IhaReno fanworks @woanderfanworks - Tumblr Blog

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For now it's all IhaReno. *

Total number of fanarts posted: 8.

If anybody wants to make more skilled versions of my fanarts, so as in, use them as sketches, don't hesitate! Just let me know though.

(One image expresses more than a thousand words, but for convenience I've added titles).

One of the things Reno loves about Iharu is he never just takes — he always gives, too. It's a mutual thing (he expresses an interest in mutuality in ch 100-101). Even before he really dared to hope for anything, Reno was looking for a man who will hold him when he's falling apart. Not like he's fragile but like he matters. A hero for his heart (how he frames saving in ch 101). With Iharu, vulnerability was never a weakness or a burden, but something to build mutual trust and strength inside of (ch 63).

It's how they live, these days, closer than ever. And when they're naked together, feeling each other with every bit of their being, that safety is what makes Reno want, so deep, so fiercely. With Iharu, he gives in. Holding him dearly in throes of passion. A flame in his arms, firing him up and warming him out of any last thread of restraint.

Here's the full version (showing a little): https://url-shortener.me/JU2S

When just peacefully being with the other is enough.

The title can be "breathing with you", or something similar, as there are two driving themes:

refuge.

presence.

Refuge because:

to Reno, Iharu is a refuge from chaos and stress/overwhelm. (ch 63).

to Iharu, Reno is a refuge from judgement (he's not competitive).

Refuge is only one ingredient of romantic love. Still, a non-negotiable one.

As for presence:

Usually I try to avoid generic (like this could be any other two characters). But the emptiness here:

is a nod to the "simply being with the other can be enough". No extra stuff (actions, meaning, objects, colors, etc), just them, together, existing with each other. Finding value — comfort (it's restorative, regulating), connection — in the simple act of being with somebody who feels safe, meaningful, supportive; personally dear.

backgrounds the what exactly they're doing (hugging/etc) and foregrounds the experience they're having: who they are to each other and how they're feeling because of that when being with the other in such a basic way: when the other is "not doing anything" but simply is, with them (because even then, the person is a model in one's brain, comprised of memories and expectations, thus generating certain emotional states even if the other isn't doing anything or can't do anything anymore due to being dead). The answer to both being: many things, but in this drawing "refuge" is the focal point.

In that, it's fairly zen, e.g. how emptiness/space in zen isn't a lack but an object in itself (kind of/simplistically speaking). So e.g. in visual works it's part of the end result rather than something devoid/to fill with stuff.

At the end of the world

you can lean on me.

Let my heartbeat

be the soothing rhythm

amidst the chaos.

The drawing's title could be something like "you can rely on me" or "leaning on each other". I think one of the main themes is: intimacy as breathing space amidst pain & the soothing rhythm of the heart against the unknown.

Either way. Ended up a bit more angsty than intended. The image came to my mind before the idea did; it's more an emotional fanart than a character study one, for a change. But still has some...

...References:

body language: Reno's more internalizing, reserved; Iharu's more externalizing, open. Just like they are in canon. Also, Reno is leaning into Iharu more, while Iharu is standing more on his own, as a reference to how Reno can rely on Iharu (ch 63-64); it works both ways but for this drawing it felt more apt to have Reno be leaning on him while Iharu is more a leader type figure, to show both the strength of reliability and the vulnerability and intimacy (trust) of relying on somebody. Otherwise, them both being the former fits all good.

background: the sun could be rising, referencing spring which is symbolically part of their theme, though it seems more to be setting *. Golden + violet/etc = Iharu's + Reno's eye colors. The blockiness of the colors is supposed to resemble sound waves, as in, music — which is their shared fav (character pages in the manga list among their favs: Reno: music, iharu: rock).

their colors surrounding them = their joint force against any obstacle, referencing ch 63.

the violet-golden flower petals, kind of referencing crocuses, as the hope, comfort, and fire of spring — a symbol of what they find in each other, also in canon (see e.g. Reno's No.6 trial arc).

Reno has earphones in his pocket — a reference to his affinity for music — for when him and Iharu want to listen together, in that inconvenient old-school way.

Also:

the vibe is: Iharu — the likely future captain of the Third. The leading punch. The hope, the sunrise, the spring. The awakening. Reno — the quietly reliable support who'll literally kill himself to keep Kafka and Iharu (and others) safe.

I imagine this is a few years later, maybe five or so, after they've been through more hardships, more kaiju attacks and catastrophes. Each other's rock, comfort, home. Driven so ardently to becoming stronger BECAUSE they have somebody to fight for (after all, Reno's devotion to Kafka could be the very reason he's progressed at such an unmatched speed: intrinsic motivation, honest passion can make one make wonders).

they're not zoomed-in-on, to represent that "them within the world" or even "them against the world"/etc. The broader picture of what they are in the world and how they influence it and how it influences them. How it makes them hope, wonder, wish, fear, yearn, regret, question, … .

there's a lovebite on Iharu's neck. Because even though Iharu has become more confident, leading the Third with his unstoppable, thunderous fire and his devoted, reliable partner by his side, Reno wants to make sure Iharu remembers, always, every day, that he's loved and cherished, not just for what he can do but for who he is.

the small dressing on Reno's face could indicate something serious that might have happened recently. They know each new day might be their last. They goof around together, finding relief in humor, but it is true their job comes with serious risks. And so they cherish the ability to feel each other safe in their arms. At the end of the day, that's the least they can hope for.

their joint hands over the fading: an "even if we lose ourselves, our bond will help us find our way back".

the starry sky with shooting stars might symbolize wonder, the unknown, fate, the end, a cataclysm, hope, ... . Again: the image came to my mind before any specific idea did, so it could mean many different things.

* perhaps as a loss/weakening of hope in the face of struggles.

SIDE NOTE: A lazy poem that happened while drawing (not really strictly connected, but relevant as in "if I were to describe what this is about, this is one of the possible things"):

you can bleed your tears into my heart

i'll carry you safely through the night

i'll be the guiding light to warm you up

when you wake up and it was all a bad dream

no words need to leave your lips

but cry them into mine. i'll listen

and be your shoulder, your spine, your hand

in mine feels like home.

we don't need fireworks nor glitter

the night shines its own, velvet hue

the beauty of our smile is deeper

because it's true.

real blood gushing from our veins

our skin cut, the wounds are healing

as we find solace in each other's embrace

and patiently sit, together. waiting for nothing.

the stars are bright and old above us

the wonders so curious and so inspiring

but fear and selfishness kill the path. bloody is each step we take

to the light.

why would we ever run from darkness.

isn't it velvet? isn't it so calm?

doesn't it soothe our mind and our body?

no better balm than silence.

no scarier horror than empty space.

we sit with ourselves, back to back,

looking each other in the eyes

through the beat of our hearts. we listen to it

and to our breaths. the heat of our skin

how tension melts when we kiss through touch and touch through kiss

creating our own, personal bliss

amidst the unfathomable of the cold, inflamed world.

have my smile. i'll have yours.

Here's a less symbolic version:

And here's the explicit version that's also symbolically relevant instead of fanservicey, but tmk Tumblr's not healthy about these things, so: https://shorturl.at/2LVwI.

Reno's love runs deep and thick, like blood, and Iharu finds home in it.

The drawing as a whole is a sequel/more Reno-themed side to this one (Btw: I've changed it to have veins to go along with the lightning, for the reason explained in that post):

Iharu's fire is more out there...

...while Reno's is more intimate, obsessive, and ardent.

Where Iharu's fire opens up by emboldening and challenging...

...Reno's fire opens up by attention, intimacy of the connection (which might disarm, as he's reserved and doesn't connect easily; but when he does, he's all in. See his relationship to Kafka), and honest, deep passion in everything he does. And so...

...References:

• the theme comes from the fact that Reno=aries=mars/blood. Hence bloody fire: Reno is a fire sign, specifically, an aries which is associated with blood. It represents passion that's not loud and out there, but quiet and flowing in one's veins, deep inside. Profound, visceral, even obsessive (which Reno very much is in canon). It's intimate — hence the strong sexual theme (aries itself is the sign most strongly associated with sex, tmk). Sex is the most physically and emotionally intimate, vulnerable activity + the most passionate one.

• same for the color palette:

hot and dark (intimate): violet (Reno's eye color) + red (blood) = combined into this hot pink (kind of the color of Iharu's hair, too, probably inspired by: spring (Iharu's name)=cherry blossom=pink).

also a bit of orange (fire, since they're both fire signs) and golden (Iharu's eye color)...

...But the first two dominate, similar to how the previous drawing is dominated by the last two: more Reno's fire (intimate, quiet) VS Iharu's fire (out there, thunderous) (even though the previous drawing represents how Iharu IS, also, Reno's fire: the intense, wild, uncontained (never giving up) passion that will thunder (quietly) through anything).

• the golden flames on Iharu's body from the previous drawing have turned into more sensual, quieter, and in that violetred color — to represent how the kind of intimate love Reno seems the type to give consumes and embeds itself onto one's mind, how Reno's intimacy turns Iharu inward, giving him safe space to settle into the present moment instead of the constant need for rush and competition.

Reno isn't very competitive nor does he judge Iharu for being "weaker" (even though Iharu ends up being stronger via his flash adapter quirk); he's also patient and composed; which translates to that focused, grounded intimacy that calms and soothes instead of challenging (like Iharu's).

• in the more symbolic version, Reno is drawing blood from Iharu's heart, referencing:

Reno's yearning for Iharu/Iharu's fire (he wants Iharu's heart, his essence (leo is associated with the heart)), discussed and represented with the previous drawing.

Reno's obsessive passion/how intense his love seems to be (he doesn't just fully impose, but he cares deeply and becomes insanely protective ...and then he can become imposing, out of that deep care, as we see in his interactions with Kafka in canon).

the fact that Reno loves music (as per his character page) and Iharu, as a leo, is the heart (the very body part that can be associated with music (since it beats in a rhythm)). *

In the less symbolic version, Reno's hand is pressed flat over Iharu's heart, in that intimate embrace that soothes and reassures.

• the reason Reno is holding Iharu's member (non-explicit in this version) isn't cause it's sexy but:

one, to represent that care and love. He's caring, considerate, wants to make sure his boyfriend is feeling the best he can.

also the passion of wanting to touch him like that, obviously. Only a realistic element, if anything.

but two, that part of the body is the closest to holding the heart: tender, throbbing with the heartbeat. **

• their body language represents both their personalities [in the context of sexual intimacy] and a few other things. Reno's pose is embracing, maybe even borderline possessive (reflecting his canonical obsessive passion (not just as in "protective of those he loves, as at least partly a result of his trauma" but also as in his general passion even before meeting Kafka and Iharu, his "I'll never give up"/"I'll die before I get it" (ch 1))). Iharu's pose is still the confident/empowered from the prev drawing. I debated changing it to something more "melting", more intimate — but then:

one, the open pose = his unapologetic honesty. Which is an extremely important, emotionally mature aspect of his character (btw: see: "Iharu's emotional intelligence"), referenced in the previous drawing by his expression, nudity, and the thunder. He won't hide his vulnerability (unlike Reno might), he'll cry openly, he'll be loud, he'll show you how much he loves it, he'll kick you if he hates it (so will Reno, but Reno is more low-key, less confrontational about it unless he's comfortable (see e.g. how he physically berates Kafka for transforming in public)). *** And in conjunction with his empowered body language, it represents his vulnerability's, honesty's empowering effect (both to himself and to others (ch 63)): acceptance of how it is, and taking action towards our goals. The power of vulnerability — that's Iharu.

two, his current pose references what he's likely to feel from this kind of affection and desire: empowerment (well, many would; especially those more insecure about their worth, etc, which Iharu seems to be). The openness, beside referencing Iharu's openness and honesty, also references the open, vulnerable headspace of bottoming (well, sex in general. But especially the more sexually and emotionally intense one of bottoming) + how that intimate passion that Reno embodies can open one up, like giving up his heart into Reno's protective, devoted hands (I originally wanted Reno's grip on Iharu's heart to be more possessive, but decided to make it somewhere between that and caring. Not sure how it comes off).

it also references the previous image but that's less important.

So I went more the psychology and character study route than the all intimate/Reno's vibe route, to keep it more balanced.

Same for Iharu's expression: the almost painful bliss of orgasm, of course, but it's heightened by the emotional aspect: feeling so wanted, being held and cherished so intimately ****. It can overwhelm, even trigger defensiveness/rejection; maybe Iharu would struggle to accept that kind of love, maybe it would, in that sense, be painful to experience.

Based on canon, Reno's love seems so deep and ardent it'd soothe any insecurities related to self-worth — and while it's not healthy to be reliant like that on somebody, it's nonetheless part of how Iharu and Reno fit so well, making up for each other's deficits/struggles.

• the way I colored their erogenous zones (well, the "genitals" part of that; there's also nipples) — in the explicit version — is also a reference:

mars (Reno's planet) is associated with sex and the erogenous system. So, even though Reno's bits are partly hidden from view and in the shadow, I made them more of a reddish/pink color, to represent that connection to mars, but darker/not bright, since he's quietly intense and not bright/etc like Iharu.

Iharu's, meanwhile, are supposed to match his more golden skin tone (that we see in the anime. It's funny how it fits: Iharu's is more golden, Reno's is more pink/red) and are more bright to reflect his bright, loud personality.

also, I've colored Reno's parts like they're in shadow, not for realism but for symbolic relevance: it IS relevant to show what they're doing, but Iharu's openness, freedom, and a sense of comfort/safety fit for showing him fully, while Reno's part of things is about intimacy in the sense of his affection being for the space between them and not for a show. It also makes sense with his personality and the intimate/reserved aspect of his fire (he seems distant and cool, might not care easily, but once he does care, he cares with all his might: devoted, obsessive, protective).

The theme also ties in with what I wrote elsewhere, about their likely dynamic in sex: Reno soothing Iharu's insecurities, Iharu letting Reno's fire burn freely, not some stereotypical submissive bottom but an active participant, a lover that challenges to burn together, emboldens to do that through his sharp, playful, bold presence.

FOOTNOTES:

* As a matter of fact, the two characters Reno has any close relationship with in canon (Kafka, Iharu) are both leos (the only ones in kn8, on top of that)=the heart(=the "music" body part, and Reno loves music in general). Whether that's an intended connection (or as in, the reason for Reno's love for music) or not. His love for shonen manga seems to stem from a desire to soothe a yearning for heros that could have saved his family from the kaiju catastrophe that killed them; then cooking and music seem random, but maybe they're not.

** Him sucking Iharu off would be an even better visual analogy: taking Iharu's "heart" in his mouth (aries is associated with the head), almost as if swallowing it so they're "literally" heart-to-heart sort of thing (kind of stretched, but why not, symbolism is all about that anyway). But I wanted the "clutching at his heart" element, so had to choose.

*** In the "passion" drawing I originally intended for both of them to be naked, but I decided that Iharu being clothed highlights Reno's vulnerable aspect — and Iharu's honesty and openness is still represented through his body language and facial expression. Still, him being naked as well would work perfectly. So, here we're back to that symbol: his honesty as his open body language while completely naked. Taking it even further from the previous drawing. He's not hiding anything, even when he does "have something to hide" [because it's not selflessness etc culturally praised things].

**** The peak of that would be chest-to-chest, since turning to something with our back is the opposite of an open body language, and of course of intimate (also of "feeling safe", though on the other hand one wouldn't turn their back to perceived danger, so it's less of a stiff association). But, again, for the sake of the heart thing being doable I chose this position. The fanart is symbolic, so the priority goes not to what makes it sweet (e.g. eye contact, hugging, kissing) (or sexy, for that matter), but to what best fits the idea I want to depict (too bad though, and I want to draw more intimate fanarts for them).

Disclaimer: the majority of Reno's pose is copied from one of Matsumoto's extra drawings (of him; since if I do that, it's to keep their depictions resonant with canonical content); I just changed his left arm and hand, and his hair and expression are completely different. Same for Iharu's face/expression (but not hair).

Title: "passion". Because IhaReno is passion. Specifically, the core premise is that Iharu and Reno are two sides of passion:

Iharu:

the joyful: hype and joy (joy of life) (see e.g. how hype he gets in ch 64), vitality that comes from being empassionated.

the external: what passion looks like to others, the joy of passionate projects and sharing them, the social aspect of it.

the lighter, thriving aspect (Iharu isn't as much motivated in order to protect somebody/etc but from a more selfish place of just wanting to be better. Which ultimately stems from: wanting to be valued).

Reno:

the serious: relentless devotion, drive, motivation — even obsession (his obsession with protecting Kafka and getting stronger for him and Iharu) — that passion inspires.

the internal: what passion feels like deep inside, what it's like to live it, the solitary aspect of it (since Reno is more an internalizing type and seems somewhat a loner).

the heavier, deeply personal or even survival aspect (Reno's motivation is all about being the savior/hero he himself needed, and protecting Kafka's (and Iharu's) life. It's heavy; influenced by his trauma; coming with heavy responsibility and guilt).

So it's a rather boring fanart:

still a ship fanart...

...but doesn't depict an interaction but what they are together as a concept/symbolically.

References:

background: the image of a bleeding sun came to my mind. Iharu=leo=the sun (and it fits his personality: bright, welcoming/warm, out there/forward, invigorating and energetic, joyful/hype, etc) + Reno=aries/mars=blood (quiet passion running hotly deep inside, borderline obsessive). Also, Iharu=leo=the heart + Reno=aries=blood, so, the heart [with blood, but that kind of goes w/o saying] is a very IhaReno symbol; plus, the heart is the very body part that can be associated with music (it beats in a rhythm) and, as per their character pages included in the manga, they both love music. The flames on the bottom are bleeding flames; Reno's fire (he's an aries=a fire sign that links with blood).

color scheme includes IhaReno colors (golden of Iharu's eyes, violet of Reno's) + red of Reno's mars and a combo of that with his violet=hot pink/etc (which is also in a way Iharu's color: his hair; likely referencing cherry blossom, as part of his spring theme). So we have both a bright, bold color of fire/the sun (warmth, life, vitality, socializing, etc), as well as a deep, dark, intimate color of blood, heat, passion, sex (which are associated with aries).

their body language depicts passion through their personalities: Iharu is joyfully moving (a backflip), pumped (fists clenched in joy, as we often see him, probably more so in the anime and "kn8: the game" has referenced that in his little victorious animation (which I adore, btw)). Reno is sitting steadily (referencing his stubborn trait and the sticky, needy aspect of passion), in a fairly closed-off way (representing, along with blood, the intimate, personal, deep/hidden nature of his style of passion: he shows his feelings through devotion: he seems distant and cool, might not care easily, but once he does care, he cares with all his might: devoted, obsessive, protective), his expression is intense/focused and serious (that serious, heavy side of passion, mentioned at the beginning), and he's holding out a hand as if challenging or trying to pull something in (referencing that visceral, urgent aspect of his passion: he's stubborn (never give up), obsessive, unrelenting).

Iharu is wearing clothes in vibrant, bold colors, referencing that "out there", honest, joyful/hype/excited aspect of his passion. The contrast (orange and blue) and the ragged look reference the rebeliousness of his passion (going his own way, regardless what others expect. And Iharu certainly doesn't seem to care much about fitting in (makes sense rock is among his favs); though he does care about being valued). Yellow triangles: sharp, bright — sunny — excitement. And red, sporty shoes since his primary motivation is competition. Reno, meanwhile, represents the more personal, primal/wild aspect of passion, the darker one. Reno is intensely driven and obsessively passionate; it's borderline dysfunctional. He's the raw pull that hurts if denied, but then following it often results in difficult sacrifices (and Reno is definitely the self-sacrificing character of kn8). So he's naked (the intimacy and vulnerability of passion), there are a few, bleeding wounds on his body (the pain of sacrifice + again the vulnerability of passion, "our truth" leaking out when such intense passion is expressed), and his hair tips are bloody as well (aries=the head, but it's not even that, it just looks cool + adds to the wild look which is symbolically relevant) (next to being violet, following the manga).

passion can sometimes feel like a sexual need; making one even unbearably restless and irritated until satisfied, almost suffocating. Reno represents that aspect of passion, and aries is the primary zodiac sign associated with sex, so here, he's in a needy predicament (the point wasn't porn but the symbol, so it's just a hint). I like using sexuality as a symbol, since it is part of human psychology and an effective, visceral symbol.

That's also part of why Iharu is so healthy for Reno: Reno's passion is obsessive and serious, Iharu brings fun and joy into it, balancing Reno's hardworking tendencies and inviting him to celebrate instead of constantly work, work, work (which is a bit unexpected, what with him being a top of the class in technical college. But unexpected in the characters is a thing in kn8).

A version with veins meshed with the lightning:

Disclaimer: Iharu's pose (but not head/face) is copied from one of the panels in the manga. The fact that that pose is canonically Iharu's (as in: there's a panel in the manga itself actually depicting him like that: ch 102) is meaningful and I wanted to honor that (however dishonest that statement might come off).

Inspired by: >>>the song "lighter" by Kyle Alessandro<<<!!!!!!! Nobody has my brain = will have the exact same responses to that song as I do, but still, for "full" experience I STRONGLY rec listening to it (esp the chorus part). Had it on loop while drawing and it's so them, but especially, so Iharu; see below.

Themes: a tribute to Iharu (he's awesome, and unbelievably underrated) + Iharu is Reno's fire.

IhaReno is uniquely symbolically rich (if somewhat stereotypical. But if anything, stereotypical characters (or aspects to them; because kn8 characters aren't strictly stereotypical, I mean, look at Iharu's depth, for example) work because they're relatable) — and this is probably the most symbolic drawing of them I've come up with so far.

References:

• lightning as a reference to Iharu's preferred bullet type (shock bullets), his flash adapter ability, and his overall personality (he is very thunderous, intense/shocking, and unpredictable).

• the lightning is layered with veins. Lightning=Iharu + veins=blood=mars/aries=Reno. Reno's deep passion brought to the surface and grounded by Iharu's bold presence. The veins are also more behind, referencing Reno's less forward, more hidden personality. This whole element was added later on; I was missing some blood in the drawing but didn't know how to incorporate it. My first thought was a bloody tear in Reno's eye, but that felt unfounded/irrational/out of nowhere/"nah, doesn't make sense". Now, the veins=lightning thing is spot on.

• fire as a metaphorical reference to Iharu's — and Reno's — personality and star signs (Iharu: leo; Reno: aries; both are fire signs). Iharu's fire is externalized and loud; Reno's fire is internalized and turned into intensity of feeling and devotion. Iharu is the fire of kn8; Reno is also intense, also a fire sign (so is Kafka; the three of them are the fire trio of kn8); but Iharu is the embodiment of fire, the sun, not just in aspects of his personality but in his whole thing.

• a bit of visual chaos, to honor Iharu's craziness.

• the sky is dark violet/purple, the fire and lightning are golden/oranges — referencing IhaReno colors (the violet of Reno's eyes, and the golden of Iharu's).

• the fire/sun in Reno's eyes, and the fire in his hair, reference that hidden fire of his [which is represented by Iharu. Iharu is also the sun: a leo, which is ruled by the sun, and it fits his personality perfectly]. And how Iharu — as referenced by the drawing — draws it out (helps him push forward; ch 63 / s2e7). Also, the color combo makes it look like e.g. crocus, which is one of the first flowers blooming in spring (IhaReno season: Iharu's name means spring and Reno was born in spring; Iharu saves Reno out of the winter of No. 6 in ch 62-63 / s2e7), breaking through the ice; very much IhaReno theme (ch 63).

• the (fairly unobvious) red in Reno's eyes also represents the passion in him (his aries/mars side; red is the associated color, too) that Iharu awakens: rivalry and action (helping him push forward; ch 63 / s2e7) in the story (neat how red is what connects orange and violet on the color wheel, and then rivalry and breaking through obstacles is what connects Iharu and Reno in canon), and then something more intimate outside it. Looks like blood vessels, referencing that passion in the context of this drawing as physical/embodied — represented then also through Reno's body language (almost possessive of Iharu, as if he's yearning to feel the thunderous energy rolling off him, on his own skin, in his own veins).

• Iharu's pose and expression is open, powerful, loud; like himself. Reno's pose and expression is more quiet, contemplative; like himself. Also possessive, representing his presumed/plausible (based on a realistic look at his personality: he's not just simply calm, like e.g. Haruichi; he has fire, it's just quiet. It makes sense for people like him to enjoy the company of those who embody that quiet intensity in an uninhibited form, encouraging it to breathe out loud. And he does happen to be friends with the two crazy guys of kn8 (Kafka, Iharu), so canon seems to support that interpretation) yearning for the kind of man who embodies who he himself is deep inside: passionate, wild, uninhibited. Iharu awakens Reno's fire. Iharu is who Reno is on the inside. The drawing is a tribute to Iharu's vibe: crazy, hot, bold. In that, to the hidden side of Reno that shows through his relentless devotion and self-sacrifice. Iharu is Reno's spirit embodied outside of him. Reno's fire is quiet and deep. Iharu is Reno's fire if he let it scream. In a dark paranormal take...

...that yearning could turn into cannibalistic lust, and a version with Reno clawing at Iharu's heart, sort of a vampiric theme, would be apt. Might draw that asp. I just wanted to make it clear Iharu's expression is about his own experience independent of Reno, and not influenced by something Reno is doing (e.g. is not pain — but empowerment). Same reason as to why Reno's lower hand is not doing anything more intimate, under the cover of the flame. But both elements would fit.

• kind of minimal/convenient, but I wanted Iharu's head to be around the place of Reno's (the head above them) mouth, as in "Iharu is the wild scream of Reno's fire, letting it out for him".

• Iharu is pretty much not covered in anything *, as a symbol of his wild, untamed personality (and combat style). He's honest, wears his heart on his sleeve, his emotions are in plain sight; he doesn't hide anything. He's bold, proud, competitive, all about action, very out there, very forward; insecure in a way that, with his personality, turns into a determination to punch through those walls rather than cave. Reno, meanwhile, is wearing his No. 6 suit; a reference to the state of mind where one's deepest desires and true personality surface. That desire and that personality being: the fire that hides under the composed and distant.

• the flames licking up Iharu's body: a reference to the song "lighter", since it fits Iharu — and also Reno; Iharu here represents Reno's fire — really well. Namely...

...it feels like that song is what he'd write if he wrote songs:

somewhere along the way i lost my might — dejected cause of other prodigies outmatching him. Except he NEVER lost his might; it only fired him up MORE. Especially, Reno did.

i had to walk a hundred thousand miles — the struggle to progress, stuck at ~20%.

i feel a spark inside me.

i don't need saving — "I'm the one saving you, dumbass".

i'm not afraid to set it all on fire — he's crazy, risk-taking, not afraid to go thunder.

i'll be my own lighter / i'm my own lighter.

i wish none of this was true ...but there's a fire growing, too — imagine discovering you're stuck [at low progress] because something is different with your brain (ch 102). Sounds relatable? (More than one would think: we all have different personalities and limitations, predispositions; e.g. some are naturally more neurotic, making emotional resilience harder). But then you learn how to take the flip side of that and make it your bitch, roaring into the battlefield, proud and thunderous.

He doesn't just propel Reno. He propels himself. Makes them both grow. Go, lion. Shake the world. Set it on fire.

live laugh love — that's Iharu.

(a part of one of the drawings by Matsumoto)

He's like life, unpredictable (from our, limited perspective). He's life force — the drive, the energy; the metaphorical fire. He's the sun — giving life and warming the atmosphere, like spring (the "haru" in his name means "spring"; and he saves Reno during his trial with No. 6), emboldening/warming, inviting; if sometimes too much/too bright. But he doesn't apologize; he knows who he is and what he wants and what his intentions are (e.g. his little self-reflection in ch 16); he knows he's not selfish, and when he is he notices (his another self-reflection in ch 60). SIDE NOTE: He in fact seems really emotionally intelligent, similar to Reno (perhaps even more so); see e.g. his "lecture" to Kafka in ch 67; but most seem to omit that because he's so brash and stereotypically masculine which to most = emotionally dumb. One of the stereotypes or expectations kn8 subverts.

Iharu makes it easy to imagine what death could look like, as he throws himself in the middle of the battlefield and swings in and out of zone, hitting like a storm: wild, unpredictable, powerful. Untamed, even by himself. It's thrilling. Awakens something deep in Reno. A yearning.

And then "i dont need saving, I'm my own lighter" is something both Iharu and Reno say:

Reno: ch 100 ("I've had enough of letting you carry all the weight while I do nothing but get protected. I'll clear a path for you" to Kafka) and his whole motivation (he became the savior he needed after his family was killed).

Iharu: ch 15-16 ("Why do I have to be the one getting saved by you" and "I'm the one saving you, dumbass").

First, Iharu (and Kafka too, in a way) is Reno's lighter; then Reno becomes his own, with Iharu's help.

Overall, Iharu and Reno are far more similar than many seem to notice, too focused on Reno's ice combat thing. Because those similarities aren't in one's face/on the surface, but in the depth of them and between them.

FOOTNOTES:

* A note on censorship: I'm very comfortable drawing erogenous zones (have done that in my other, non-kn8 works), as a normal part of the human body and not something inherently/solely erotic. Drawing them would NOT be beside the point/etc. So I was debating whether to do that here as well or go the "covering it with stupid-awkward covers" route. The former would make perfect sense. But...

...I didn't want it to look like I'm sexualizing him, didn't want that to be the focus of the drawing (and it would be because people make a fuss about that stuff; understandably, since wearing clothing for no reason other than that is for no reason the norm in many modern societies); hence that dumb flame over there.

References:

• listening to music together (Iharu might have mentioned something about chill rock. Reno seems the type to enjoy chill music), since they both love music (character pages list among their favs: Reno: music, Iharu: rock). (That was the core idea, then the rest unfolded).

• the earphones highlighted in some of their colors (orange/golden of Iharu's eyes, violet of Reno's). Also, the orange of both the earphones and the sound waves around them references them both as fire signs (Reno: aries, Iharu: leo) and how they support each other's fire — Iharu helps Reno push forward (ch 63 / s2e7), Reno drives Iharu's motivation (rivalry) — thriving together.

• their body language and overall presentation reference aspects of their personalities. Reno is polite, reserved (head down, hair covering his eyes, hood on; he's not shy, but he is reserved), low-key, kind of stiff, reliable (Iharu's head on his shoulder, Iharu leaning against Reno); his body covered in baggy clothing. Iharu has a free spirit/untamed quality to him (hence shirtless and nonchalant, with ragged pants), and he's very forward (hence he's getting into Reno's personal space here). *

• Reno's hoodie (which might in fact be Iharu's, looking at the color. But we'll never know) is half off, symbolizing how he opens up (feels safe) with Iharu. One sleeve is "hugging" Iharu, referencing Reno's quiet care: he might not be bold with his affection, unlike Iharu, but it's very much there, reliable, practical, honest; so he doesn't have his arm wrapped around Iharu but he's put that sleeve over there instead.

• the colors around them (the wall, the ground, the waves) are of course their colors (violet and golden) but also, in the tones that are supposed to give a dark and warm feel (kind of a chocolatey flavor. If IhaReno were a type of chocolate, would they be chocolate-orange?), a "cozy intimacy" vibe. They're fire (aries and leo), they fire each other up — but this is a snapshot of them existing in contentment, enjoying each other's closeness and warmth. Perhaps it's a vibe after some physical loving...

• ...as suggested by the hickeys on Iharu's body (his neck and stomach, perhaps elsewhere). They reference Reno's passionate side that hides under the cool, somewhat distant exterior — and specifically, how Iharu draws that side out of him and lets it breathe. He's emboldening (grounding Reno through that; ch 63 / s2e7), pulling Reno into a little bit of rivalry in the story (even though Reno isn't particularly competitive, see e.g. his response to Iharu's competitive remark in ch 34). So it's not hard to imagine he could be the type of lover who, regardless what role/position he's taking, challenges and reassures with his boldness — which especially for somebody like Reno, with his reservedness, seems a very helpful, healthy type of emotional environment. **

So the vibe is that Iharu is this warm, emboldening presence who invites to connect and melts people's ice, and Reno is reserved and inconspicuous, but highly driven and passionate under the surface — but one wouldn't know, looking at him outside of the battlefield...

...outside of intimacy. One wouldn't know he's just had his boyfriend melt under him, finding his passion in his body (as represented by the hickeys) and his own relief — not just sexual but also emotional — deep within him. One wouldn't know how much Iharu makes him ache. The yearning that tugs at something deep in his proper mind, awakened by Iharu's bold, challenging presence. One wouldn't know that's what Reno's fiery spirit craves, nor how badly. To have a man who not only lets but challenges him to burn — together. In rivalry, in joy (e.g. the happiness Iharu as if spills onto Reno when he rushes for the high-five in ch 64 / s2e8: Iharu is the elated one, inviting Reno to drop the serious face and celebrate), in closeness. A man who'll hold him, steady and grounding, while he allows his deepest desires to burn. A man as crazy and uninhibited as he, himself, might perhaps wish at times to be.

Iharu lets him be wild and free; not worried, not the responsible, the strong one, the reliable one. He lets Reno feel safe in relying on him (ch 63 / s2e7); he's the spring that melts Reno's ice, the sun that shines bright by his side.

FOOTNOTES:

* I was debating whether to make Reno mirror Iharu or make his body language even more reserved (both knees towards the chest).

Since reservedness is already depicted anyway, I've settled on the former — to show Reno's feelings of safety/comfort (we [unconsciously] mirror those we like, trust, etc) — though not in a "horizontal flip" style, which could have been better because it'd make Reno's body language fully open towards Iharu.

As a result, it ends up combining reservedness with safety and openness, contrary to Iharu's full comfort and openness = referencing maybe more their canonical personalities than specifically their relationship (whether in canon or specifically in this drawing). It's one part of the drawing I'm on the fence about.

** Sexuality is part of humans' emotional processing, so I find using it in images/fic as an embodied reference of emotions and connections very apt and organic. The broader context to the drawing could also be discussed in terms of their potential dynamic in sex.

Top/bottom doesn't inherently operate as a stiff or hardwired inclination (though culture messes us up and instills that idea so deeply it becomes how we operate), but there are preferences (influenced by personality, emotional comfort, etc. And they do change, as some of those factors change; including: depending on the partner/s or our current emotional needs). Therefore...

...I can see Reno as more comfortable with topping, because he likes taking care of others and might struggle with receiving attention or care, might find the physical and emotional vulnerability of bottoming, the open headspace of it, too "naked" for his comfort — even though profoundly relieving off those inhibitions. He might just need a man who makes him feel like it's safe to let go like that. A man like Iharu, perhaps.

Iharu, meanwhile, seems more versatile, and with Reno he probably enjoys bottoming a lot: showered with passionate care that soothes his insecurities, and proud of being the one to make Reno feel safe and needy enough that he lets go of self-control and lets his fire burn freely.

References:

IhaReno colors: violet of Reno's eyes, golden of Iharu's.

the fire because both are fire signs (Reno: aries; Iharu: leo). Also a reference to the story: how Iharu (leo, the sun; energy, vitality, hope) draws out Reno's fire (helping him push forward) while Reno (aries, mars; passion/drive) drives Iharu's (rivalry). A "we burn together" kind of theme.

their body language references their personalities: Reno's hold is more embracing, tender, grounding (he's embracing Iharu with one arm, the other hand cupping his face). Iharu's is more a "hot", forward type of touch. Focused on the present moment VS inviting to the next.

same for their faces: Iharu's expression is more confident, perhaps with a hint of a challenge. Reno's is more affectionate, the passionate side of his aries trait surfacing in that intimate context; as if he's losing himself in their closeness, signifying that Iharu's reassuring, emboldening presence makes him feel safe.

also, I've colored Reno's hair (and eyes) according to the manga, but Iharu's fire-like tips are my own addition, since I think they fit him perfectly (and therefore would make sense to exist in his canonical design. Wonder why they don't).

The goal is to make it not just look like them but also feel like them. If you have any feedback on that, I'd love to hear it!

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