(ARTIST REVIEW) Shimoyakedou - しもやけ堂

I have developed a profound appreciation for the beautifully erotic art of doujinshi circle Shimoyakedou (しもやけ堂) and decided it was time to provide a much deserved analysis of his works. Artist Ouma Tokiichi (逢魔刻壱) has a unique drawing style with consistently high attention to detail that transcends what some might incorrectly label as pornography. Not content with simply showcasing his wondrous erotic drawings, he provides stories and unique circumstances that provide intriguing backdrops against which the depicted sexual encounters develop.

Common Themes
Consensual Exploratory Lovemaking
From the innocently cute lovemaking of Konata and Kagami in Cicada Drizzle to the intensely passionate encounter between Rin and Sakura in Sisters' Syrups, Shimoyakedou doujinshi primarily focus on consensual girl x girl pairings. The artist portrays his characters with deep emotional love for one another which beautifully complements the physical pleasures that they share. Such loving depictions are a refreshing change of pace from the more callous themes of many other artists. Encounters tend to be of the "exploratory" type as the characters experiment in pleasuring each other before eventually surrendering to their inner-most physical desires.

Anticipation & Gradual Progressions to Climax
Although the inevitable sexual climax is a given in any ero-doujinshi, the progressively more daring and bolder sexual advances that lead up to that climax as the characters gradually transition from being innocently inhibited to passionately libidinous is what sets Shimoyakedou apart from many other circles. Early in the doujinshi, the reader knows which characters will be engrossed in passion by the end of the story... The anticipation lies in not knowing exactly what actions the characters will take to reach that orgasmic climax. Example: Note the 14 distinct stages of progression that Konata and Kagami go through in the doujinshi Cicada Drizzle, each one a little bolder than the previous: (1) amorous staring, (2) playfully teasing discussions, (3) a quick nervous smooch, (4) passionate kissing, (5) clothed fondling, (6) shirt lifting to reveal bra, (7) bra lifting to reveal breasts, (8) breast licking/sucking, (9) apprehensive masturbation through panties, (10) panty removal, (11) brief vaginal admiration, (12) cunnilingus, (13) energetic clitoral stimulation, (14) intense orgasm.

Passionate Climaxes
A climax is a key anticipatory ingredient in any form of story-telling, and ero-doujinshi are no exception. By depicting a variety of consummating cumshots in his various doujinshi, Shimoyakedou adds another sense of curious anticipation in the reader who is never quite sure what type of ejaculation will occur: internal (vaginal, oral, anal?) or external (facial, breast-covering, full body-covering?) Example: I was utterly blown away by the erotic climax from Sisters' Syrups. With their eyes closed and Rin gently clasping Sakura's breast, they finally experience the blissful fruits of their long and rigorous love-making session. Sakura lays atop Rin whose penis, buried deep inside Sakura's vagina, continues to release a steady stream of ejaculate as indicated by their wonderfully supporting dialogue. Without a care in the world, they look so happy, peaceful, and deeply relaxed... What a beautiful display of united physical love!

Faithful Character Portrayals
Before the eroticism develops, most of Shimoyakedou's doujinshi begin with character interactions that authentically mimic their official counterparts. This adds a degree of perceived authenticity to the characters which makes their ensuing lovemaking seem quite plausible. Many Shimoyakedou doujinshi parody characters from Type-Moon (Fate/Stay Night, Tsukihime).

Expressive Supportive Dialogue
Not content with simple "ahh's" and "ooh's", the artist further engages the reader by having his characters often verbally express their physical sensations which may be nigh impossible to portray with drawings alone. Example: On page 46 of Papilio Protenor, Saber reveals that every time she teases Rider's breasts, Rider involuntarily tightens her vagina around Saber's penis buried inside. Without this supporting dialogue, this exquisite reciprocating aspect of their physical bonding could never have been made apparent.

Futanari
About two-thirds of the doujinshi produced by Shimoyakedou feature futanari, many of whom play a sexually "innocent" submissive role. Penis size remains realistically proportioned, and due to the multi-orgasmic abilities of futanari, many encounters feature several ejaculatory sub-climaxes before the final end climax.

Yuri
With Cicada Drizzle, PAPILLON HEART, and Nanafuro as the only exceptions thus far, every Shimoyakedou doujinshi's main story features some form of phallic action. However, most of his futanari doujinshi actually begin with passionate phallic-free yuri. The subsequent "girl turns into futanari" transition allows Tokiichi-san to explore a large gamut of sexual activity not possible with a yuri-only or futanari-only theme.

Paizuri
I have yet to see any artist portray the sexual act of paizuri any better than that in Shimoyakedou's doujinshi, which usually feature at least one such delectable scene. In addition to how exquisitely soft the artist portrays these acts, what makes them particularly fascinating is their length... Yasashii Akumu features a single sequence of paizuri that lasts for 14 panels as Stheno/Euryale's penis explores every crevice of Rider's comforting cleavage before finally submitting to the pleasure. Paizuri works very well in conjunction with futanari themes, making for some very tender and passionate girl x girl sequences. Example: Rin ejaculates long and hard after finally succumbing to the succulent softness of Sakura's breasts in Sisters' Syrups. Afterwards, she apologizes for enjoying herself too much and atones by cutely licking off some of the ejaculate from Sakura's face.

Humor
Shimoyakedou doujinshi are often laced with cute humor either at the beginning and/or end of the main story. The super-deformed renditions of the characters during these scenes adds a huge aura of perceived authenticity to the story. Example: At the beginning of Papilio Protenor, Rider accidentally grabs Saber's ahoge (a pronounced strand of hair sticking up) not realizing that this stimulation has the odd effect of transforming her into the lascivious "Dark Saber," and they engage in passionate lovemaking shortly thereafter. Several days later, Rider obviously wants to make love to Saber again and tries to trigger another transformation by intentionally flicking Saber's ahoge while pretending it was an accident. ^_^

Successive Disrobing
It is unfortunate that many doujinshi artists over-simplify their drawings by having their characters' clothing magically disappear as the story progresses. Tokiichi-san, on the other hand, often accepts the artistic challenge of drawing his characters actively removing clothing articles from one another (raised shirts and bras, lifted skirts, lowered panties, removed hair ribbons, etc.) while still maintaining his high attention to detail in each character's clothing and undergarment designs. There is something to be said about discovering what types of bras and panties popular characters wear, and these depictions of progressively more revealing states of undress allow these characters to be even more identifiable as the encounter develops.

Common Drawing Techniques
Soft Linework and Visual Depth
Over the course of his many releases, Tokiichi-san has enhanced the presentation of his drawings by fine-tuning the linework and shading, ultimately resulting in a soothingly surreal visual experience. He complements his elegant "feather-like-touch" linework with the use of multiple shades of gray to simulate various colors such as Rin's deep red shirt and Sion's dark purple hair. Within each of these color shades, gradually shade transitions provides depth which is even further enhanced by hatching in extremely dark areas. Example: This opening scene of Gwendolyn sleeping from ORCHID SPHERE beautifully showcases the "soft" linework and various shading techniques in Shimoyakedou doujinshi. One can almost see the vivid colors that were so prevelant in the game that this doujinshi is based on. Compare this work with that of his first doujinshi, and his much improved artistic talent becomes immediately apparent.

Organized Panels and Flow
Shimoyakedou doujinshi are divided into well-organized, easy-to-follow panels. So as to prevent "noisy" visual clutter, the artist keeps backgrounds simple, often completely blank, so as to appropriately focus on the characters and their actions. Panels logically lead into one another, providing a continuous easy-to-follow flow of action as the sexual encounters unfold.

Blushing
Characters in Shimoyakedou doujinshi always have a certain degree of facial blushing as indicated by several lines and/or shading below their eyes. This blushing is used as a recurring visual device to indicate the level of sexual arousal and/or embarrassment in each character... The stronger the passion, the deeper the blushing.

Soft, Authentically-Sized Breasts
From the deliciously cute flat chest of Konata from Lucky Star to the standard breast sizes of Satsuki and Sion from Tsukihime to the massive mammaries of Rider from Fate Stay Night, Tokiichi-san endows his various female characters with a gorgeous array of breast sizes that accurately reproduces those of the characters being parodied. Words simply cannot do justice to how well their softness is portrayed when subjected to a fondling hand or an erect penis inserted between them... This artist's work is an impeccable example of perceived softness. The conventional nipple design that adorns each breast has non-outlined areolae that softly blend into the surrounding flesh.

Faithful Character Designs
Well-known characters are instantly recognizable due to the artist's meticulous attention to detail in recreating the face, hair, attire, and body shape of the characters being parodied while adding his own unique elements.

Internal Vaginal Views
This once rare visual technique has rapidly increased in popularity in ero-doujinshi and hentai over the past years. Having recognized the intoxicating allure of being able to actually see a girl's probing tongue or a futanari's fully erect penis as it explores the insides of another girl's vagina, the artist utilizes such views at opportune moments to visually portray the most passionate instances of physical bonding. This technique often accompanies Shimoyakedou's depictions of nakadashi. Example: At the beginning of Error Code, this technique is employed to show a tongue's gentle exploration of a girl's vagina.

Closing Thoughts
I make it a conscious effort never to use the word "perfect" to describe anything, especially something as subjective as art. That being said, I am quite tempted to make a rare exception and use that word in the case of this artist's works. Shimoyakedou is easily my favorite circle of all time thanks to Tokiichi-san's excellent storytelling skills, organized panel structure, focus on loving and consensual pairings, wonderful depictions of perceived softness, and remarkably consistent overall attention to detail. The fact that his main thematic focus on yuri and futanari coincides with my two favorite genres is icing on the cake. I strongly urge readers to support such artists by purchasing their actual physical releases. I realize this can be a challenge, but e-bay and online proxy purchasing services make locating such titles a reality for those of us who do not live in Japan.

Shimoyakedou's Releases (Sorted by release date)
Cover images with a thick blue border indicate titles with English fan translations
Updated Aug 26, 2009

TITLE: Secret Tea Time
RELEASE DATE: August 15, 2009 (Comiket 76)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: K-On! / Akiyama Mio x Kotobuki Tsumugi
THEME: Yuri
PAGES: 52 (B&W)

TITLE: RED Ring
RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2009 (COMIC1★３)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Touhou Project / Patchouli Knowledge x Remilia Scarlet
THEME: Yuri
PAGES: 15 of 28 (B&W)

TITLE: CRAWLING CHAOS
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2008 (Comiket 75)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Original / None
THEME: Tentacles
PAGES: 16 (B&W)

TITLE: Diabolos
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2008 (Comiket 75)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Original
THEME: Succubi, Yuri, Tentacles
PAGES: 9 of 16 (Full Color)

TITLE: 1more!Meat
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2008 (Comiket 75)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 / Chie Satonaka x Protagonist
THEME: Straight Sex
PAGES: 52 (B&W)

TITLE: Chicchai taii to icha icha sitari love iove shitari suru honn
[ちっちゃい大尉といちゃいちゃしたりラブラブしたりする本]
RELEASE DATE: August 16, 2008 (Comiket 74)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Macross Frontier / Kuran Kuran x Michael Blanc
THEME: Straight Sex PAGES: 40 (B&W)

TITLE: Nanafuro - Nanase Matsuura Frontier [ナナフロ]
RELEASE DATE: August 16, 2008 (Comiket 74)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Macross Frontier / Nanase Matsuura x Ranka Lee
THEME: Yuri
PAGES: 68 (B&W)

TITLE: Dream Junk Factory
RELEASE DATE: August 18, 2008 (Comiket 74)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Code Geass / C.C.
THEME: Straight Sex
PAGES: 16 (B&W)

TITLE: HeartMatic
RELEASE DATE: June 15, 2008
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Arcana Heart 2 / Elsa La Conti x Clarice Di Lanza
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 8 of 20 (B&W)

TITLE: Moon Banquet (月宴) Anthology - Review
RELEASE DATE: April 27, 2008 (COMIC1 2)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Tsukihime / Many
THEME: Futanari, Straight Sex
PAGES: 184 (B&W)

TITLE: VOICE SEED
RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2007 (Comiket 73)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Vocaloid / Miku x Producer
THEME: Straight Sex
PAGES: 52 (B&W)

TITLE: Cicada Drizzle
RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2007 (Comiket 73)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Lucky Star / Konata x Kagami
THEME: Yuri
PAGES: 32 (B&W)

TITLE: Papillon Heart
RELEASE DATE: August 17. 2007 (Comiket 72)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 / Aegis x Metis
THEME: Yuri, Straight Sex
PAGES: 42 (B&W)

TITLE: ORCHID SPHERE - Review
RELEASE DATE: August 17. 2007 (Comiket 72)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Odin Sphere / Velvet x Gwendolyn, Mercedes
THEME: Futanari, Incest
PAGES: 64 (B&W)

TITLE: Mei-Fang Typhoon (美鳳颱風)
RELEASE DATE: April 30, 2007 (COMIC1)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Arcana Heart / Kira x Mei-Fang, Heart Aino x Saki
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 44 (B&W)

TITLE: Contract Code C.C.
RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2007 (Sunshine Creation 34)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Code Geass / C.C. x Lelouch
THEME: Straight Sex
PAGES: 28 (B&W)

TITLE: Papilio protenor
RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2006 (Comiket 71)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Hollow Ataraxia / Saber x Rider
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 62 (B&W)

TITLE: BadStatus
RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2006 (Comiket 71)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 / Mitsuru x Minato
THEME: Straight Sex
PAGES: 42 (B&W)

TITLE: Yasashii Akumu (ヤサシイアクム)
RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2006 (Comiket 70)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Hollow Ataraxia / Stheno & Euryale x Rider
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 70 (B&W)

TITLE: Nagatoto
RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2006 (Comiket 70)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya / Yuki x Mikuru, Yuki x Kyon
THEME: Yuri
PAGES: 40 (B&W)

TITLE: Snake and Dragon (スネーク & ドラゴン) from Type Moon Anthology (Type Moon アンソロヂー)
RELEASE DATE: January 29, 2006
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Saber x Rider
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 8 of 228 (B&W)

TITLE: Narcolepsy
RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2005 (Comiket 69)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Bazett x Karen x Shirou
THEME: Yuri, Straight Sex
PAGES: 54 (B&W)

TITLE: Irohani (いろはに)
RELEASE DATE: October 13, 2005 (Comic Castle 2005)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Samurai Shodown 6 (侍魂) / Iroha
THEME: Straight Sex
PAGES: 20 (B&W)

TITLE: Sisters' syrups
RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2005 (Comiket 68)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Rin x Sakura
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 52 (B&W)

TITLE: Moon Drops
RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2005 (Comiket 68)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Tsukihime / Ciel x Arcueid
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 36 (B&W)

TITLE: White Muscat
RELEASE DATE: May 29, 2005
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Ilya x Shirou
THEME: Straight Sex
PAGES: 24 (B&W)

TITLE: RSD [コピー誌]
RELEASE DATE: April 24, 2005 [Comic Revolution 37]
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Various / None
THEME: Stand-alone Images, Preview
PAGES: 12 (B&W)

TITLE: Emotion RED
RELEASE DATE: April 24, 2005 (Comic Revolution 37)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Rin x Saber
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 28 (B&W)

TITLE: Purple Grape
RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2005 (Comic Market Special 4)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Sakura x Rider x Shirou
THEME: Yuri, Straight Sex
PAGES: 28 (B&W)

TITLE: DRS
RELEASE DATE: January 23, 2005 (Sunshine Creation 26)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Various / Various
THEME: Yuri, Straight Sex
PAGES: 16 (B&W)

TITLE: Royal Lotion
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2004 (Comiket 67)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Saber x Rin
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 52 (B&W)

TITLE: Noble Liquid
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2004 (Comiket 67)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Capcom Fighting Jam / Female Hydron x Ingrid
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 52 (B&W)

TITLE: Insomnia
RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2004 (Comiket 66)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Darkstalkers / Lilith x Morrigan
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 44 (B&W)

TITLE: Roji Ura no Kanojo-tachi (路地裏の彼女達)
RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2004 (Comiket 66)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Tsukihime / Satsuki x Sion
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 36 (B&W)

TITLE: Pink cherry
RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2004 (Comiket 66)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Sakura x Rider
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 32 (B&W)

TITLE: Red plum
RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2004
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Rin x Sakura
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 30 (B&W)

TITLE: Blue berry
RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2004 (Comic Revolution 35)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Fate Stay Night / Rin x Saber x Shirou
THEME: Yuri, Straight Sex
PAGES: 24 (B&W)

TITLE: The Cat's Holiday (猫の祭日) from Moon Ecstasy Anthology (ツキヒメゴト制作委員会)
RELEASE DATE: March 13, 2004
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Tsukihime / Ciel x Arcueid
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 4 of 192 (B&W)

TITLE: Triple Sherbet
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2003 (Comiket 65)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Samurai Spirits / Nakoruru x Rera, Rimururu
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 44 (B&W)

TITLE: Yumeneko (ゆめねこ)
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2003 (Comiket 65)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Tsukihime / Miyako x Ren x Shiki
THEME: Straight Sex, Yuri
PAGES: 66 (B&W)

TITLE: Shirokuro Shirokuroni (シロクロ シロクロニ)
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2003 (Comiket 65)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Original / Original
THEME: Guro, Yuri
PAGES: 28 (B&W)

TITLE: Passion Chocolate
RELEASE DATE: December 28, 2003 (Comiket 65)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Samurai Spirits Zero / Mina x Genjuro
THEME: Straight Sex
PAGES: 40 (B&W)

TITLE: Sekishi (赤紫)
RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2003
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Tsukihime / Akiha x Sion
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 36 (B&W)

TITLE: White Ash
RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2003 (Comiket 64)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Various & Original / None
THEME: Ecchi, Ero
PAGES: 36 (B&W)

TITLE: Neko no Kyuukitsu (猫の休日)
RELEASE DATE: June 15, 2003
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Tsukihime / Ciel x Arcueid
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 36 (B&W)

TITLE: Tsuki No Shizuku (月ノ雫)
RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2003
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Tsukihime / Hisui x Kohaku
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 32 (B&W)

TITLE: Error Code
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2002 (Comiket 63)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Guilty Gear XX, Fatal Fury, Darkstalkers / Unknown
THEME: Futanari
PAGES: 44 (B&W)

TITLE: Shirokuro (シロクロ)
RELEASE DATE: December 26, 1999 (Comiket 57)
PARODY / PAIRINGS: Original / None
THEME: Ecchi
PAGES: 8 of 38 (B&W)