For Michael Tudor 1965-2019

Hey all! Sorry that these have been absent, but I have been busy, if you can't tell. However's that's not an excuse to slack off! I've been hard at work in the world of 3D, working on things such as new artworks, weapons, and also animation though that last one is mostly becaue I have started for another game.

Recently I've been using Blender 2.8, which I do think is better than 2.79, but the new interface is a bit simpler, and very hard to get use to(and seriously, who decided to change Blender to LEFT CLICK DEFALT? That screwed me over in the first few days). I'll do a more direct comparison at somepoint, but I feel that Blender 2.8 is much easier, to use, esphally since Eevee(the new engine), runs in real time. That is awesome. I will probably continue to use slowly transition to Blender 2.8 soon enough.

The second thing is I've become more confident in my abilities to make 3D models! My mentor wants me to keep start practice sculpting, so I'll see what I can come up with! I have used the techniques for sculpting in one of my pieces so far, a piece I made based on Ghost Of The Sea:

Here the rock which Kairi is standing is all sculpted. I did this because I wanted the rock to look a bit more natural. I'm going to keep working on these skills, so stay tuned!

Finally, I'M WORKING ON A NEW GAME! Though this one will be kept secret, so stay tuned... 

Oh and IDK when Unity Chan Dash will have it's next update. I want to fix a lot of things first.

But for now, thanks as always for reading, and I will catch you guys next time

Written By Nana Marfo
Kasumi from Shubaruu on DeviantArt, ported from DOA5
Chun-Li from Chrissy-Tee on DeviantArt, ported from SFV
Water Palace from deexie on DeviantArt
Branch Dagger created and designed by me
Iris Torso created by me, original Character design by Keiji Inafune

Hey all! Welcome back to all in the Character, the series where I take a look at different characters from games and anime, and break down their design, story and personality. Final Fantasy XIII is a game that I wholeheartedly adore, and most of that is thanks to the charters. Today I'll be taking a look at one of the who doesn't seem that important at first, but becomes important later. The only rebel not to be with the crew at the start of the game, Oerba Yun Fang.

Design
Fang's designs has always stood out to me as one my favourites in gaming. She wears a modified version of a blue Indian Sari, alongside a black sport bra and tribal garments. I see this as her version of a martial arts get up, but I also think this ties into the idea her and Vanille are from the world below,  because their dress sense is more eastern compared to someone like Sazh, who wears a more Western style of clothing. Another interesting thing about her design is the dragon tattoo(which also somewhat resembles the tips of her weapon) that is on her right, which could both be a reference towards her summon, the Bahamut dragon, but I also see it as a her seeing herself as a Dragon's Fang.

Personality and Story

Major spoilers are incoming for Final Fantasy XIII, and if you're continuing on, I'm assuming you played FF13, or at least read my review on it. There will also be some light spoilers on the Final Fantasy XIII book, Episode Zero.

We have a lot to get through don't we? So Fang's story begins with her becoming the beast known as Ragnarok, in order to furfill both her and Orbea Dia Vanille's focus. After they cracked Cocoon's shell, they were then Crystallised before completing their focus, but when Fang awoken, she did so with no memories.

Fang and Vanille are talking about their fate, and Fang's desire to destroy the fal'Cle known as Kujata ends up with Dajh, the son of Sazh in Final Fantasy XIII, becoming branded as a l'cie. Fang is taken in by the by the Sanctum, letting Vanille escape. This show to me that Fang sees Vanille as her daughter is some regards, but I will touch on that more little bit later. 

Fang then has some banter with Snow once she meets him, and I think this does a great job at establishing her personality as a very cheeky, fun, but strong heroine. One that could have been very different. Fang was meant to be a male, and Lightning was going to be a bit more flirty, but these traits were transferred to Fang so Lightning could be more serious.

Fang and Snow escape the Sanctum, and Fang is left to talk to Lightning, and Fang explains everything to her. Watch the scene below before continuing if you need a refresher, or just to get some context.

There is a clear contrast between these two characters, and it works well. Fang has gone through this, and her goal now is to help her friend, who is once again going through this. Fang doesn't have this burden anymore, and all she can do about it is laugh. Lightning, however, with the burden of past traumas, is a lot more serious about this, and as an ex-soldier, can only be really serious about this. These two for me work as twin sisters, as their personality are very paralleled to each other.  Lightning is the serious one, and Fang is the chill one.

The next big moment shows that Fang is a lot deeper than seems on the surface. While the others want to defy their fate, Fang(probably to save Vanille) says that she would destroy Coccon, bringing out her summon, the dragon Bahamut. After the fight, Fang agrees to help them fight fate. This and one other moment shows Fang's major character flaw; She is very impulsive and often acts on her instincts, wanting to be the hero that will save Vanille. This does make her seem desperate at some points, but I think this works well given the context that they are in. 

Fang and Vanille talk on their way to the Taejin Tower, where Fang regains her memories, and understands that Vanille lied to protect her.

After that. Fang's last big moment for me comes in the final battle, where after the defeat the Bartandlus and fight the first form of Orphan the crew get overwhelmed. Fang offers to transform herself into Ragnarok, morphing herself into this mutant beast. However, she fails, and then gets tortured for her troubles. This is again an example of Fang's impulsiveness, and what I believe to become a hero, not just for her, but Vanille. She has a strong desire and will to protect Vanille, and they end up both saving the rest of the crew, and the world of Coccon together. And I believe it, she's often re-enforced as the strongest character gameplay wise.

In a One Sentence Summary
With the power of Bahamut at her side, and a strong desire to save the one that is most important to her, Oerba Yun Fang is as dangerous, as she is beautiful.

THE BLOG IS BACK!! I'm sorry for not posting for a while! Been busy with exams, but I'm going full steam with this and my game development! Please look forward to it! I also want to shout out ​@rorvk who has been writing about Final Fantasy XIII and Rose Utena(which I will watch at somepoint). 

But anyways, thanks for reading, and I will catch you guys next time.

Written By Nana Marfo
Oerba Yun Fang is a character designed by Tetsuya Nomura