Judo character further development

As mentioned previously, I researched the concept of the Nio and want to represent them in my artwork, having been inspired by a blog post (http://returnofthemex.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/how-fight-culture-became-fighting-game_15.html) which draws comparison between the characters Akuma and Mr. Karate and the Nio. Screenshots of the blog can be seen below. I include them here as they were very informative and interesting. The blog also played a big part in the development for this character.

The most interesting part of the blog post is reference to how similar the poses of Akuma (Gouki) and Mr. Karate look to the Nio. I wish to take inspiration from this, and try to make my character resemble the Nio as well. I find these poses particularly interesting as they look so unnatural. The fact that they appear to be a direct reference to the Nio is intriguing as well, and if someone can recognise them that is special too as it creates the link and gives more meaning to the character through the pose. 

Below are reference images which will assist in the creation of a suitable pose and also inspire the mask. 

Below are a range of pose: 

I felt that the above poses did not work well to communicate any element of the Nio, so decided to revise the pose. Below are two poses I constructed from having a friend pose and drawing and editing them appropriately. 

With these two poses, I did not want to overtly reflect the Nio, so I tried to incorporate a sense of Judo/ martial arts with the closed fist and the left hand open as if to deflect something. Overall I felt that the first pose worked better so decided to take it forward. 

The two below are the ones I want to take forward and refine. 

When it came to designing the clothing, I already had a clear vision in my mind that this character was going to be clothed in a traditional judo gi, which is why the front section is longer than it is nowadays, and the sleeves and legs are shorter. I also wanted to add something slightly different to it, rather than have him wear a typical judo gi, so I experimented briefly with having one arm ripped at the shoulder, but ultimately really liked the idea of him having one arm out and tucked into the belt so it did not get in the way and also served so that he did not get too warm. I tested this idea out by getting my friend to wear a cardigan in as similar of a way as possible to see if it would be practical and look good. The prayer beads were another element I wanted to have to feed into the feeling that this was a spiritual or religious man who followed the Buddhist way. As previously mentioned, the idea of having a Nio mask and prayer beads was to strengthen this idea. Additionally I tried to give him a ring attached to his back that resembled a halo, and whilst I really love using these if I can, and also if it fits the theme, I feel it would not be practical and it would not be supported well.

The costume was inspired by the following elements and, honestly, I'm really happy with it which is why there aren't more iterations.

Below are two images showing how the judo gi used to look, how the sleeves and legs were shorter and the top was longer. Also the colour was different, it was not bleached white.

I also wanted the shirt to be open, again to allow for more airiness, but also because this is how many of the shirts end up after people fight. 

Taking inspiration from Aruon from Final Fantasy X, he has his arm out of one sleeve and the sleeve just hangs there. I thought this would be in the way, so I decided that my character would tuck his sleeve into his belt.

I also wanted to explore the idea of having both sleeves free and have the shirt hanging by the belt. From what I can see in the image below, something similar. However, it's clearly already been done, so I did not experiment with it. Also I thought it wouldn't make sense, as if the character was going to wear the shirt like that, he may as well just not wear one. 

Below are alternate costumes for Ryu from Street Fighter, and two stood out in particular, which are the first and third one, particularly because of the way the shirt is worn and how it looks in the third. The first reminds me much of the design above, with the sleeves not worn. The third one helped me to visualise my idea of having just one sleeve unworn, however, Ryu's shirt seems to be ripped.

Similarly, Gouken from Street Fighter features a design much like the third one of Ryu's above.

Below are references for the prayer (mala) beads, and how they can be worn and in what forms they come.

I thought it may be impractical and less interesting if the beads were worn around the neck in just one circle, and though it would look more interesting if it looped and formed two circles.

The bracelet is also interesting, as the beads are bigger and more ornate with the decoration.

I really wanted to incorporate a further element suggesting divinity, however, the ring/ halo does not seem to fit the character well enough. Perhaps a compromise could be the addition of the staff. Still working it out.