get an idea of colours. Since Idk when I'll get to refine these drawings and clean up the sketch and lines
Shadow gate to love by Guilty Kiss is sooo Sen ship-core. It basically works for every Light/Darkness, Angel/Devil, and Narrative Opposites ship of mine. Oh baby shadow gay~ 🌈
KuroEne has such a unique context as a ship cuz it uses HaruTaka and KonoEne (my no. 2 KagePro ships), as a basis. Ene has a "special" relationship with the person that Saeru uses as his vessel.
KuroEne is like the equivalent of the evil sleep paralysis demon (in this case, evil sadistic parasitic snake) possessing your past love (Haruka), or the person that you're conflicted about, but still have a certain kind of tenderness for (Konoha)
Sadistic parasitic evil snake bf and computer virus gf~
Ene already gets flustered around Konoha who is airheaded. So with Saeru, the teasing would just be merciless, cuz Ene is easy to rile up. ENE BELOVED…
KuroEne is SUCH an interesting ship to think about and analyze due to their characters' context and the potential of the complicated, complex, and messy relationship that they would have.
They give me immense brainrot.
I'll talk about the setting of my KuroEne AU. I'll put the rest of my rambles and art WIPs under the cut! I copy pasted these rambles from my side blog and previous post, since it's pretty long.
It feels fitting to include it again, cuz it's basically the big summary of my KuroEne AU.
Art Rambles
Version 8: Lineart (Multiply + Colour Burn) + Increased saturation on Ene's Eyes (50% Opacity)
Version 7: Lineart (Multiply + Colour Burn) + Increased saturation on Ene's Eyes (20% Opacity)
Version 6: Lineart (Multiply) + Increased saturation on Ene's Eyes (50% Opacity)
Version 5: Lineart (Multiply) + Increased saturation on Ene's Eyes (20% Opacity)
Version 4: Lineart (Multiply + Colour Burn) + Increased saturation on Ene's Eyes (20% Opacity)
Version 3: Lineart (Multiply) + Increased saturation on Ene's Eyes (20% Opacity)
Version 2: Coloured Lineart
(Sketch is coloured a dark blue)
Version 1: Lineart (Multiply + Colour Burn)
(Sketch is coloured black)
KuroEne Kiss 😚 🖤 💙
Progress WIP shots of the Lineart set on Multiply vs. Multiply + Colour Burn (Combined)
These are still super sketchy lines for me since it's the 1st sketch pass (that looked good right away ^^)
I drew Kuroha with black nails (since I have a tendency to add painted nails and/or eyeliner on my fave) but Kuroha having black nails just felt so natural I forgot it was even a HC
I'm planning to do more sketch passes to clean up the sketch later on
Also I'm gonna say. Their headphones are lowkey annoying to draw 😭
Kuroha's are at least easier to draw due to the shape, but Ene's has this rectangular part on it that I honestly dislike drawing. I'll fix the sketch up eventually.
Also I adjusted the white colour on Ene's sweater compared to last time, so it's a bright tinted blue~ish white instead of pure white
Usually I don't repost stuff unless I redraw stuff (or make new edits and significant changes), but I figured I could talk about my art process this time.
I initially had Ene's eyes as ice blue for visual contrast against her hair.
With the lines being set on Multiply, the lines are slightly translucent
With the lines being set on Multiply + Colour Burn (combined), the lines gain a subtle glow on the edges.
In response to the lines being lighter, I upped the saturation of Ene's eyes.
I think having it at 20% Opacity looks best cuz it still harmonizes with the colours well
And I think I lightened the value of Kuroha's inner clothes a bit compared to last time. I'll play around with the values later.
I have a tendency to shift hues in my arts for the colours used for lighting and shadows, to keep things looking visually interesting.
That's why I roughly splotched red on Kuroha's hair, and pinks on Ene's hair and sweater to get an idea of colours
I've been playing around with a Auto Action called Better Line Color that you can find on the CSP Assets Store that colours the lines according to the colours underneath, and makes a subtle glow on the lineart.
It does some steps like Gaussian Blur, other adjustments, then sets the Layer Mode to Colour Burn, Linear Burn, or Multiply.
The duplicated lineart, when set to Colour Burn, creates a nice subtle glowy effect that I've been using on my coloured doodles.
Having coloured lines makes such a huge difference with my art. I think it has a really nice effect on my art 🥰
When I first tried it with the KuroEne doodle though, I was so confused cuz all white colours would show OVER the lineart. I found it strange cuz it didn't happen on my other drawings.
So then, for the KuroEne doodle, I just set the lines to Multiply Layer Mode instead. I think both versions look nice ^^
Colour Burn darkens shadows, deepens colours but preserves whites, so the whites show over the coloured lineart. The solution is to change the pure white to a tinted colour white instead. I'll fix that and make edits and combine both versions later.
So far, the dark spirals around Kuroha are on the same layers as the sketch, so it has the glowy lineart effect on it. Though I'll eventually make the dark spirals apart of the colours instead, like in Version 2
The version with the saturated purple glow still looks nice. This time I combined both Multiply and Colour Burn lineart versions.
...
I've been having fun playing around with colours, seeing which layers to turn off and such.
I've been playing around with Gradient Maps and Hue shifts and slightly different colours.
The purple/red toned Kuroha one is also really nice cuz it has nice visual contrast against all the cool colours (blues) in Ene's design
Red vs. blue contrast <3
Plus, it fits Kuroha to be tinted with red...
Considering the red tinted shots in the Outer Science MV where he smears the Mekakushi Dan members' blood over his face.
Love the chosen shots in this MV. Outer Science is my top fave KagePro MV due to its stunning visuals and visual storytelling. Additional Memory and Losstime Memory are also in my top faves.
The white, black and red shots here look so good. And the expressions as well~ I love Sidu's brilliant visual aesthetic sense.
KuroEne Rambles
Ok I also have something to add (once again I'm snatching these rambles from my side blog's rambles cuz I've yapped way too much about these two)
It's pretty unfortunate that my yapping and ramble posts outspeeds me creating art so I'm just waiting for the chance to draw so many of my KuroEne writing and art ideas so I can post them on main combined with drawings
Canon verse KuroEne is not “romance,” at least definitely not in the traditional sense. But there IS desire and passion, and a sense of yearning/longing, a need for warmth and fulfillment. It’s filled with desperation and tension and conflict, which makes it really interesting…
When I think about their relationship in this kind of canon-verse AU setting, it's infused with feelings of love, obsession, desire, passion, yearning, and attachment.
It's so fun to think about Kuroha's selfish twisted nature and dark urges, combined with Ene's bold tenacity and confidence. Since he's someone that's generally observant and good at reading people and their desires, it makes him pair well with Ene who has trouble facing more honest feelings and being open about the things she wants.
I think a lot of things are playing into their relationship dynamic. Like the circumstances of HaruTaka and KonoEne's context, Kuroha's omniscience and knowledge, desire, and a craving/yearning for warmth, touch, and affection and companionship on Ene's end, and the pull she feels for him because of the vessel he uses, and his intimate knowledge of her.
For 9/6 day, it's time to blast the anthem of my fave ship, Yuukei Yesterday~ The song dedicated to Takane's feelings and HaruTaka~ Tatatara!! 💗
Considering the theme of my art, though, I put a lyric from Shadow gate to love.
I also wanna say that I'm seriously obsessed with my genderfluid Kuroha HC 💞
Kuroha can change his body into whatever he wants by using Konoha's Eye Ability, Awakening Eyes. In Novel Route, he knows how to use Awakening Eyes to rebuild the body molecule by molecule and make him immune to other Eye Abilities.
...
I think it's interesting that canon verse KuroEne is a ship that's so tinged with angst and tragedy. But I also love that aspect about them.
I think that in the context of a Kuroha ship AU, Kuroha believes that he and his S/O have a connection of karmic fate with each other, in the way that they'll continue to meet across all the different time loops, for all of eternity.
Kuroha’s love would inevitably be very dark and twisted, because he is that way at his core. At the end of a Route, he kills his S/O, and/or their friends, in order to meet with them forever. Ensuring the next coming of a new cycle is a priority to him.
The intimate knowledge that Kuroha/Saeru would have of his partner’s desires, wants, past, insecurities, relationships, etc., due to all the time loop resets, is so interesting to think about.
And, he gets to be with the other party forever by doing this. It’s a win win for him! He doesn’t want to give that up. Cuz in some fucked up way, in his fucked up form of love and obsession, he creates the concept of “eternity” with his S/O, by killing them, and/or, their friends, constantly, endlessly.
...
Kuroha is someone that wants to draw out "truth" to add to his "knowledge" (massive knowledge bank) and explore endless possibilities.
And Ene is someone who has trouble being honest, especially with her wants/desires, and Saeru was created for the purpose of granting wishes. So he finds it fun to tease her and rile her up, and fulfill her desires for warmth and pleasure, etc.
Ene asks Kuroha if he's learning how to pretend to be human throughout all the time loop resets. Kuroha says there’s no “pretending” about it. And it's true. He's been here since even before the beginning of the world. He asks her if you can really call it pretending at that point.
The end of Outer Science's MV shows Saeru in Azami's hair even before the creation of the world. He's existed before humans were born. He knows the nature of humans better than anyone else after observing them for a long time. He has so much knowledge, that the sheer extent of it is just unfathomable to the average person.
Each time the Route resets, he gets to “perfect” his knowledge, and in the context of intimacy, he gets to know his partner and their intimate desires even better and better, each time.
He constantly refines and adds to his “knowledge” every new Route. He likes learning new things about the other party. Kuroha likes how Ene, with her confrontational, brazen personality, and predictable unpredictability, always manages to find a way to catch him off guard and surprise him.
Kuroha/Saeru possessing Konoha's body means he has his face. His body. His voice. Ene can't shake off the feeling of how uncanny his resemblance is to them, physically, and gets reminded of Haruka and Konoha around him.
...
Now I'll copy paste my rambles from my old posts that summarizes my KuroEne AU. Here. I added some new stuff at the end
KuroEne AU: Set-up
Source: KagePro LN: 7 - from the darkness - Colour Illustration Source: Sidu's Mekakushi Dan Members Colour Illustrations
Ok, I'm just gonna ramble about the setting of my KuroEne AU.
I also included a summary for context just in case my non-KagePro mutuals want to tune in to read these rambles.
I just wrote this quickly before I go to sleep. I have more to say but I think this is a good starter.
In official KagePro media, the present day plot starts after 2 years, on the fateful day of August 15th (Kagerou/Heat Haze) Day.
The Kagerou Daze, the never ending world, swallows up people who die on August 15th, and gives those with especially strong desires, who are compatible with an Eye Ability, a substitute life so that they can return to the real world.
In most Routes, Saeru ends up orchestrating Haruka and Takane's deaths. One thing you'll learn about KagePro is that this guy (Kuroha) is responsible for almost everything bad that happens
Because killing them so that they'd come out with an Eye Ability, is a part of his plan to get the rest of Azami's snakes out of the Kagerou Daze and into the real world.
Haruka's death leads to the creation of Konoha, and Takane's death causes her to lose her human body and become a cyber girl named Ene
There are multiple different ways that a KuroEne AU could go, depending on the Route. KuroEne AU Routes are so fun to write, because any time I get a new idea, I can just put into a different Route (timeline) to explore all the "What if" scenarios that don't fit into a single Route.
Kuroha's Plan and KonoEne
Source: @/x0401x
Mekakushi Dan Clear Files: (X)
Normally, the rest of the Mekakushi Dan members meet each other in the present day plot after 2 years, the fateful day of August 15th, the day Kuroha/Saeru plans to kill everyone.
Kuroha/Saeru's plan is to gather all the snakes with a new Medusa in the real world (bringing the rest of Azami's snakes out of the Kagerou Daze to the real world), and killing all Eye Ability users.
Then, he forces Marry, "the next Master," to rewind the world using the power of the Queen Snake, Combining Eyes.
In official media, Kuroha/Saeru usually possesses Konoha's body at the end of a Route on August 15th, the day he plans to proceed with the "Tragedy" and kill everyone.
I imagine that in my KuroEne AU, Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body MUCH earlier. Like, anywhere within the timespan after Takane and Haruka's deaths (1 - 2 years)
Because of this, Konoha and Ene usually end up meeting and befriending each other earlier. Ene recognizes Konoha as Haruka's game avatar from back then, and mistakes him for Haruka. Konoha asks if she has the wrong person, and Ene gets heartbroken at Konoha's seeming amnesia and inability to remember her.
Ene imposes a sense of distance around Konoha due to her conflicting feelings (he resembles the person she loved but isn't him).
In my AU, KonoEne establish a relationship dynamic of some kind (which varies depending on the Route), which either progresses to an acquaintance-ship, friendship, or intimate relationship.
Kuroha introduces himself to Ene for their first meeting in a Route
Source: Sidu's 2016 Calendar Hanafuda Set
And then, at some point, Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body. At this point, when he introduces himself and makes himself known to Ene for the first time, he can choose what information he wants to reveal, and how much.
For example, Kuroha can choose if he wants to introduce himself as Black Konoha, and/or "Saeru," or whether to reveal it for later. (And he also chooses whether he wants to reveal his true identity as the Snake of Clearing Eyes.)
Ene later nicknames him "Kuroha" and "Saeru" to shorten the name.
He knows that the 1st one would be more familiar to Ene. To introduce himself with the 2nd one would make Ene more distrusting/suspicious of him.
He most likely doesn't reveal his true intentions (to kill the Mekakushi Dan) so soon, because he knows that if he does, Ene is (obviously) not gonna want to "play the game" (of being intimate with him) anymore, cuz it means that he is literally putting her and her friends' lives in danger.
Though, across multiple Routes, he probably does play around and experiment with the timing of when he reveals certain information, and how much.
I think in most Routes, Ene is suspicious of him at first, and asks about his intentions and what he's really after, and Kuroha/Saeru just tells her that it's too early to say yet, and that she will find out soon.
(Though, Kuroha could probably quell her suspicions with enough convincing, due to the massive amount of knowledge he carries)
KuroEne AU: Context
Source: Mega Man Battle Network 6 (Rockman.exe 6)
In my KuroEne AU, Kuroha/Saeru, who has messed around with human technology and innovation, has been able to develop a humanoid android/robot body with human flesh that Ene can transfer into.
This concept is inspired by Mega Man Battle Network (Rockman.exe), specifically, the NetNavis (humans' companion AIs in this universe) from MMBN/EXE.
NetNavis can transfer into CopyBots (android bodies) for limited amounts of time, to move around in the real world. These CopyBots take the appearance of the NetNavi that transfer into it.
In my KuroEne AU, I imagine it's battery powered, but with every Route, he gets better and faster at making it. Like he improves the battery life over time, so it goes from lasting an hour to lasting a whole day, etc.
According to the KagePro LNs, Kuroha/Saeru has knowledge from everything from the start of civilization...
Shintaro in the KagePro LNs compares Saeru to "a living encyclopedia with a full grasp of everything from the start of civilization up to modern science."
That LN bit confirms that Kuroha/Saeru carries knowledge of the history of mankind and its technologies over (probably) millions or thousands of years.
Especially when scientists have made developments regarding wrapping living human-like skin onto a robot that can heal when cut.
If he carries knowledge from the start of civilization, so much knowledge that it's unfathomable to the average person, then yeah I definitely think he could get it done (especially for the sake of my AU).
KuroEne's Intimacy
Source: (X)
Scan: @/ayara-resara
Kuroha proposes that he has a solution for Ene not being able to move around in the real world, and introduces the little invention that he made, for her to test out, which Ene eventually agrees to, out of curiosity.
Ene feels a sense of gratefulness to him for allowing her to move around in the real world since it gets lonely in the cyber world, not being able to feel or touch anyone on the outside…
Kuroha gets to know and bonds with Ene, anywhere within this 1 - 2 year timespan, and at some point, Kuroha and Ene get intimate with each other.
Ene gives into the sense of longing/yearning that she feels for Kuroha/Saeru, a yearning for warmth and touch after being stuck alone in the cyber world for so long (in spite of everything - if she knows about his true identity at this point), which is in part caused by his vessel (being Konoha, who's in Haruka's body).
Kuroha knows how to react to her and what to say to her and how to act around her due to his knowledge, and so, seduces his S/O and tempts her with carnal pleasures, and they indulge in "the game/dance" of being intimate with each other.
Because Kuroha/Saeru keeps memories of previous Routes, he remembers memories of being with the Enes of previous Routes, and thus, knows how to react to her when talking/chatting with her normally, knows how to appease Ene's behaviours and whims, goes along with what she wants, knows how to get the responses he wants when he wants something from his partner (so he knows how to seduce them), and knows how to satisfy his partner in the context of intimacy.
Because of the knowledge he carries, he knows the context, past, Eye Abilities, vulnerabilities, etc., of every Mekakushi Dan member, and that includes Ene. So he'd definitely know about Haruka and Takane, and Konoha and Ene's context and relationship together.
The person who's her greatest enemy (whether she knows it at this point or not), very literally knows everything about her.
And not only that, the greatest enemy of the Mekakushi Dan, knows her better than she knows herself.
Kuroha's Nature
Source: COSPA - Tsumamare Series (Keychains and Rubber Strap Charms)
Not only does he weaponize Konoha's body by using Konoha's body as a murder weapon to kill everyone at the end of a Route, he weaponizes words, too. Kuroha/Saeru uses "knowledge" as an advantage over his partner, and weaponizes knowledge. Actually staggering advantage. Because he knows almost everything.
Kuroha ships are like the only time I have ships where one party in the ship has THIS much of an advantage over their partner.
Therefore, as I said before, Kuroha/Saeru ultimately has a power imbalance with his partner (any Mekakushi Dan member that he could be paired with).
He has an overwhelming advantage over his partner due to his role (set-up as an antagonist constantly killing the cast) and capabilities. It is ultimately in his favour.
That fact in itself, that the power imbalance exists, isn't inherently a bad thing, it just means that you NEED to tread carefully with portraying Kuroha's ships. I always make sure to depict my ships with as much care as possible, and as healthy as possible.
Ene is one of the characters who is a really good match with him. Because making Ene more assertive and dominant in the KuroEne ship, and making them take turns in leading intimacy, with having Kuroha letting Ene take control through their bedroom intimacy at times, helps alleviate this power imbalance slightly.
Kuroha is literally so fucked up dude cuz even his twisted form of affection that he holds for his S/O (the Mekakushi Dan member who he's paired with), is still in a twisted, selfish, self-serving way.
Due to his twisted nature, he embodies Koi (恋), "Selfish love," "loving someone for their own sake."
Even when he caters to his partner's pleasures, it still ultimately caters to his pleasures the most. That makes him interesting, though. Someone so inherently dark and twisted and sinister, with selfish desires like that… 🥰💖✨
Misc Rambles
So I imagine, in most KuroEne AU routes, he reveals his true intentions either approaching the fated day of August 15th, or right on the day of August 15th.
There's absolutely a sense of betrayal that Ene would feel following the reveal of his true intentions - he built up a relationship with her, on purpose, just to drop the worst possible scenario imaginable.
Like let's be real. The reveal of "I've been killing you and your friends throughout multiple Routes (timelines)" just sounds like a nightmarish scenario, especially if you've been fucking this guy, like come on. 😭
And something that would make Ene get especially pissed at him, is if he decides to reveal that he was responsible for orchestrating Haruka and Takane's deaths in the first place.
(In official media, Ene sees Konoha for the first time, on August 15th, 2 years after Haruka and Takane's deaths)
Though, there are probably KuroEne AU routes where Konoha and Ene don't get the chance to meet each other - Routes where Kuroha/Saeru possesses Konoha's body before the two can actually meet, so when Ene sees who she thinks is "Konoha" for the first time, it's actually Kuroha/Saeru. With this kind of setting, he could even pretend to be Konoha, if he wanted.
And then on August 15th, he proceeds with killing the Mekakushi Dan with sadistic glee (and even his S/O - though if he's feeling nice, then he can spare them, since he doesn't need to kill everyone), and forces Marry to rewind the world.
Thankfully, due to the nature of Ene's body and predicament, she won't feel physical pain when he kills her. And then, a new Route (timeline) begins.
Previous KuroEne Posts
【KagePro】 KuroEne/SaeEne 🖤💛💙
【カゲプロ】 黒コノエネ/クロエネ/冴えエネ
My shadow wants to swallow up this dream of yours.
KuroEne was baby Sen's 1st ship th
Happy 6/9! Happy HaruTaka/KonoEne/KuroEne day!!! 💛💙 I want to draw HaruTaka and KonoEne too eventually, but I haven't gotten the chance to d
In my new post (this one), I wrote more about the set-up of my KuroEne AU, and then copy pasted my old rambles. I copy pasted the summary of my KuroEne AU cuz it felt relevant since I'm posting the same art.
My old post has some more rambles regarding some general ideas of my KuroEne AU (since I didn't feel the need to copy paste the same stuff here too)
Shadow gate to love
Lyrics:
Shadow gate to love is a song from the second single sung by Guilty Kiss, a sub-unit under Aqours. The group consists of Riko Sakurauchi, Yo
Song: (X)
These lyrics work so well for ships like LimGuda, XanLena, IdaTatsu, and KuroEne.
The song sung by the sub-unit, Guilty Kiss, in Love Live! Sunshine!! My favourite version of Shadow gate to love is this fan-edit that pitches down the song to match the original voice actors’ voices, compared to their characters’ voices (which are higher in pitch)
Shadow gate to love is sooo Sen ship-core. It basically works for every Light/Darkness, Angel/Devil, and Narrative Opposites ship of mine.
It’s my song to fall back on if I can’t think of any other songs for my ships. I think it fits these 4 the best, though.
Oh baby shadow gay~ 🌈
The lyrics are in the link above.
The lyrics of the song works for all of my meow meow mfs in general.
In KagePro, though, the mention of "Strong scented eyes" takes on another meaning cuz of the emphasis on EYES, particularly the Eye Abilities.
I also love the emphasis on the Light/Darkness aspect and seduction in the lyrics.
KuroEne: Kuroha seduces Ene by tempting her with carnal pleasures, and keeps the secrets of his plan to commit the Tragedy (killing the Mekakushi Dan on August 15th, Kagerou Day) hidden from her. He tells her "beautiful lies" in order to keep up his facade.
He decides to act tamer prior to the fated date of August 15th, catering to her desires and befriending and bonding her and spending time with her and actually getting to know her. They'd do soft and fluffy stuff like go to the amusement park together, play video games together, and eventually, get intimate with each other.
Due to his inherently dark and twisted nature, Kuroha/Saeru prioritizes his own desires and desire for immortality, and constantly keeps causing the Tragedy by killing the Mekakushi Dan, Marry's friends, forcing the time loop resets. He also believes that doing this allows him to be with his partner forever, because he can continue to come and meet them forever and ever.
Ai (愛) vs. Koi (恋)
Azami's genuine pure form of love for her family, willingly sacrificing herself for her family and mankind.
Vs.
(In the context of a Kuroha ship AU)
Kuroha/Saeru holding a twisted form of affection and obsession for his S/O and wanting to continue the time loop Tragedy in order to be with his S/O forever in a twisted, selfish, self-serving way.
He looks up to his Masters and serves them, but won't put anyone else above himself and his wants and needs.
In the end, he's doing this all for Azami, because he believes that this is what she truly wanted and needed, but ends up being the one causing her the most suffering.
"Selfless" vs. "Selfish" love.
Ai (愛) vs. Koi (恋)
Azami -> "Loving someone for the sake of someone else"
Kuroha -> "Loving someone for one's own sake"
Kuroha's twisted selfish love and how he ultimately loves someone for his own sake, to experience the "high" of being in love...
Reminded of that one chapter title from FGO: Tunguska Sanctuary event (Koyanskaya's main story chapter)
"Love is Karma, and Karma is..."
This fits so well with Kuroha/Saeru's character and KuroEne. Good god.
I can't put any more images due to Tumblr's image limit so you can read about the two loves (Ai vs. Koi) here
Source: (X)
...
If you wanna put it crudely or in funny terms, then Kuroha ships are like the most elaborate ships with the time loop tragedy causing serial killer, in the history of anything ever. But actually really interesting and fascinating.
"I'm gonna kill you" boogaloo (and nothing else) is not very compelling for ships (and even in general) lol
In canon-verse, Kuroha/Saeru lacks humanity and forms of care for others (when compared to my other faves).
That's why I wanted to explore the ideas of Kuroha messing around in the Routes and actually getting to know the Mekakushi Dan members before he kills them all.
I had fun playing around with the colours. Teehee 🥰💗
You can read more of my rambles under the cut.
Magi Manga: Ch. 112
Magi: Ch. 112
Based on this panel.
Misc Colour Edits (2024)
Original: 1
Colour Edits: 2/3/4
OG and colour edits I did back in 2024 :3
Misc Colour Edits (2025)
Colour Edits: 5 ~ 15
I remember I did the initial batch of Judar colour edits back in 2024 🖤 ❤️
I added some new colour edits now.
Manually edited the colours a bit with the 3rd one with the magic wand + bucket tool so it's a bit pixellated.
Gets the idea across though ^^
Might put these in its own post...
With my recent colour edits up top, I think my sense of picking colours has gotten stronger.
1st one for this set is the OG.
I love 3/4 out of the 2024 batch, and 5/6/8/11/12 out of the 2025 batch.
The 3rd and 4th one (2024), and the ones from the 2025 batch feel like the kind of colours I'd pick nowadays.
Rambles
Ok I actually don't have a long ramble thread like most of my posts do, cuz I made these edits on a whim.
The way I choose colours is just "Random bullshit go" /jk
Ok I'm kidding.
I mainly go off aesthetics/vibes and my preferences. 🙏
I like to shift colours to cooler tones for the overall colour palettes I choose, and then saturate red and pink tones.
I try to create visual contrast by shifting hues for shadows and highlights.
I use CSP's Adjustment Layers a lot (ie. Hue/Saturation, Brightness/Contrast, Colour Balance, Tone Curve, Gradient Maps)
I like doing colour edits for fun... They help serve as colour guides for me for when I pick colours for my own arts. 🥰🤭
I do them so I can see how the colours work together on the character's design, so I can edit/adjust the colours as needed to harmonize the colours.
It's more helpful to me than making a colour swatch.
Rambles
Rambles with my friend Feila 💗
Me: I think I'm getting better at doing colour edits… I love using gradient maps ✌️
I'm curious which ones you like?
It's cuz I'm considering doing a Judar doodle (eventually, not right now) with colour vibes based on my edits 🤔
Since I make colour edits to help me pick colours for future arts and improve my sense of picking colours. And also I just do these colour edits for fun 😌
I made the 6th one a while back. I recently made 2 ~ 5 now 💕
F: I really like 3rd or 5th :D
Me: Oooo ty! I like those ones too ^^ 2nd/3rd are pretty similar except for the hue change.
2nd is more blue, 3rd is more purple. I made the last image first out of my colours edits.
I like the glowy effect I chose later. The purple hue on the 3rd and 5th one are nice hehe
Ok the 4th one is too similar to the 2nd one now that I put them all together like this
My personal faves irt my aesthetics would probably be like:
2nd/3rd > 4th/5th > 6th
(I used slashes to tie them since the colours are pretty similar, but just use different hues)
F: I only play around with colours when I'm editing stuff :v
It helps me with colour theory so it's worth it
Me: I used to do colour swatches but then found doing colour edits more helpful. Cuz then I get to directly see on the colours work on the chara's design and how the colour palette works together
So then I can edit/adjust the colours as needed to harmonize the colours better 👍
F: Oohh. I don't do it that way, I mesh the original palette, played around with the lighting and then I trust the process
Me: Oooh I see! Yeah I remember I used to colour pick right off the original palette (official arts) and then shift the colours for my own arts.
Nowadays I pick based on my colour edits and colours/vibes and gradient maps to shift the colours 🥰🙏
Kuroha/Saeru wearing traditional Viet clothes (WIP)
Ene: Like a snake possessive over its gold 🐍🍎💛💙 (WIP)
Femme Kuroha/Saeru
Maid Kuroha/Saeru
Rambles
My skrunkly 🖤💛🐍
I love how the eyes are drawn 😌
I originally drew this in October and just got lazy to add clothes HAHA
Anyways I was thinking of changing the pose for the 1st Saeru doodle slightly… I'm gonna redraw it eventually.
I'll also redraw the MR2 version too since I wanna update the hair to make it consistent with how I draw it now.
The chibi Ene looks really cute... I've been experimenting with a semi-SD/chibi style recently! I love my wife... 💙
Posting my doodle log here.
Rambles under the cut ^^
KuroEne LGBT+ HCs 🖤💙🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
I love my NB genderfluid Kuroha/Saeru HC 💗
Talked about it more here where I included my rambles with Feila.
I'll just copy paste the relevant parts.
I personally HC Kuroha/Saeru as NB genderfluid. I'm obsessed with this HC honestly
I love giving the bi beam and trans/NB beam to my faves since I'm bi NB ^^
Saeru can use Awakening Eyes to change his body into whatever he wants. That’s Genderfluid swag right there
His genderfluid swag is coming in clutch for me!!! 🏳️🌈
Saeru, an ancient being who existed even before human civilization existed, and while possessing Konoha, can use Konoha's Eye Ability, Awakening Eyes, to rebuild the body molecule by molecule in KagePro's Novel Route, and can change his body and appearance into whatever he wants.
I love my NB genderfluid Kuroha/Saeru HC 💗
Talked about it more here where I included my rambles with Feila.
I'll just copy paste the relevant parts.
I personally HC Kuroha/Saeru as NB genderfluid. I'm obsessed with this HC honestly
I love giving the bi beam and trans/NB beam to my faves since I'm bi NB ^^
Saeru can use Awakening Eyes to change his body into whatever he wants. That’s Genderfluid swag right there
His genderfluid swag is coming in clutch for me!!! 🏳️🌈
Saeru, an ancient being who existed even before human civilization existed, and while possessing Konoha, can use Konoha's Eye Ability, Awakening Eyes, to rebuild the body molecule by molecule in KagePro's Novel Route, and can change his body and appearance into whatever he wants.
KuroEne wearing Việt Phục 🖤💙🐍🐇
I talked about my ideas about KuroEne wearing Viet clothes here
I have more ideas about this ofc but I'll put it in a separate post.
I wanna draw KuroEne in matching couple clothes (Vietnamese traditional clothes) 🖤💙
Imagine KuroEne in Vietnam wearing Việt Phục (Vietnamese traditional clothes) 🥺💞💗💖
I'd imagine that Saeru would wear black Áo giao lĩnh (Cross collared dress) and Ene would wear blue Áo Tấc (Ceremonial dress)
My skrunklies going on a vacation in my home country would be peak comfort for me~
I'd love to see them wear Việt Phục while in Vietnam's historical sights and gorgeous landscapes!
I want Ene to wear a gorgeous fairy style blue Áo Tấc with translucent sleeves and a white translucent shawl! My wife would look absolutely gorgeous WAHHH 😭💙🤍💞💘💓
Kuroha/Saeru would fit really well with the last one (painting)
I love the black and white, and gold embroiderings.
The black one is SO Saeru-core RAHHH
Saeru's MR2 Form Redesign 🖤❤️🐍
I originally sketched my first few sketches in October.
Haven't drawn his clothes yet but I plan to make him wear Viet clothes…
I'm planning for this doodle to be "Kuroha/Saeru wearing Viet traditional clothes"
Something something I feel like doing a Kuroha/Saeru MR2 (Manga Route 2) redesign with more influence from traditional clothes (including Viet traditional clothes).
WIP for now since I've been busy atm.
I haven't drawn clothes on him yet.
I think I will resketch Saeru's pose in the 1st one eventually. I originally drew it in October. I'm planning for this doodle to be Kuroha/Saeru wearing Viet traditional clothes.
Cuz I fuck with everything on this design EXCEPT for the canon design's crop top. I love the black snake scales on his face, the cute little tufts of hair and black horns, the braid in the back that looks like a scorpion's tail like Judar's, red sclera and red gradient limbs, and the white sash with bloodstains on it.
Since Azami is Saeru's creator, I'll be incorporating more of Azami's traditional clothes inspired outfit onto his design~ Since the slit in Azami's outfit also reminds me of some Viet traditional clothes like Áo dài ("Long dress")
Pretty indecisive how I want to draw his hair, but I settled on the 1st one since it looked the best to me.
It has better weight to them and I like the roundness + spikes combined. The pose is tentative for now too
I'm planning to draw both the normal form and MR2 (Manga Route 2) form with this outfit.
I haven't decided how I want to draw the MR2 version hair yet
Picked my faves of my hair attempts.
I'm gonna redraw Saeru's MR2 (Manga Route 2) version's hair at some point.
I love both of Saeru's forms, but I still need to get good at drawing it.
I feel like I'm MUCH better at drawing the usual Black Konoha form
I love Saeru with black painted nails HC~ It just feels so natural 😌
I think in MR2 Saeru's design, the horns are blunt to match the shape of Black Konoha's usual headphones.
I think MR2 Saeru with black pointy horns looks cute! I like how it evokes a devil's image.
Fits him since villains are usually designed with pointy shapes and sharp shape language since it evokes a feeling of danger.
Though it'd be fun to play around with the shapes of his horns!
Misc Rambles
I originally sketched this in October.
Haven't drawn his clothes yet but I plan to make him wear Viet clothes…
I'm planning for this doodle to be "Kuroha/Saeru wearing Viet traditional clothes"
Something something I feel like doing a Kuroha/Saeru MR2 (Manga Route 2) redesign with more influence from traditional clothes (including Viet traditional clothes).
Though I might just turn this doodle into my MR2 redesign and keep both Black Konoha doodles I drew (Usual and MR2)
WIP for now since I've been busy atm.
I haven't drawn clothes on him yet.
I think I will resketch Saeru's pose in the 1st one eventually. I originally drew it in October. I'm planning for this doodle to be Kuroha/Saeru wearing Viet traditional clothes.
Cuz I fuck with everything on this design EXCEPT for the canon design's crop top. I love the black snake scales on his face, the cute little tufts of hair and black horns, the braid in the back that looks like a scorpion's tail like Judar's, red sclera and red gradient limbs, and the white sash with bloodstains on it.
Since Azami is Saeru's creator, I'll be incorporating more of Azami's traditional clothes inspired outfit onto his design~ Since the slit in Azami's outfit also reminds me of some Viet traditional clothes like Áo dài ("Long dress")
Pretty indecisive how I want to draw his hair, but I settled on the 1st one since it looked the best to me.
It has better weight to them and I like the roundness + spikes combined. The pose is tentative for now too
I'm planning to draw both the normal form and MR2 (Manga Route 2) form with this outfit.
I haven't decided how I want to draw the MR2 version hair yet
Picked my faves of my hair attempts and put them above.
I'm gonna redraw Saeru's MR2 (Manga Route 2) version's hair at some point.
I love both of Saeru's forms, but I still need to get good at drawing it.
I feel like I'm MUCH better at drawing the usual Black Konoha form
I love Saeru with black painted nails HC~ It just feels so natural 😌
I think in MR2 Saeru's design, the horns are blunt to match the shape of Black Konoha's usual headphones.
I think MR2 Saeru with black pointy horns looks cute! I like how it evokes a devil's image.
Fits him since villains are usually designed with pointy shapes and sharp shape language since it evokes a feeling of danger.
Though it'd be fun to play around with the shapes of his horns!
(EDIT: I finally drew the MR2 form in a way I'm satisfied with. I'll draw some more doodles of his MR2 form and update this eventually...)
Femme Saeru 🖤💛🐍
KagePro: Femme Kuroha/Saeru (2025) 🖤💛🐍
I drew my buff NB genderfluid Saeru HC!
I like thinking of femme Saeru having rather messy hair and a long ponytail in the back that's wavy like a snake shape…
I didn't want her hair to look too round so I kept the usual bangs, but made her hair messy.
I tried re-imagining my buff NB genderfluid Kuroha/Saeru HC!
It's my HC design of femme Saeru
I drew the femme Saeru doodle much quicker so it's not as refined but it gets the rough idea down
Since Kuroha/Saeru can use Awakening Eyes to change his body to whatever he pleases, and is able to rebuild its body completely, I imagine Saeru switches between genders and has a fluid sense of self. Though he has a certain affinity to being masc-aligned. Mainly presents as masc.
Most femme Saeru fan designs I see have her as more cutesy femme with a skirt, but I wanted her to have a more ikemen look and still look really menacing and dangerous.
My friend Feila said they think it fits genderfluid femme Saeru to be more androgynous and still wear the usual clothes with the pants and boots
...
I drew femme Kuroha/Saeru!
I like femme Saeru being more androgynous so she still wears the clothes of the usual Black Konoha form
I need femme Saeru to be toned/muscular RHAHDHSHGHSHGS 💕
Drew the holes in her shirt and added a bit…
Femme Saeru having a long ponytail in the back is fun. I like thinking of it being wavy like a snake shape…
I didn't want her hair to look too round so I kept the usual bangs but made her hair messy.
KuroEne 🖤💙🐍🐇
KagePro: KuroEne 🖤💙🐍🐇
Like a snake possessive over its gold. 🐍🐇🍎💛
Been thinking of a potential KuroEne art piece with Ene with artistic nudity/Barbie doll esque nudity where it's Ene right after she gained her cyber body with snake scale marks/texture imprints on her body (on her thighs and wrists, etc.) and in the background shot is a side profile shot of Kuroha/Saeru holding and biting into a golden apple
I was inspired by the concept of using an “X-ray to see fingerprints” 🩻
And the bite marks too... Hehehehe.
Golden Apples = Represent Immortality 🍎💛
I think it’s interesting cuz this kind of piece would also convey Kuroha/Saeru’s obsessiveness and possessiveness. Both over what he doesn’t want to let go at all costs (pseudo immortality), and his S/O. Like a snake possessive over its gold (immortality)
Misc Rambles
So my idea was KuroEne with Ene with artistic/barbie doll esque nudity after she first gained her cyber body and snake mark texture imprints inspired off the X-ray arts by Sidu.
And I wanted to a cut-in shot of draw Kuroha/Saeru biting into a golden apple which symbolizes immortality 🍎💛
I think it’s interesting cuz this kind of piece would also convey Kuroha/Saeru’s obsessiveness and possessiveness as a character in my AU. Both over what he doesn’t want to let go at all costs (pseudo immortality), and his S/O.
I also like to think of it as Kuroha/Saeru leaving his marks on his S/O throughout the time loops with how he keeps memories of past Routes (timelines)
Like a snake possessive over its gold (immortality) 🐍🍎💛
I haven't drawn Kuroha yet, so I just drew Ene for now in a more chibi esque style. Might play around with the brushes...
I've been experimenting with my semi-SD/chibi style.
I just drew Ene for now in a more chibi esque style. Might play around with the brushes...
I just used a snake scale textured brush for now to get a rough idea. I'll experiment more later.
The idea of a snake curled around her (metaphorically) is inchresting
Inspired by these arts by Sidu.
Inspired by the shots of Takane turning into Ene, the LN 5 -the deceiving- of the MekaDan members with X-ray shots that shows how each member died and came into contact with the Kagerou Daze and gained their Eye Ability, and the Kuroha/Saeru Joker card art by Sidu
Inspiration
Maid Kuroha and Ene
Caption: In the midst of doing as you please.
I had an art idea of maid Kuroha in a black and white maid outfit with black thigh highs getting touchy with Ene, either having a hand on her hip or trailing a finger into her thigh highs, with a smug ass expression.
Ene has a tsundere pout (//>3<//) while she holds onto the rope connected to the leashed collar around his neckband/neckwarmer, and Ene clearly has bite marks and hickies over her neck and thighs
I actually drew the above doodle with NSFW intent, but since it's just suggestive on its own since it's still a WIP, I think it can be posted.
My art concept in my head is different than the doodle posted above, but it's just to give a rough idea
Like for this specific art idea, I imagined him sitting on a TV similar to the Outer Science MV.
Snake and its Gold 🐍🍎💛
Rambles with Feila.
KuroEne art ideas I wanted to draw 🐍🐇
Started a sketch for a suggestive but erotic type art 🙏
I imagine the split shots of Saeru biting onto the golden apple in my art ideas would be like this
Inspired by the way Sidu's arts have the cut ins like the KagePro Visual Fanbooks
Me: I think it's also tasty to think about too like the venom/poison of a snake...
Takane assumably died in the Comic and Novel Routes via getting poisoned by Saeru and that's how she came into contact with the Kagerou Daze and got Opening Eyes and her pseudo immortal body.
Saeru inadvertently managed to succeed at gaining the pseudo immortality he wanted (even if not for himself), with the creation of her body.
F: I'm sorry Idk what to respond with, this is too good
(Insert that "Hold up!!! His writing is this fire???" meme)
Me: No worries~ Ty though~
F: The idea of "injecting your poison into your lover" is FNJIUKBEFWEFWB (if done correctly)
Me: Yeah. I'd love to imagine Kuroha/Saeru dropping Kenjirou's body sooner and doing it himself
(Since he drops Kenjirou's body much earlier in my KuroEne AU to be able to meet Ene as Black Konoha)
Like when Takane collapses from her chronic illness, he just gets out a poison injected needle or something.
F: What's up with your ships and dangerous Metaphors
KuroEne (Kuroha/Ene) Skeb Chibi Commission by Akiko (@/Akiko_141)
Akiko's Instagram: (X)
Akiko's VGen: (X)
Intro
I commissioned Akiko to draw my beloved KuroEne 💙🖤🐍🐇
Akiko's Skeb/Omakase/Surprise Me style commissions are so good!
I'm SO happy to see KuroEne in Akiko's style 💗💞💘
They look SOOO cute! 🥺🫶
Akiko captured Saeru's smug grin and Ene's energetic smile so perfectly!
I LOVE how Akiko drew their expressions... Their expressions look so good!!!
Kuroha and Ene look so cute in Akiko's style! 🖤💙
I love the colours, and their poses and expressions 🥺💗✨🫶
Akiko's art style is so incredible. I love her stylization and the way she draws eyes 💖
I love the use of thick black lineart for Saeru and Ene… The colours really pop! 💗✨
Their poses and expressions are SO perfect 🥰✨ Akiko captured their vibes perfectly!
I'm so happy with how the commission came out~ 🙏
I also love how Akiko gave Saeru eyebags and paler skin compared to Ene. It fits him so well, design-wise ^^
I requested for Ene's digital facial structures to be shorter on the side closer to her mouth, and for Saeru to have snake eye pupils, details which Akiko kept in mind ^^
Thank you to Akiko for always being so understanding with minor design detail fixes, like with Saeru's headphones and inner black shirt 🙏
Commissioning her is always a pleasure! The final product and art quality are top notch! They look like official stickers… 😊💗
Akiko's art style is so clean! They're SO cute in Akiko's style! 🖤💙
I also love how Akiko made Ene's twintails look so swishy, like droopy bunny ears… 🐰
They look SO cute ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ (˶◜🖤💙🌟
Akiko always delivers 🙏
VGen Review
My Skeb chibi commission of Kuroha and Ene turned out absolutely amazing!! 🖤💙 They look so cute! 🥺💘💞
Akiko's art style is wonderful! Super cute unique chibi style and really pretty vibrant colours! 💗
I LOVE the chosen colours and how Akiko drew their poses and expressions! Akiko has a wonderful stylization and colour sense~ The colours are so aesthetically pleasing!
This is my 2nd commission from Akiko, and I was pleasantly surprised by the fast delivery!
I'm always so amazed by the high art quality! It's always such a pleasure to commission you!
Thank you so much for the wonderful commission! I will definitely be back to commission again in the future! 🥰💖✨
My Message
Kuroha and Ene look SO cute in your style! 🖤💙🐍🐇
I love how you drew Kuroha's smug grin and Ene's energetic smile! They look so lively in your style! Absolutely adorable~
I love how you drew their poses and expressions, and the vibrant colours you chose! 🥺💗✨🫶
I love the visual contrast with the yellow and blue border colours ☺️
Your art style is so incredible! I love your stylization and the way you draw eyes~ You captured their vibes perfectly!
I'm so happy with how the commission came out~ They look so perfect! 🥰💖
I love how you drew Kuroha's snake eye pupils and eyebags and included a small snake. They're such neat additions that fit him so well design wise!
I also love the flow of Ene's hair~ Her twintails look so cute and swishy, like droopy bunny ears 🐰🐇💗🫶
Thank you for always being so understanding with minor design detail fixes! 🙏
I was pleasantly surprised at how fast the artwork was completed.
Commissioning you is always a pleasure! The final product and art quality are top notch! 😊💗
Have a nice day~
Misc Rambles
OH MY GODDDDDDDD
I'M GONNA SCREAM THEY LOOK SO CUTEEEEE 😭🥺💘💗💞
AKIKO'S STYLE IS SO AMAZING 😭🥺💗🫶✨
Akiko's stylization is so perfect 💗💘
I love Akiko's colours! Their expressions and poses are so perfect! She captured their vibes so well!
They look so lively in Akiko's style!
Absolutely adorable~~ 🥺🫶
I love the vibrant colours she chose!
Akiko's style is so clean. The comm art she made for me honestly looks like official stickers/charms
I love how Akiko gave Saeru eyebags and paler skin. Great additions honestly... They fit his design so well.
Commission Form
These were the refs I sent!
1/3/4/5: Colour Edits by me
Prior to sending the commission request, I sent a message asking if they were OK to draw to make sure that their designs weren't too complicated
Since I wanna make sure the charas I commission are still in the artist's comfort zone to draw, design-wise ^^
AKIKO'S COLOUR SENSE IS SO GOOD I'M SCREAMINGGGGG
THE WHOLE ART LOOKS SO GOOD RAHHHH AKIKO'S STYLIZATION IS TOP NOTCH
OH MY GOD HER STYLIZATION IS SERIOUSLY SO PERFECT
THEY LOOK SO PERFECT!!!
It's also cool seeing she put the art in her Skeb chibi comm samples… 🥰
I wanna squish them… My skrunklies 💞💘
They're so smol I could fit them in my pocket
OMG I love the airbrush on the ends of Ene's hair…
Akiko is always such a pleasure to commission!
She also incorporated my request to give Saeru snake eye pupils 🥺
Her colour sense is literally so good… Her art looks so striking!
They honestly look like official stickers…
She has top notch art quality and really good range with the characters she can draw
Also Ene's twintails look so swishy in this… They really do look like bunny ears
I was pleasantly surprised at how fast the artwork was completed!
I sent the comm request form in April ^^ My queue slot was started a few days ago, so it took only a few days
I love the vibrant colours Akiko chose! They really pop! 💖✨
I love how my chibi commission came out! 🖤 💙
Akiko's art style and stylization are so amazing. She captured their vibes perfectly~
I love how she drew their expressions and the vibrant colours she chose ☺️ 💗 ✨
Akiko is really understanding with detail fixes. I asked for a few minor edits to add Kuroha's black inner shirt and the gray squares/black band for his headphones, and the line connecting his facial circles.
I also asked to colour the outer rim of his headphones as black so it'd have more contrast against his hair
I love the contrast with their hair highlights!!
The yellow and blue silhouettes look so good…
The yellow and blue border colours really makes them look like charms 🙏🥺
Feila pointed out that the way Ene's twintails are drawn makes her look like a puppy /pos
I agree! She looks so cute!
Love how Ene's twintails makes her look like she has droopy floppy bunny ears... 🥺🥰💙🐇🐰🫶💘
