Project Status Update: August 2024

Project Status Updates (PSU) inform our patrons what work has been completed, what's currently being worked on, and what has to wait for a time in the queue. It's our way of assuring the community that come what may, we're never idle and plowing forward on our never-ending mission to keep Ranma going (which as some fans may already know, got a BIG BOOST with the announcement of the new animation)!

With all that said, let's get to the Project Status Update! (NOTE: Some relevant information may be repeated in PSUs for ongoing projects.)

My Teacher is My Princess Comic:

• Art status: MTP Page 14 line art and color has been approved by its Comic Lord, BlackBeak. MTP Page 15 has been planned and storyboarded for the artist. Sketching is expected to begin the first weekend of August.

• Jobs pending: MTP-14: Backgrounds and final edits. MTP-15: Line art, coloring, backgrounds, final edits.

• Estimated completion time: 1 Day for MTP-14. 12 Days for MTP-15. Art could be completed sooner if remaining stages are approved without new issues. If more problems crop up, delays shall be communicated to patrons.

• Impressions: Several revisions took place during edits which altered the tone and focus of the presentation. Team member SHADE is dealing with a minor illness which has delayed backgrounds for MTP-14, but we expect that to be resolved within a day. Our goal is to get MTP-15 out much faster than we could manage with MTP-14. The overall goal for August is 3-4 MTP pages released. Boosting MTP release rate will happen, even if it means delaying pinup work elsewhere.

Patreon Newsletter Art:

Shampoo: "Amazon Queen".

• Art status: General artwork is now completed. Only presentational arrangements remain. The "Safe for Work" edition will be free for all, while the naughtier version will be patron-only.

• Jobs pending: Organizing the many variants of the art set. There will be two major versions, along with minor variations with different erotic focuses (such as a nude variant).

• Estimated completion time: Technical difficulties were encountered on the Patreon platform which have now been resolved. The team used this delay to create more variants and add details to those variants. We expect the Amazon art to be posted within 2 Days.

• Impressions: As the title implies, this art is based on our comic "Amazon". Much as the King Conan saga which inspired it, we imagine our hero Shampoo as a conquering queen. The team adores this fantasy setting and will lavish attention on it until we are satisfied that it reflects all that is "good in life".

Fan Request Art:

• Art status: Preliminary planning for the next batch of Fan Requests has been completed, but production will not heat up until the above art items are finished.

• Estimated Completion: We expect 1 - 2 Fan Requests to be posted in August. More Fan Requests are planned for September. No Fan Requests will be posted in October (potential commissions excluded) as the team will focus on Halloween content.

• Impressions: Two commission slots will be opened for supporters who wish to request Halloween art. Contact us if interested (must be a member of Ranmabooks or this Patreon).

Naughty Bits Art:

Ranma-chan & Nodoka: "Improbable Date".

• Remaster status: Parts 1 and 2 are completed and posted. Part 3 remains. The team has the ambition to improve the erotic scene on the final page, but will stay within the limits of using existing art assets (as that artist is no longer with the team and the style cannot be easily replicated).

• Jobs pending: Art adjustments for Part 3. Background replacement for Part 3. Final editing for Part 3.

• Estimated completion time: Improbable Date Part 3 should be posted Monday, August 5th. Generally, we release art around 8 a.m. EST. While it's possible the art could appear later in the day, we do not expect any longer delays.

• Impressions: The team loved the story of this mini-comic. The art... not so much. This NB set actually started the process of us phasing out Palcomix art on the website way back in 2013 as it could no longer meet the quality our supporters expected and deserved. It has been so tempting to revisit the steamy scene and expand it as we felt that was the mini's biggest flaw (way too short). Alas, without the participation of the original artist any such fixes would likely stand out and be alien to the rest of the art. The only positive thing I can add is that Naughty Bits art will be transitioning to "Showcase Quality" in a few short months and remain there for most of its subsequent run.

Patreon Exclusives:

Akane & Ranma-chan: "Beach Bums".

• Art status: Preliminary planning complete.

• Jobs pending: Sketch, Inking, Coloring, Backgrounds, dialog balloons, and final edits.

• Estimated completion time: This pinup set is expected to be posted by August 31st without delays.

• impressions: We'll bid farewell to the summer season with an art set where Ranma teaches Akane some of her tricks for making the most of a beach day!

More art is always being planned and will be reported in the next project status update.

And on a personal note, I really wish that we could SHOW patrons some art along with this report, but for now we're keeping it text-only. The news stuff is meant to be public and accessible to all. This means nothing adult can be included (Patreon policy). Yet we'll see about Safe for Work production art shares in the future. :D

On behalf of the team, thank you for being a patron.

-Deep Star & The Ranmabooks Team