Hey kitsune, you can actually clearly see how he drew the top abs in the DBZ style. Example: http://dennis-toys.blogspot.com/2008/09/legendary-super-saiyan-broly.html this is of Broly, and you can see that they enlarged its width, probably to emphasize how large his muscles are in a stylistic way. (they did very minimal shading, remember, so they had to represent his larger muscles in a way that would be immediately understood without showing depth)

I will say that it makes no sense to have those two defining lines on the top abs, though, there is nothing muscular that could be represented by that. Just place a single line in the center, line it up with the rest of the ab lines.

About him having 10 abs, though, I agree it should be 8 regardless of style. There is no justifiable reason to add two more, so the bottom two abs in your picture tention should be merged, and thats really all you need to do to fix that. Remember, the bottom abs are longer than the rest.

ps. I dont know about you, but i am favoriting that page because thats an awesome way to simplify the chest and abs. The arms look a tad weird though, could use some repositioning. The back needs some shape readjustments as well I think.

Quote from cmkinusn

Hey kitsune, you can actually clearly see how he drew the top abs in the DBZ style. Example: http://dennis-toys.blogspot.com/2008/09/legendary-super-saiyan-broly.html this is of Broly, and you can see that they enlarged its width, probably to emphasize how large his muscles are in a stylistic way. (they did very minimal shading, remember, so they had to represent his larger muscles in a way that would be immediately understood without showing depth)

the fact that there are problems with the muscular construction (as you put eloquently) is enough to make me really not care that it's in some dbz style, just that it looks off.

mmm i like the concept

Quote from cmkinusn

would you say that the figure i just showed you is off? Or just heavily simplified? (I think tention missed the rounded nature of the abs and that might be what throws off the look of the top two abs)

If you look at the muscular image I posted, the only construction difference between that and the figure you posted is the removal of the top of the semilunar aponeurosis (that white line between the abs and the obliques. holds them all together) and made one solid form from the obliques. It's really good anatomy exaggeration to show how muscular he is and offer more transition to the pecs.

This is art we are talking about Kitsune, and to each his own. I think the abs look better that way, he looks tough and I've always loved the DBZ-esque stuff. It's fine that it drives you crazy and you don't like it, but some people do not have a need for super-detail and realism, same with animations. I love animations because I can break out of all the rules that "realism" has, if i so choose to. Art/Drawing is the same way, there is no right or wrong way. You can only preach "correct anatomy" so much, not everyone is going to eat it up.

Great artwork tention, you are during Asura some justice. Very badass, just like the damn game!

Quote from Nhazul

This is art we are talking about Kitsune, and to each his own. I think the abs look better that way, he looks tough and I've always loved the DBZ-esque stuff. It's fine that it drives you crazy and you don't like it, but some people do not have a need for super-detail and realism, same with animations. I love animations because I can break out of all the rules that "realism" has, if i so choose to. Art/Drawing is the same way, there is no right or wrong way. You can only preach "correct anatomy" so much, not everyone is going to eat it up.

Okay I see I overstayed my welcome trying to help. My fucking bad for pointing out what could be interpreted as an error or an uneducated exaggeration. I'll just go ahead and be made out to be an antagonist for trying to be helpful to someone who's work i respect. I won't make that mistake again.