kalahari
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Krystal
🕑 Added 2025-08-20 21:48:00 +0000 UTCI took a swing at everyone’s favorite Cerinian for Krystal Appreciation Month. Not because there’s any kind of Krystal shortage, but because my favorite interpretations give her a little mystery and liveliness. Moreso than cockwarmer for dinogrunts, anyway. I took a few liberties to nudge her in that direction.
My first encounter with the blue vixen was in an issue of Nintendo Power way back in the year 2000. I still lived in South Africa at the time, so the magazine mostly just teased me with games I didn’t even have a chance of playing until someone in the family could take a trip Stateside and do a little shopping on my behalf. Anyway, it wasn’t even official artwork in that issue, but a drawing in the fan mail section. The work of someone who had, herself, probably seen Dinosaur Planet beta material and was totally smitten.
So when Star Fox Adventures came out and you could (briefly) play as Krystal, I was kinda thrilled. But it was the moment when she was possessed and her eyes turned violet that was especially impactful (ie, made me feel funny). The young tribal princess ferrying an ancient spirit inside her body had a sort of esoteric allure that I’ve never seen captured in fanart. I gave her those eyes in the first version of this piece but decided it didn’t really fit the mood -- something to return to maybe. But I’m attaching both versions, so take your pick!
Comments
Bex
I don't know a lot about Krystal, and I appreciate learning more about your history with the character. Her blue goes really well with the greens and pink of the surrounding foliage. It's a nice juxtaposition of her being in an action pose, with a feminine and almost serene environment around her.
Kalahari
Yeah, you get it :) Her voice (and even the made up language) absolutely enhanced those feelings of attraction. I've been wanting to do a replay of the game since it's been many years. It's hard to face that fact that you only get a short time with her at the beginning before she's locked up in that crystal.
Vesorak
Your story brings back such great memories. I remember being young, thinking I was playing a traditional Star Fox game, like Star Fox 64 that I fell in love with after borrowing it from a friend (he never got that game back). I also remember booting it up and feeling... a bit funny. I was young at the time, but I was totally smitten with her. I loved her accent. I think the attraction was more innocent back then. I had a save file I would delete just to play her section over and over. I still have Star Fox Adventures. Every so often I will play through the game again. In fact I just finished a play through earlier this year. I think your portrayal is wonderful. She is indeed a very difficult character to capture the essence of. Despite the uncountable fan renditions, there is something very special about the original tribal vixen <3.
Kalahari
Star Fox Adventures was really her best showing, and it's not even close. I'd love to see another game along those lines but I think I have about as much faith in the franchise as you do. Hopefully she's not just "too hot for Nintendo" now. I haven't seen nearly as many civets as I'd like, but yeah they left an impact :)
draegwolf
Love what you've done with her here. God I remember Nintendo Power. Krystal has always felt like one of those characters Nintendo doesn't know what they want to do with. She could have worked really well in an action-adventure game like her introductory game, but she's kinda wasted in the Star Fox franchise after that...which is kinda indicative of the franchise itself if we're being honest. South Africa eh? That explains the familiarity with civets.
DeltaRedWolf
I love hearing the backstory of how you got introduced to Krystal! I had a similar feeling when first discovering some of my favorite Pokémon as a kid. This is a stunning rendition of her, you definitely did her justice for Krystal Appreciation Month! 💙
