The poll is up. Please vote for you preferred entry until 15 April 2023, 05:30 UTC.
Thank you! That was a rather close fight. I'll come up with the challenge later today.And the winner is @Remitonov. Congratulations!
I don't see why not, though I can't really gauge on its popularity here in AH.com.(Speaking of vtubers, I have to say, after having looked up and not found one in the past I have been tempted to open a Vtuber thread in the off-topic media and fandom or non-political chat sub-forums once or twice before but never did it)
Well, since I have been in the rabbit hole for like 3 years now so might as well throw my hat in the ring.
The City of Stars:
View attachment 825785
In the not so distant Cyberpunk future of 20XX the traditional nation state is no longer the sole type of sovereign authority. Of course most will think of the "Mega-corps" who have established their rule in various places on Earth much like the East India Company of old. Workers Unions and Cooperatives of similar scales compete against them. Voluntary Peoples Associations, be they capitalistic or socialistic have succeeded in something that might be recognized as Anarchism in some regions and there have even been whole societies existing solely in virtual reality that have become sovereign entities. However weirdest of non-traditional political authorities to have established themselves in the physical world have been Vtubers. As dozens of Vtubers, be they independent or affliated with an agency/corporation, have established their own sovereign states. Having seized control of territories ranging from small islands, whole cities to small countries.
One of these "Sovereign Virtual Youtubers" is Hoshimachi Suisei, originally an independent Vtuber who later joined, and remains affliated with Hololive of Cover Corp. She has established a city state in the Japanese Archipelago, populated mostly by her fans (but has also become a popular immigration spot for many people who were overworked in their previous countries due to the comfortable work hours in the city, starting at 3pm and only a 3 hour workday). Officially known as the "Hoshimachi Nation" with Hoshimachi (星街 meaning star and city) being name of both the city and the country. She is the sole head of state and government styled "Prime Minister", thought political scientists consider her to be more of an absolute monarch than a parliamentary head of government (and while it might simply be aesthetics, one should note that her most commonly seen official outfits possesses two small crowns worked into her beret). As many newly built cities utilising the wonders of Cyberpunk technology the city has many peculiarities. The most significant of which is that ever since it's foundation sun has never once risen over it, as the nation exists in a state of eternal night. Despite this agriculture is still practiced and people are kept fed through Blue Rice, which can subsist only on moon and starlight (developed by Hakui Labs, operated by Professor Hakui Koyori, another Hololive talent and member of Secret Society HoloX). Somehow, despite the lack of sunlight and an onlly 3 hour long workday work productivity has increased in comparison to Japan of 2020. As for the economy, outside of tourism, export of Blue Rice, Hoshimachi Suisei merchandise, licensing of her music and donations by her many fans winning the lotteries has been officially stated to be a source of revenue by a press release from the Prime Minister. A notable tourist spot is the Hoshimachi Park, home to a concert venue where there is always a Hoshimachi Suisei concert going (mostly through AI replications or recordings of previous concerts but new live concerts are also held quite often, with at least one per year). Other attractions of the Park being parades and sessions of being chased by an axe wielding Hoshimachi.
Now, as for the flag. The flag shown here is the national flag. The proportions of which are 2-3. The design is a dark blue background with a gold ten pointed star in the canton (constructed from a five pointed star on top of an upside down five pointed star)* and a light blue "tail" extending to the bottom right corner of the flag, dividing the flag diagonally. The flag is meant to evocate a comet streaking across the night sky, as comet is the meaning of "Suisei". With it more abstractly symbolising a drive to advance ever onwards and upwards, towards future success and prosperity.
*: inspired by the brooch? on her tie, which is also visible on the bow on her belt in her default outfit, same star is also visible on most her alternate outfits.
**: the shades of dark and light blue sampled from her concept art.
***: on a side note there is this star with waves (stylized comet from front?) symbol she has, which much like that multilayered 10 pointed star originated in her times as an indie. Which is in many of her outfits, For example on her necktie and knee-high stockings in her default outfit. I considered including it in the flag but thought that would make it too busy. But I think in this scenario that symbol could be the charge of a personal royal/prime-ministerial flag, probably white or gold on a similar dark blue field.
While I mostly chose Suisei because I just like her a lot, I was also reminded of this clip when I saw the challenge of "Vtuber (national) flag", despite Vtuber's with princess/queen etc. lores would have probably been a more obvious choice. It was the source for the most of the details I mentioned about the country.
Concept art by Teshima Nari. Source of the dark and light blue shades I used in the flag, as well as serving as an example of what I am talking about with the crowns on the beret, the multilayered star brooch thingie and that star symbol on her necktie.
(Speaking of vtubers, I have to say, after having looked up and not found one in the past I have been tempted to open a Vtuber thread in the off-topic media and fandom or non-political chat sub-forums once or twice before but never did it)
there aren't any more entries
I have absolutely no idea what VTube is - I thought it was something made up until I saw Gokbay's entry and realised it must be something to do with anime or similar. So, knowing nothing about it, there was no way I could come with anything.I would have liked to see at least one more entry
Korone is disappointed in youI have absolutely no idea what VTube is - I thought it was something made up until I saw Gokbay's entry and realised it must be something to do with anime or similar. So, knowing nothing about it, there was no way I could come with anything.
Basically streamers using animated avatars, usually anime-style, but not necessarily. I was actually a bit worried I set the bar too high. Food for thought for future challenge ideas, I guess.I have absolutely no idea what VTube is - I thought it was something made up until I saw Gokbay's entry and realised it must be something to do with anime or similar. So, knowing nothing about it, there was no way I could come with anything.
I have absolutely no idea what VTube is - I thought it was something made up until I saw Gokbay's entry and realised it must be something to do with anime or similar. So, knowing nothing about it, there was no way I could come with anything.
Basically streamers using animated avatars, usually anime-style, but not necessarily. I was actually a bit worried I set the bar too high. Food for thought for future challenge ideas, I guess.
Ironically, I think this will be an easier one for me than the previous "make up a vlogging star backstory challenge".Also new challenge is now up:
FLAG CHALLENGE #287: The Celestial Sphere
Design a flag that includes constellation symbolism in some ways. Be it like modern Southern Cross or Alaska Big Dipper flags, or with the inclusion of the lines connecting the stars or even a Lion for Leo or Bull for Taurus. Zodiac signs are also fine. You are not limited by the Zodiac, all constellations and asterisms are fine. Including non-Western constellations like Chinese are also welcome.
Submissions Open: Now (2nd of May)
Submissions Close: 9th of May, ~23:00 GMT+3
Ironically, I think this will be an easier one for me than the previous "make up a vlogging star backstory challenge".
It's always good to have a real challenge - just because I'm old and out-of-touch doesn't mean everyone is!I was actually a bit worried I set the bar too high. Food for thought for future challenge ideas, I guess.