Melancholic Magical Maiden

Release Date: February 28th, 2024

Fully on-chain: Entirely coded, with no external dependencies.
Emi Kusano's debut generative coding artwork.
Deconstruction and reinterpretation of 'magical girl' genre aesthetics from 90's anime to explore gender and societal perceptions.
Aims to reflect on digital identity and emotional expression through algorithmic creativity.

CURATED COLLECTION

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Melancholic Magical Maiden deconstructs the aesthetics of the ‘magical girl’ genre from 90's anime, where girls who possess magical abilities typically use them through an ideal alter ego into which they can transform. Emi Kusano reexamines these archetypal heroines, critically analyzing their impact on shaping gender and societal perceptions, and offers a contemporary reinterpretation of these narratives.

Kusano’s artwork reveals the duality of magic and reality, mirroring her childhood memories with magical girls. Utilizing a palette of subtle colors and nuanced text, she objectively interprets the nostalgic charm of classic anime alongside an insightful critique of societal constructs, forging a distinct visual language that encourages viewers to ponder the influence of childhood aspirations on their adult identity.

Technical Composition

In collaboration with creative coder Yurika Sayo and utilizing p5.js, Melancholic Magical Maiden delves deep into the 1990s anime culture. The artwork features effects when the heroines confront their enemies, including heart beams showcasing their charm, bubbles sparkling during their transformation into a secret identity, and mysterious magical circles. These symbolic elements are integrated into the narrative and are further enriched by CRT TV moiré patterns that add visual complexity. Moreover, the motifs include the magical compact used by the girls during transformation, fairy companions leading to other realms, and expressive large eyes, symbolizing iconic elements of the genre.

Not confined to the aesthetics of girls’ anime, the work also incorporates elements from boys’ anime, such as robot motifs and explosion effects, traversing both feminine and masculine gender pressures. These elements are masterfully depicted through code.

The AI-generated captions deliberately blur the lines of social pressure and anime quotes, offering an ironic commentary. This fusion of code and storytelling serves to evoke childhood memories while simultaneously prompting contemplation about the future, bridging past narratives with evolving perceptions of identity.

【COLLECTOR EXCLUSIVE:】
The holder of this collection will be able to purchase official　prints from Emi Kusano.

Details are the following:

Front Surface: A 3mm thick acrylic layer with a back print showcasing eye-catching details.
Rear Surface: A 5mm thick acrylic layer with a front print capturing dynamic motion, complemented by a back print that sets the scene.
Presentation: The artwork is elegantly framed in an A3 size aluminum frame, ensuring your piece stands out.
Materials: Crafted from high-quality acrylic and aluminum, this piece is built to last.
Artwork Size: A3.
Frame Dimensions: Approximately 315*440mm.
Weight: Around 2.5kg.

LIMITED EDITION AVAILABLE PER ARTWORK: for collectors, and 1 will be owned by Emi for future exhibition/sales.
This form is limited to one purchase per registration. If you wish to buy multiple items, please contact info@fictionera.co

Price: $300 per item (+ $200 fixed transportation fee globally )

Once the registration is confirmed through the order form, we will verify the ownership by cross-referencing the wallet address provided. If the verification is successful, we will contact you further for payment. If you encounter any problems, please contact
info@fictionera.co

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Techniques

The background moiré patterns and sky textures are created based on noise fields in shaders. Effects like explosions and bubbles are made using WebGL, employing a variety of algorithms for each effect. Motifs such as magical compacts are drawn on Canvas2D by randomly selecting parts. These layers are then combined as if appearing on a television through post-processing in shaders.

＊These images represent just a fraction of the endless possibilities that arise from the unique combination of geometry and varying sizes, all orchestrated through algorithms. Each artwork is not a mere assembly of predefined parts but is created through countless random variations, offering infinite potential in its formation.