I wanted to draw the three friends in an exciting, energetic, but also symbolic way. I put Kairi in the center, but behind the boys, because that is also how she is placed in the Kingdom Hearts games. She is the catalyst for their adventures, thir driving force, but never actually in them. I drew her using her casting Curaga on her friends from behind as they charge forward into action. Riku dives sword first and head first into action, a follow-up attack already ablaze. Sora leaps ahead, his attack falling behind him, face beaming. Together, they create a heart-shaped enclosure around their treasured friend, Kairi, who completes the heart with her magic. Lastly, I used exaggerated foreshortening which in one final symbolic move places their feet at odds with each other. Riku is the furthest away, Kari is in the middle, and Sora is far out in front.

Final pencils.

I'm right handed, so I ink from right to left.

After I completely ink the image, I erase the pencil lines and do a second pass with thicker pens to create dynamic contours.

I didn't know the bottom of Sora's shoe had crowns on it until I researched for this drawing! :)