Day 21, some groundwork for a new Bootleggers character who’s been on the backburner for a while. This is Kawako, a kappa bodyguard for the Daitengu-kai Yakuza. Outside of obviously taking inspiration from kappas and other turtle characters, the idea for her originated from characters like Tusk from Killer Instinct. Most 2D fighting game characters are always designed with the front of their bodies facing the camera (unless you’re Netherrealm with your stupid pointless stance flip button). Tusk is one of the only 2D fighting game characters I know who’s back-facing, and so I wanted to try making a back-facing character design.

That meant the character’s back needed to be the more interesting side of the character design. Kappas and their turtle shells were a fitting choice, and since I’m making a yakuza character, I thought having a tricked out shell would be a good opportunity for a back-facing character design.

Yokaitober Day 12: Kappa 

“Adult kappa often live solitary lives, although it is common for them to befriend other yōkai and even humans. Younger kappa are frequently found in family groups. They will eat almost anything, but they are particularly fond of raw innards - particularly human anuses - and cucumbers. They love mischief, martial arts like sumo wrestling, and games of skill like shogi. Kappa are proud and stubborn, but also fiercely honorable; they never break any promises that they make. Kappa possess keen intelligence and they are one of the few yōkai able to learn human languages. They are also highly knowledgeable about medicine and the art of setting bones; according to legend, these skills were first taught to humans by friendly kappa.” 

Source: yokai.com

Visited the lovely town of Kawako. I recommend you guys go check it out ^w^