Ulan: The Wind Ninja , Character Design

Origins and Inspiration of Ulan: The Wind Ninja

Ulan, a childhood friend of Ling from the Fire Clan, shares a deep connection with him despite their contrasting elements. Ling, embodying fire, is marked by black and yellow, while Ulan, representing wind, is defined by black and blue—black for stealth, blue for wind. This duality shapes both his identity and design, creating a visual and thematic balance between the two warriors.

Character Design Evolution

Over the years, Ulan’s appearance has evolved significantly. The original colored pencil artwork featured a bulkier frame and heavier clothing, but the digital redesign drew stronger inspiration from heroes wielding oversized swords—most notably Cloud from Kingdom Hearts and Guan Ping from Dynasty Warriors 3.

I refined Ulan’s physique, lightened his outfit, and introduced cloud motifs on his pants to reinforce his wind element. His boomerang, a secondary weapon, further accentuates his swift and unpredictable combat style, complementing the fluidity of his movements.

Zero

Circa 2003

The original colored pencil artwork featured a bulkier frame and heavier clothing.

A colored pencil illustration of Ulan in his early design. He stands in a battle-ready pose, wearing a flowing blue cape, gripping a sleek silver sword.

Ulan: The Wind Ninja

July 12, 2009

“She was too weak to fight back. She shouted my name and with her final breath, I felt her fiery blaze possess me. That was when the blue flame was born. Fierce as fire and quick as the wind.”

A digitally illustrated character of Ulan, a blue-and-black clad ninja, sitting by a giant sword embedded in the ground. The wind blows through his hair as a mystical forest looms in the background.

Ulan: The Wind Ninja in Storytelling

While Ulan is a version of Zero, the name Zero Tolerance was more of a personal handle from my Counterstrike days, rather than something directly tied to the character. In my broader story world, Ulan’s journey aligns with an early concept I called Lorbie The Rings, which brought various warriors together under an intertwined destiny.

Lorbie: The Rings – The Gathering

Circa 2003

This comic panel is a glimpse of that very story—a moment where characters were called upon to gather, each driven by their own battles and beliefs, but share a common goal.

A black-and-white hand-drawn comic page showing Ulan standing in the center, commanding the scene with an aura of energy. Other characters react in surprise, with dialogue in Filipino enhancing the tension.

Final Thoughts

Ulan represents a fusion of martial skill, stealth, and the power of the wind. His presence in my portfolio stands as a reflection of my artistic evolution, where early influences intertwine with deliberate storytelling choices.

From his oversized sword to his agile movements, every element of his design tells a story—one that continues to unfold.