If you've been watching my scraps section you would have noticed that I posted some preview photos ( Scr 1, Scr 2 ) of this extraordinary piece by Daikon that I commissioned recently. I've been a fan for awhile, and wrote up a nice journal entry about Daikon a few months ago.

As has been my habit, good or bad I can't say, the subject matter is the lovely Akiko Daimon. I've now commissioned a total of eight pieces of her. Including this one, six have been completed with two still pending.

Just this morning I open up my e-mail and was pleasantly surprised to find a really high-resolution version of the picture. Daikon said, "So sorry for my delay. I had a hard time finding someone to scan your piece for me - my scanner died sometime ago, so I couldn't do it myself. ^__^;" I immediately downloaded, resized, cleaned up some of the scanner artifacts, and this deviation is the result. I was extremely excited when I managed to snag one of the commission slots in the last round and I have to say that this pic exceeds my expectations. I love the curvy figure Daikon uses for Akiko-chan, and the trademark wink is a nice touch.

I highly encourage all interested parties to commission works from Daikon. Rates and rules can be found on this page.

Love the piece, Daikon. Thanks and どもありがとうございます！

Edit: Daikon is offering the original drawing on eBay ( item #300260706847 ). Go bid on it and support this great artist! I wasn't interested in a paper copy and told Daikon it was ok to auction off. If you win this auction, please drop me a line to let me know.

Edit (Feb 23, 2009): Just found out that the auction was won by Brent Woodward. Here's a direct link to Akiko in his gallery at the ComicArtFans site.

Edit (Sep 11, 2009): One of the last pieces that *buuzen worked on prior to his passing was a color version of this pic. If you liked this Daikon piece, check out Akiko Daimon by Daikon colored by Buuzen.