I'd say it's pretty ok on this case. Would it make any difference if he planned where to place the pixels to get the same desired effect?

Then again, I have no say whatsoever in the matter :)

placing pixels randomly yourself is oekaki, not pixelart.  The flames seem to be the only problem, so you can touch those up, which might take much longer than you care to spend on a revision, or just not worry about it because you've got plenty of other work that plays by site rules.  It's up to you.
I'm not trying to persecute you or anything, just informing you of our stance and what we allow into the gallery.

It's no different from placing pixels randomly yourself, the only difference is that it saves time if you use it correctly. But I'm not going to question it so if I have to take it down I will |:

It's just the rule here, elitism has nothing to do with it.  It's all about complete control at the pixel level, which certain tools such as the spray can do not achieve, as they place pixels for you.  Really, I've heard enough of the "elitist nazi yadayada" bs this week, these are the rules of the site that appear every time you go to submit a piece.

I don't really see the problem in using something that a program comes with :/ unless people here are elitist about their ms paint tools or some shit

Hmmmm, not so sure on the spray can business.  Since it places pixels automatically it's typically frowned upon

Combo of the 4-pixel square tool, eraser+right click function and usage of the spray can to get the pixeled effect on the ends of some of the explosion colors.

How was the fire in the background made?