Derek Barrantes
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molluskshell.bsky.social
Derek Barrantes
@molluskshell.bsky.social
180 followers 100 following 1K posts
Lv. 20 / Aspiring Manga Artist / Interests: Tolkien (Hobbit, LOTR, Silmarillion, etc.), SpongeBob, Osamu Tezuka (鉄腕アトム, ブラック・ジャック), Love Live, Classic Literature, ReoNa, 声優 / まだ日本語を勉強中です！
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molluskshell.bsky.social
2025.11.19
今日はブラック・ジャック連載52周年です！
おめでとうございます！
私の一番好きな漫画は本当に愛される作品です！
ブラック・ジャックとピノコを描きました。

Today is the 52nd anniversary of Black Jack’s serialization!
Congratulations!
My favorite manga of all time is such a beloved work!
I drew Black Jack and Pinoko.

#ブラックジャック #ブラック・ジャック #BlackJack #Art #イラスト
A colored illustration of Black Jack and Pinoko. At the right side of the illustration is text that reads: “2025.11.19 BLACK JACK 52nd Anniversary.”
November 19, 2025 at 3:49 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
#TolkienTrewsday Week 143: Fathers and Sons

Even though they’re cousins and Frodo calls him “uncle,” I always liked seeing Bilbo as Frodo’s adoptive father.

He loved and cared for him, and even helped prepare him for his grand quest.

(This illustration was originally for Hobbit Day 2024.)
A colored illustration of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins celebrating their birthday. The two have their arms linked. Bilbo has a wide smile while Frodo looks at him with fondness. The medium of this illustration is pencils, inks, and copics on paper.
November 18, 2025 at 4:10 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
I love how you just basically said:
November 17, 2025 at 1:53 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Apparently, it’s been exactly two years since my family welcomed this guy into our lives.

Great to have you, Gary.
An orange cat named Gary lies down in a loaf position on white bedsheets.
November 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Here’s a version with just a plain blue background.
A colored illustration of Legolas and Gimli walking and having a chat. Gimli holds an axe while Legolas holds his bow and carries a quiver or arrows on his back.
November 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
No prompts, no special occasions, just a drawing drawn for personal enjoyment.

I realized that I never really draw Legolas and Gimli, so I decided to draw them walking and having a nice friendly chat.

#Tolkien #LotR #Legolas #Gimli #Art #イラスト
A colored illustration of Legolas and Gimli having a chat as they walk along a grassy plain. Gimli holds an axe while Legolas holds his bow and carries a quiver or arrows on his back.
November 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Literally the first thing I thought of:
November 10, 2025 at 7:17 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Someone on tumblr did their own take on my Uma Musume designs for Shadowfax and Bill the Pony!

I love them lots and might even prefer their Bill design over mine, haha.

The artist’s username is nyanbinary-81! Show ‘em some love if you can!

#Tolkien #LotR #UmaMusume #ウマ娘 #Fanart
Fanart of my Uma Musume designs for Bill the Pony (left) and Shadowfax (right). Bill is a short Uma Musume with blonde hair. She has a green handkerchief wrapped around her right ear, wears a typical hobbit outfit, and carries a backpack. Shadowfax is a much taller and muscular Uma Musume with silver hair. Her accessory on her right ear is a dark red bow with a red orb dangling from it by a gold chain. She wears a grey sleeveless crop top with matching shorts, a black belt, black leggings, knee-high white boots, and a white cape.
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Oh boy, lucky me! I got the characters I wanted!

What’s even cooler is that the Uika (right) I got is a “Special Rare” variant!

#Bandori #MyGo #AveMujica #バンドリ #高松燈 #三角初華
PalVerse figures of Tomori Takamatsu (left) and Uika Misumi (right). The Uika figure is a "Special Rare" variant that has her in her gardening uniform.
November 7, 2025 at 2:55 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Went to the dentist today and it really hurt, so I bought these guys to make me happy.

Will update on who I got!

#Bandori #MyGo #AveMujica #バンドリ
Two boxes of PalVerse Bandori figures. The one on the left is for members of MyGo while the one on the right is for Ave Mujica.
November 6, 2025 at 11:18 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
#TolkienTrewsday Week 141: Akallabêth

As the island crumbles and the floodwaters rise, Sauron relishes in the destruction and his victory over Númenor.
A black and white illustration of Sauron in fair form making his way through the ruins of Númenor and the rising floodwaters.
November 6, 2025 at 2:03 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
2025.11.3
Today is the birthday of Osamu Tezuka.
Sensei, can you see this?
I promise I’ll become the greatest mangaka one day! Just like you!

今日は手塚治虫の誕生日です。
先生、見えますか？
私は必ず最強の漫画家になります！先生と同じように！

#手塚治虫 #OsamuTezuka #手塚先生 #まんがの日 #Art #イラスト
A black and white illustration of Osamu Tezuka.
November 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
#Tolkientober Day 31: Destruction

Frodo and Sam watch as Gollum falls into the fires of Mount Doom, the One Ring still in hand.

With the destruction of the Ring, Sauron is at last defeated. And so ends Tolkientober (even though I’m quite late for this)!
A black and white illustration of the destruction of the One Ring. Frodo and Sam are on a rocky platform. They are scratched and injured, and their clothes are torn and dirty. Frodo is on his knees and he is clutching his bloodied right hand. Sam stands behind Frodo and has one hand on his shoulder. They are both looking at Gollum, who is falling into the fires of Mount Doom with the One Ring still in his hand.
November 1, 2025 at 2:52 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
I took lots of pictures of Hera’s horse.

It must be turned into an Uma Musume.
Hera rides her horse in the opening scene of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Hera’s horse leaves her as she awaits one of the Great Eagles. Hera rides her horse to Edoras. Hera and Háma talk in the horse stables of Edoras.
October 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Look what’s showing on HBO Hits tonight!

(I can’t watch it because I have to wake up early tomorrow for a hike. 😔)

#LotR #LordotheRings #WotR #WaroftheRohirrim #ローハンの戦い
The title card of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. The film’s title is set against the backdrop of Edoras. Hera rides her horse to Edoras. Hera smiles in a scene from The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Helm Hammerhand sits on the throne at Meduseld. At his left side are his sons Haleth and Háma, while on his right is his daughter Hera.
October 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
We had a Shodo (書道) activity yesterday in Japanese class. It’s basically the art of calligraphy, and I just wrote the same word four times each with different styles.

The word I chose was 『帝王』(read as “Teio”) which means ‘Monarch’ and is the namesake of my favorite Uma Musume!
Four pieces of paper with the Japanese word 『帝王』(read as “Teio”) written in ink. A piece of paper with the Japanese word 『帝王』(read as “Teio”) written in ink surrounded by Tokai Teio merch.
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
#Tolkientober Day 28 and #TolkienTrewsday Week 140: Perseverance

Even in the darkness of Mordor and with a great burden weighing him down, Frodo Baggins perseveres.
A colored illustration of a tired and worn-down Frodo walking along a dark rocky area. His left hand clutches the Ring around his neck and he has a determined expression on his face.
October 28, 2025 at 3:44 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Ah yes, the one who exploded.

For context:
October 25, 2025 at 12:24 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
(1/2) Honestly, I’m pretty satisfied stopping with the ‘Horses’ prompt for #Tolkientober since I practically did all the prompts I really wanted to do.

Anyway, here’s Shadowfax and Bill with their original selves!

#ウマ娘 #UmaMusume #Art #イラスト
A colored illustration of Shadowfax (left) and Bill the Pony (right) as Uma Musume side-by-side with their original counterparts. The Shadowfax picture is of the horse that portrayed him in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy while the picture of Bill the Pony is an illustration drawn by John Howe.
October 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
Literally me.
My Letterboxd review of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. My Letterboxd review of the first episode of Smiling Friends.
October 25, 2025 at 7:47 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
#Tolkientober Day 23: Horses

The Lord of the Rings: Pretty Derby!

Shadowfax and Bill the Pony have turned into Uma Musume! Look at them run!

#UmaMusume #ウマ娘 #Art #イラスト
A colored illustration of Shadowfax as an Uma Musume. She has silver hair and greenish blue eyes. She wears a sporty-looking outfit that has blue, grey, and white as its primary color scheme. On her right ear is a maroon ribbon that has a red jewel attached to it via a gold chain. A colored illustration of Bill the Pony as an Uma Musume. She has very dark brown hair that is tied into a long braid and has a white streak in her bangs. Her outfit is inspired by a hobbit’s wardrobe and has green, yellow, and brown as its primary color scheme. She has green handkerchiefs wrapped around her right ear and right arm as well as bandaids on her left leg and right cheek.
October 24, 2025 at 3:37 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
When I woke up this morning and checked my Instagram, I found that a most unexpected person saw my story featuring my ReoNa birthday art.

She saw it, gang. 🥹
I did it. I made it.
A screenshot from Instagram that shows that ReoNa saw my story that featured my illustration of her for her birthday.
October 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
2025.10.20
Today is the birthday of ReoNa, my favorite singer of all time!

ReoNa has been a light for me when all other lights go out. Thanks to her, I’m always reminded to smile and laugh even for just a little bit.

All the best, ReoNa!

#ReoNa
#ReoNa誕生祭2025
#ReoNa生誕祭2025
#Art #イラスト
A colored illustration of ReoNa for her birthday. At the top and bottom is text that altogether reads: “2025.10.20 Happy Birthday, ReoNa!”
October 20, 2025 at 1:48 AM
molluskshell.bsky.social
#Tolkientober Day 17: Parents

Denethor, the stern and proud Steward of Gondor who is also the father of the brothers Boromir and Faramir.

I thought it’d be nice to tie today’s prompt with the ‘brotherhood’ prompt earlier this week!
A colored illustration of Denethor. His right hand wields the white rod of the Stewards of Gondor while his left holds a palantír.
October 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
molluskshell.bsky.social
#Tolkientober Day 16: Cozy

Busy day? Tiring week?

Not to worry! Feel free to wind down with Bilbo as he enjoys his (comically large) cup of tea. He’s even got his glasses on for reading a good book!
A colored illustration of Bilbo Baggins holding a comically large cup of tea. He is also wearing glasses.
October 16, 2025 at 3:44 AM