Project Status Update: July 2024

Hi Patrons!

We're introducing a new Patreon feature: Project Status Updates.

The "Menu" post is meant to provide our supporters with an idea of what art is currently in production that month, along with our best guess as to when it will be released.

For the most part, the menu seems to do its job. Yet if the team encounters unexpected issues later on, such as those experienced in June when much of the team got sick, the result can be a cascade of delays which causes confusion, frustration and anxiety in the community. We're really sorry this has happened frequently in recent weeks.

We're obviously going slower on My Teacher is My Princess than any of us would like. Yet progress is being made. And the final art we are putting out isn't being compromised no matter how bad our luck seems to be.

Our goal moving forward is to communicate more detail about what the art team is working on and what could affect the release of planned art.

So we'll still be posting the Menu, but periodically there will be Project Status Updates that tell 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 first of these Project Status updates!

My Teacher is My Princess Comic:

• Art status: After some revisions, the visual storyboard for My Teacher is My Princess Page 14 has been completed and approved by its Comic Lord, BlackBeak. The line artist is currently working on the sketch which will need approval.

• Jobs pending: Inking the approved sketch, coloring the approved sketch, backgrounds, and final edits.

• Estimated completion time: 7 - 9 days. Art could be completed sooner if every stage is approved without new issues. If more problems crop up, delays shall be communicated to patrons.

• Impressions: There were disagreements about the visual layout which needed discussion. BlackBeak is in a distant time zone from the rest of the team, which causes communication lag. Thankfully, a general agreement has been reached on page 14 and we expect its production to be smoother for later stages.

Patreon Exclusives:

Akane & Ukyo: "Pounding it Out".

• Art status: The art is sketched, inked and currently being colored.

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

• Estimated completion time: We are ahead of schedule on this pinup set and expect it to be posted by July 31st without delays.

• impressions: This art set has been great fun for the team and we are eager to share it with the community!

Patreon Newsletter Art:

Shampoo: "Amazon Queen".

• Art status: The art is sketched and is currently being inked. A "Safe for Work" edition will be free for all, while the naughtier version will be patron-only.

• Jobs pending: Coloring, backgrounds, dialog balloons, and final edits.

• Estimated completion time: We had originally hoped for a July 20th release, but MTP production issues delayed the start of this art. Additionally, the sheer detail of the Amazon costumes and fantasy setting requires diligence. Our current goal of July 24th is very optimistic. A more likely release is July 28th, but we'll get it out sooner if possible.

• 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: One- possibly two- commissions 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: This three-part Naughty Bits mini-comic has already undergone extensive cleanup. This has simplified the remastering process to a point, but the team has the ambition to replace some ancient backgrounds with shiny new ones that we hope improve character and reader immersion.

• Jobs pending: Background replacement for all pages. Final editing for all pages.

• Estimated completion time: Improbable Date Part 1 should be posted Monday, July 22nd. 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. Parts 2 and 3 are on track for release each subsequent Monday.

• 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.

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