(Repost from r/touhou found here) https://www.reddit.com/r/touhou/comments/wq9ich/can_zun_draw_a_matureadultlooking_character/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
I really do not want to insult his art style. There is something unique about it, and represents one of the defining features for the Touhou games. My question is coming from reading the notes ZUN wrote for his miscellaneous drawings, particularly the commentary for "Zun008.JPG" (dated 20/05/2001, so from the pre-EoSD era). The English translated version is from the wiki:
Translated Name: Blonde Shrine Maiden From a Future Era
I wanted to draw a "poster shrine maiden." My original concept was to truly draw a sultry, adult-looking shrine maiden for once.
No, really. (^^; But it turned out to be a young girl. (lol)
It's just that since I was drawing a poster girl, I wanted something that would grab and entice
with vivid colors and a subtle expression on the girl.
But I guess it's a pointless picture. (^^;
As seen, apparently ZUN wanted to represent a mature-looking character. However, it ended up looking much younger than planned. Since that is old, quite possibly outdated information, has he managed to improve on that? Can he now finally draw an adult character, or he is pretty much defined into the style that defines him and his work?