Here is the final product of my 3rd vector. I added alot of shading and effects to the katanas. Any advice?

I love the colors but I don't like the eyes...
I like hair, that's cool

Thanks, i might start a new one soon, but im not sure what ill do it of. any suggestions?

Hmm... i see you tried putting lots of shadows and reflections into this one... well... if i had to comment:
1. yeah, the eyes could use a little bit more work... its not bad, but its not generic hence not used to it =P
2. the shadows look abit... unrealistic to some sense... i'm not sure how to put it... it doesn't seem projected as well...
3. his big sword doesn't seem to have the same amount of shine that his front katana, i would've loved to seen a shiny big sword... its like, with the right camera angles you could actually make the blade reflect his back... ^^
4. Shadows on the legs, particularly the foot doesn't feel as well projected.

thats all i can think for now, i'm quite dizzy atm O_O

IMO, one sword is enough. Having a big sword as a second sword is kinda hard to get into the head, i mean a little realism.

what are the straps around his shoulders for?

Who ever said anime ever had to be real. The straps, idk, just for added accessories. This is a vector of Musashi, from the old PS1 game Brave Fencer Musashi. The smaller katana is the sword you start out with in the game, then later you get the bigger one which has hidden powers and fun stuff like that.

O_O that looks awesome! this is a rapidly growin style of graphics/art/layouts. for advice i would say some shadow into the skin.

It looks pretty nic,e but the lines on his hair are jagged. I also agree his eyes look a little funny.