Here we see Dai's evolution from whippersnapper to... Slightly taller whippersnapper!

Dai's arc is pretty much my own, best summed up with the below:

Early Years - Boundless energy, and always looking for fun, Dai's life up to this point has been all about discovering stuff he loves, and playing those loves hard. Always eager to help, and always happy to be helpful and good.

Later Childhood - With the start of school, Dai realises that his interests don't line up with those around him and realises that he doesn't share everybody else's trends, and his drive to be good makes him a 'goody two-shoes'. His large ears also being a frequent target for those less considerate of others on the playground. As a result, whilst Dai tries to remain positive, he's become much more reserved, shy and completely unlikely to be confrontational to those who show hostility.

Teenage years - Ashamed of his ears, and mood swings abound, teenage Dai is almost a complete departure from what he was up to this point. Laughed at for all the things he enjoys and sick of all the crap that school has thrown at him, Dai has been forced to 'grow up' from his earlier childhood passions. He has no idea just what makes him happy anymore.

Adult Self - School over, and with a new-found realisation that he's his own person, Dai has recovered his sense of optimism, and isn't afraid to embrace and enjoy the things he once loved.


Huge thanks for  Musuko42 for being so awesome and drawing all this!