Rika Thorn
A very well-done concept.  Loss of the ability to use one's legs (or, as in many cases, loss of said legs) is a common disability, which meant you had to come up with a creative solution.  Aside from a very charming name, Rika's weapon perfectly fits the image of a rabbit warrior, delivering bone-crushing kicks and breakneck speed.  Her semblance really emphasizes the idea of 'unfair', but you managed to balance it.  If a foe should try to engage her on her territory, they're royally screwed, but if she hasn't taken the time to set up Brambles she's fairly normal.  Her emblem and color are both fitting, and her bio works well.  My only gripe with Rika is that her personality is three sentences long, 'quite a good liar' somewhat throws doubt on her otherwise pleasant persona, and there isn't really any detail about a calm exterior or an interior it might contrast.  Lastly, you picked a good, striking image.


Kuro Nishi
A nice bio compliments an intriguing character.  The way you over came Kuro's blindness, what with the vibrations and all, plus his association with earth, reminded me of Avatar's Toph, which is not at all a bad thing.  A drill is certainly a unique weapon, and with a name that's a reference to Gurren Lagann, it manages to be pretty epic.  Unfortunately, his fighting style seems rather one-track and gimmicky, which does not, I think, suit a many-faceted hunter and a member of Beacon's premier team.  His semblance doesn't really work together the concept of unfairness for me.  Sure, parasitism of any kind is tricky and underhanded, but the way you said he works it means that it doesn't harm or drain his opponents at all—just uses their leftovers.  The last sentence of the 'personality' section somewhat confused me, though the section as a whole certainly illustrated the concept of calmness.


Biely Wakahisa
There's unfair, and then there's overpowered.  A blade that can cut pretty much anything, armor that can both withstand a a lot of punishment and melt anyone who touches it, shapeshifting, flight, and ranged attacks.  His backstory is extremely tragic, and while that in itself is not a problem, I understand that he was permanently injured and the rest of his team slaughtered at a combat school.  I can't tell if this was meant to be Beacon, another similar academy, or a preliminary school like Signal, but if it were Beacon he wouldn't be in the school any longer.  That brings up some big questions: how was his team exposed to a threat in their sophomore year that led to a 75% casualty rate, and Beacon hasn't been shut down?  I'm honestly sorry to be so hard on you.  Your concept was good, particularly the personality section (I can see how an introverted personality links with a semblance that creates armor), but the execution leaves too much to be desired.


Cassandra Marine
Not everyday do you see a character with a scarf for a weapon and the ability to breath magic.  Her appearance is described well; I could easily picture her in the world of RWBY.  Her personality is alright, but could probably use a little more breadth.  The backstory is the most extensive yet, but you did not at all make it a chore to read, which I appreciate.  Aside from questions of just how practical a weighted scarf would actually be, her semblance -while seriously awesome- does not really relate to the concept of having a troublesome advantage over her opponent.  The ability to negate someone's semblance or paralyze them is unfair; breathing dust is just powerful.  Though you didn't use the words I provided for the personality section, I figure that a person who treats most people in a detached, unemotional sort of way pretty well fits that category.


Jessica Wilson
With a personality that neither entertains the concept of a calm exterior or relates to her semblance, a single-paragraph bio, and names for herself and her bow that are -to frank- uninspiring, Jessica strikes me as either rushed or underdeveloped.  Sorry, but you won't be taking this round.


The winner of contest #1, Overcome, is TentacleLord.  The runner-up is McFazzer.

[h1]Contest #2 - Driven[/h1]
[b]Judge:[/b] Lugubrious
[b]Type:[/b] Character creation
[b]Deadline:[/b] March 2nd, afternoon

Your task is to create a character using the provided sheet that satisfies the following information.  Categories that do not appear on the character sheet are open to interpretation.  Categories that do appear on the character sheet must be followed, but can and should be further expounded upon if able.

Motif: Paper
Age: 21
Specialty: Controlling and debilitating others.
Personality: Obsessed; conflicted
Appearance: Has some variety of headwear/gear, fancy
Additional info: Character is a member of a senior team at Beacon, and is as such a proficient warrior just about ready to become a fully-fledged huntsman.  This character is the 'Lancer' of the team, psychologically speaking.