Welcome to the very first Linked Universe fanartist/writer interview!
This is a project born from my love of asking questions, Linked Universe, and the creators of the fanworks that comprise the backbone of the fandom. Full interview with @braventheninth under the cut!
Braventheninth, or just simply Braven, has been on Tumblr since 2025 and goes by They/Any pronouns. Today, we ask them a few questions about their art and interests, as well as get a look into how they came to be a fan of Linked Universe!
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When did you get into Linked Universe?
"In the summer of 2022, I started delving into Zelda lore. In around December, I think, I found the Estrine Studios (RIP) dubs of Linked Universe. I had always sort of been aware of the Link's meet trope, but I didn't know there was a whole big comic about it. Anyways, I've been a fan ever since."
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Do you have a favourite Link in the Chain? What makes them your favourite?
This is kinda embarrassing, but when I got into LU, I was in my Wattpad phase, and as such, I was reading a bunch of… Warriors/Reader fics. So, for the first month I was into LU, I think Warriors was my favorite. And my favorite Chain dynamic was Wild and Twilight, I think. Then, for a while, it was Four. At the time, I think I was also really in the Four Swords fandom, so I think that added to it. I just really liked Four's story, and I think my favorite color was Vio. So anyways, I read my first fic on AO3—I still remember it, actually. It's called 'know that water's sweet, but blood is thicker', and it's very peak. It was a Hyrule-centric fic, and then Hyrule was my favorite for a while as well as Downfall Duo. After a while, I just started really liking Legend and I started REALLY liking Ravioli and to this day Legend is one of my favorites and Ravioli is one of my favorite ships ever. And a couple of months ago, I started roleplaying as Wind, so now he and Legend are both my favorites."
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What about the comic captures your heart the most? Is there a specific element that inspires your art?
"Hmm, this is a good question… I think what really draws me in are the character dynamics and just… the idea that the Links are literally strangers to each other, but find a way to work together. I know Jojo's inspiration from the comic is a media that shows different people from different walks of life working together, and I think she really captures that in her comic. As for the art aspect, I really admire the colors. I'm such a sucker for well rendered colors, it's insane. As well as the backgrounds! Oh my god, Jojo's art is so beautiful, and it makes me want to make my own comic like that"
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Aside from Linked Universe, what else do you think inspired how you draw today?
"Ummmm, I usually draw inspiration from artists that I find through Linked Universe, like fanartists. Additionally, my older sister is a painter, so she often pushes me to experiment with a more painterly style of art."
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What art program, if any, do you use? Any brushes or materials you recommend?
"I started out on Firealpaca with a touchscreen laptop, and I think that's honestly the best program to start on for beginners if you have a drawing tablet/touchscreen laptop. I'm NOT a good source for drawing tablet recommendations—I use an old Wacom Bamboo Capture that only works if you do the special ritual at 2:34 AM every new moon. As for brushes, I use Bristles-5 Glaze for my sketches and my more painterly rendering. I use Ink Pen (mypaint) for lineart/normal rendering. I also use screentones to add texture."
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What does your art process usually look like?
"If I'm doing a big rendered piece, I'll start with multiple sketches and choose my favorite. Then, I'll block out flat midtone colors and use layer blending modes to make the colors look interesting and add basic shadows. After that, I'll just… start rendering. There really isn't a process to rendering; you just start in one place and keep on going till everything is rendered. I think of rendering as cleaning up and making everything look polished. After rendering, I add final details like screentones or little pops of complementary colors."
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How long do you think you could hold your breath underwater if there was a cash prize of 14 dollars on the line?
"Maybe 38 seconds? 40 tops. I can't hold my breath very long."
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Anything else you'd like to add?
"Be kind and make good choices."
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Braven had a lot of interesting things to say about their art and experiences in the fandom! Make sure you check out their blog and show them some love!
