How Times Have Changed

Qualification Sample here: fav.me/d6zus7z

Civilian Name: Himiko Sakura

When not a senshi: Sakura spends the majority of her time as a miko in the small shrine to which she was summoned.  She feels most comfortable there because the shrine is old and timeless, and most resembles the world the way it was the last time she was summoned.  Eventually Ayame, one of the shrine maidens there, forces her to enroll in school so she doesn't draw suspicion or get reprimanded for truancy.

Dreams: As a manifestation of the will of her country, Sakura's dreams are the dreams of Japan.  And because she was summoned to protect Japan from the dark forces invading the country, her dream is of a Japan free from attacks by evil forces, where people can get back to the peaceful lives they treasure.

Fears: Sakura's worst fear is that she will fail in her fight against the Kagemono and Yami no Kaiju.  If she cannot defeat the enemy, her beloved people face the threat of another nuclear attack, and her heart breaks at the memory of the suffering caused by the previous ones.

Favourite Food:  One of Sakura's secret vices is sweets.  Mochi and dango are among her favorites, and her delight knew no bounds when Ayame introduced her to this strange new treat called "Pocky."  She takes great pride in the ingenuity of her people, and sees the great variety of sweets they have created over the years as a prime example of it. 

When the Yami no Kaiju attacked, the miko at a small shrine began to pray.  There was an old legend that the maidens there, centuries ago, summoned a great spirit to defeat the demons attacking the city.  According to legend, the land itself answered their call and sent a great defender in an unexpected form; a fierce young woman, pure of heart and full of righteous honor, who would smite anything that stood in her path.  It was always considered a silly old legend, a fanciful tale told to little girls to assuage their fears of the imaginary monsters in the darkness.  But with real monsters full of terrible darkness now attacking the city, anything seemed worth a try, and the young and idealistic Hikari Ayame insisted they try to summon this woman.

They prayed with all the devotion and concentration they could muster, with desperation adding extra emphasis to their pleas.  Hours passed, and the monster had caused considerable damage.  They were becoming exhausted, but what else could they do?  Then suddenly there was a blinding flash in the shrine, and they found a small jade jewel, the Magatama, lying on the floor of the shrine.  Within seconds there was a second light from atop Tokyo Tower, and the Yami no Kaiju was gone.  The shrine maidens were stunned.  It had worked!  Then, next to the Magatama, their heroine appeared.  She lay unconscious on the floor, the attack having taken all the energy she had.  She was startlingly petite for someone who had just slain a giant monster.  When she didn't disappear, they became nervous.  No one had expected her to stay around.  What were they going to do with her?

In retrospect, drawing plaid by hand was probably a mistake. ^_^;  Otherwise I love this, and it came together quickly.  The background is from the now-defunct stock gallery at rubber-slug.com.

The caption should be "What is she, Yakuza?"  "What a weirdo."  and a nervous laugh from Ayame.