New Beginnings Art Contest: Results

Welcome in 2023 with the results of the New Beginnings Art Contest, now available on a main menu near you!

Throughout time immemorial, some people have proudly and grandiosely claimed that 'every end is a new beginning'. And so, as 2022 fades into memory (thank goodness), we stand on the precipice of a new and exciting year with everything that brings.

Which in this case, is a new set of Art Contest finalists to start with!

Thanks to the exhaustive efforts of 4273 unique voters, 19 finalists have been decided, with 15 from the initial voting and an extra 4 as chosen by the CEO of circles himself.

Let's get stuck straight into things — and remember, you can click any banner to be taken to a full-size version of the art in all of its glorious quality.

Welcoming in 2023 with 2203 votes (we can't make this stuff up, honestly) is Dreamxiety's rendition of a kimono-clad pippi enjoying a sparkler amidst a sea of stars and floating lanterns!

Here's the official count of Dreamxiety's wins so far: many. And with a style like this, it's not hard to see why. Well done!

2045 voters stumbled into torekka capturing a candid moment between pippi and Mocha, all set to a backdrop of fantastical fireworks. Getting swept up in things is definitely on brand for these two.

The new year festivities bloom in full with Nimiru's take on a gorgeous Eastern-themed celebration. 2029 voters approved.

The traditional media feel on this one is a rare treat!

1944 voters cheered on Novarece's take on pippi, Mocha and Maria (in her old costume) enjoying some cake on a lake to welcome in the new year. That's all that's going on in this picture.

Do not look at the walls of the boat. Do not look under the table.

1936 voters could not resist ZunK's pippi and Mocha welcoming them to a fantastical new years celebration. 2022 might've given us a new keyboard meta, but maybe 2023 is going to give us a new art meta in pippi with hair buns and bells.

Kwms024 pulled out all the stops in this Zodiac-infused masterpiece, earning the acclaim of 1924 voters. The banner really does not do this one justice, so we highly recommend clicking the banner to see it in full, or just checking it out in-game.

Simply glorious!

1912 voters joined in the festive firework awe with Nemururin's rendition of pippi, Mocha, Yuzu and a don enjoying the scenery.

A crowd of 1693 voters joined Son Goku's pippi, Mocha, Chirou and a don in perusing through some festive stalls for future fortunes. Well, two of them at least. Mocha's rocking a sparkler with mischief in her eyes and the don beside her clearly knows what's up.

ksenikust goes clean, crisp and retro-future in their rendition of an insanely stylish pippi to the approval of 1660 voters. The colour work on this piece is phenomenal. Absolutely outstanding work!

RedcXca decrees that Alisa's time to shine is right now, and 1404 voters agreed. Her base outfit really does fit the occasion, doesn't it?

Kitcat's iconic style returns to the glee of 1168 voters, showcasing a delightful festive dinner that has it all and even more if you take the time to look!

1156 voters could not refuse MyAngelNeptune's pippi and her invitation to witness the scintillating sky and its many sights.

nooders totally ran with the 'mascots on your desk' thing to the joy of 1122 voters, and quite literally, drew mascots on a desk. Tiny, adorable mascots, including a Mocha that fits in a spoon and pippi plus Aiko admiring either a don-hammer or a don-lollipop. The don does not know how to feel about this development. This is how things should be for the don.

1120 voters yielded to the might of McFriedFries's take on a festive hotpot, complete with pippi, Mocha, Chirou, and an ominously-approaching rendition of the Dean "peppy" Herbert in his secret new year hoodie.

We don't know how you got snaps from inside his wardrobe, but clearly the world is better off for it.

]w[ swept 1038 voters away in a sea of festive osu!-themed motifs. It's all here. pippi, Tama (rejoice, fans of this less-seen community mascot, this writer included), cats of a white variety, freely diving slimes, questionably-branded energy drinks and well-adored osu! peripherals. Plus a lot more, which you'll find out for yourself!

peppy picks

Continuing on from previous contests, the Dean "peppy" Herbert himself decreed that the following four artworks will make it to the main menu because he likes them. Unsurprisingly, they're pretty likeable, so we think he's on to something.

AyoLie's entry originally impressed 711 voters, but really left a mark with peppy, who greatly appreciated how closely the piece stuck to the theme of "new beginnings" and really ran with it. Or sailed with it, as it were.

Accordingly, this piece has set a course straight for the main menu!

papricot's subdued piece caught the eye of 173 voters, but also drew peppy to think of a quiet moment alone to reflect on the past, while being hopeful for everything that is to come.

Fluffy Megumi's monochrome artistry impressed 88 voters and peppy both, the latter stating that he very much appreciated the contrast to the typically colourful entries that people go for, and how happy both pippi and Mocha seem!

nhiil's piece earned 158 votes and the approval of the Dean himself. When asked why, he said two words: "lovely cityscape". And it is indeed lovely!

Download a zip archive containing the finalists & peppy picks here!

You'll find that all the entries listed above are available in your favorite release stream now, be it stable, lazer, or somewhere inbetween. They'll stick around for a week or two in January to keep us all company.

The top 3 finalists have received their fancy bespoke profile badges to celebrate their win, and all the finalists will find themselves starting 2023 with 3 months of osu! supporter for their superb efforts.

The full voting results are available over at the New Beginnings contest listing, so make sure to check that out if you're wondering where your favorite entry ended up if it didn't make it into the finalists.

If you like any of the pieces that aren't available in the archive above, make sure to check the artist's profile for any socials or maybe send them a DM asking them for a link to the piece! Nothing warms the heckles more than having people express how much they like your stuff.

A big thank you to everyone who submitted an entry, and we hope you found the experimental schedule a little better! Maybe 2023 will be the year we finally do the beach episode fanart contest...

Oh, and a happy new year from all of us on the osu!team!

—Ephemeral