Studio shots may not be the best replication of realism, but they allow me to bring myself into many fictive worlds, and underlay symbols that otherwise I probably couldn't. Many of my photos have hidden meanings behind them, which can be interpreted only if, well, you're familiar with the franchise.

I'll go ahead and reveal some of my favorite to you. Chronologically, I'll start of Aoba of DRAMAtical Murder.



In case anyone wonders what does drama and murder have to do with this utterly shallow homoerotic visual novel, well, there are are five romanceable guys in the novel - and in all endings, Aoba either dies a horrible death, or distorts to an irreparable state of mind... this photo's name is "Untouchable", because he is under a glass dome, where no man can hurt him anymore. Five ways to go, right in this pic.



Next up is Utena.


This one is self-explanatory, I'd say, she clenches to her sword and her princess image is cast away, to the image of her real self. Or vice versa? As confusing as the show itself, and I like it that way.

Next one is Utena again, this time with my cospartner Hisayume posing as a ghost of Prince Dios, the one Utena was searching for all of her life. The pun here comes from the idea that throught the show, Utena is always the one to protect others, whereas she is never the protected one. The phantom of Dios protecting Utena here is what touches me as something she deserved far before.



This third Utena photo is about the most meaningful one from the set.


It holds several motives relevant to the plot. Look closely to this spot here.


The swords planted in the stone are close replicas of the swords five most important duelists Utena has defeated to revolutionize the world.


The cars in the background represent the main antagonist of the show - The End of The World. And sex. Yes. Honestly.


And this part over here, it is the biggest spoiler for the show. I won't explain much, go and take a look, it's only 40 episodes of 20 minutes.


Aside from Utena, who obviously has the most meaningful edits, I also did this for Motoko Kusanagi:

Too Many Picture Links from external sites.
Too Many Picture Links from external sites.
The stock photo which I used for Motoko's charging unit has markings in Russian, because it is actually a part of Russian piloting chair. I thought that Russian warning signs would make up for a small homage to Origa (or Olga, in Russian), a woman whose beautiful songs gave life to Ghost in The Shell series.

Those were my dearest Easter Eggs from my photos.