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Customer Reviews
Death Note 13 - Good but not for the shelf.. lol, 25 Sep 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3BMN18U8OQTXN Great, 25 Sep 2008
Great for anybody that likes death note, If you don't have it and like the manga you need to buy it. Ambiguity , 17 Mar 2008
Like many of these encyclopaedias for fictions this contains a lot of completely uninteresting information. However, there are a few really fascinating bits of info - that Ohba regards both L and Light as evil, that neither of the creators liked Near, that Ohba is inspired by the works of artist Jean Jansem. Most interestingly is the fact that both Ohba and Obata emphasised the philosophical ambiguity and the absence of any pretentious, didactic message; for me this is what makes Death Note so fascinating and so open to meandering and entertaining speculation. Death Note 13 also increased my respect for the artwork and the complexity and skill invested into this side of the manga.
The best feature of this bonus instalment was the inclusion of the Death Note pilot. This gives the reader real insight into how the idea developed from an interesting semi-philosophical (meta-ethical) thought experiment into one of the greatest fiction thrillers ever conceived. The flaws in the pilot have been aptly removed from the series, leaving only what makes Death Note the classic manga that it is.
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Customer Reviews
Death Note 13 - Good but not for the shelf.. lol, 25 Sep 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3BMN18U8OQTXN Great, 25 Sep 2008
Great for anybody that likes death note, If you don't have it and like the manga you need to buy it. Ambiguity , 17 Mar 2008
Like many of these encyclopaedias for fictions this contains a lot of completely uninteresting information. However, there are a few really fascinating bits of info - that Ohba regards both L and Light as evil, that neither of the creators liked Near, that Ohba is inspired by the works of artist Jean Jansem. Most interestingly is the fact that both Ohba and Obata emphasised the philosophical ambiguity and the absence of any pretentious, didactic message; for me this is what makes Death Note so fascinating and so open to meandering and entertaining speculation. Death Note 13 also increased my respect for the artwork and the complexity and skill invested into this side of the manga.
The best feature of this bonus instalment was the inclusion of the Death Note pilot. This gives the reader real insight into how the idea developed from an interesting semi-philosophical (meta-ethical) thought experiment into one of the greatest fiction thrillers ever conceived. The flaws in the pilot have been aptly removed from the series, leaving only what makes Death Note the classic manga that it is. Quality!, 05 Jan 2005
The first thing to strike one when opening this book is that the paper is high quality glossy art paper. This enables a very good standard of printing and colour definition which in the case of artwork from Studio Ghibli is useful to say the least. This book complements 'Spirited Away' and reveals the beauty of the work that went into it. It's not a 'making of' or a 'illustrated version' as such but well worth seeing and reading. You'll learn a lot and it's very aesthetically pleasing. Recommeded in the extreme. Now buy everything Studio Ghibli has ever produced... WOWOWOW!!!, 26 Dec 2003
wowowow!!! its like, i'm in a fantasy land, and like, everyones called chihiro, wow! i like the details of how they animated bits, and i like the sketches of the bouncing heads!! "blob blob" infact, this books just the perfect compliment to the film.
Just saying, 23 Nov 2003
the last person said spirited away did not come to england but it did. It just was quite hard to find. They have two versions out. The original japanese. Which is very hard to find now as not many cinemas are showing it (i went to the odeon). and they have the english which against the japanese is totally rubbish. well by the sound of it this book is amazing *buys it*!
Definitely worth collecting..., 19 Oct 2003
Beautiful! You get a real sense that you own something special when you get this. (Very exciting when it gets delivered to you in the big box too, it feels like christmas as a kid, all over again!) Overall worth getting. It’s not gob smacking stunning, but still very very nice. Definitely worth the money if you’re a fan. While the book follows the ethos that it’s just presenting the artwork, it does follow the films plot, in terms of where art is placed in the book… what I mean is, The car ride and the Chihiro getting lost artwork is near the start and goes through into the various scenes in the film, in order. My favourite parts are the Character design pages, and the landscape watercolour like paintings, some of them look frameable for any art gallery. The artist commentary is very interesting too; some inside info on their ideas while making the film included.
An insight into the work of a genius, 24 Feb 2003
This is a great book. Whether you are familiar with the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli or not, the work in this book cannot fail to impress. It leads you from an introduction by Miyazaki's, though his concept art (beautiful watercolour sketches) to the final backgrounds and character work including a script at the back. The layout of the book follow the narrative of the film, with introductions to the characters and locations along the way. A section at the back is devoted to the digital processes used during the making of the film and throughout the book there are short paragraphs from the artists about their experiences and thinking process (e.g, use of colour, architectural influence etc etc). The images in the book are incredible and allow you to study in detail the work and skill of the artists, as a student studying animation I find this book is an invaluable resource. I have bought other "The art of" books on other Miyazaki film, and this book lives up to their high standards (unfortunately the other books are only available from Japan, try Amazon.jp). I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in animation or the work of Miyazaki, good to see a hardback book at this price too. Cant recommend it enough.
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The Art of Drawing Manga
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days *Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £6.94
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Customer Reviews
Death Note 13 - Good but not for the shelf.. lol, 25 Sep 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3BMN18U8OQTXN Great, 25 Sep 2008
Great for anybody that likes death note, If you don't have it and like the manga you need to buy it. Ambiguity , 17 Mar 2008
Like many of these encyclopaedias for fictions this contains a lot of completely uninteresting information. However, there are a few really fascinating bits of info - that Ohba regards both L and Light as evil, that neither of the creators liked Near, that Ohba is inspired by the works of artist Jean Jansem. Most interestingly is the fact that both Ohba and Obata emphasised the philosophical ambiguity and the absence of any pretentious, didactic message; for me this is what makes Death Note so fascinating and so open to meandering and entertaining speculation. Death Note 13 also increased my respect for the artwork and the complexity and skill invested into this side of the manga.
The best feature of this bonus instalment was the inclusion of the Death Note pilot. This gives the reader real insight into how the idea developed from an interesting semi-philosophical (meta-ethical) thought experiment into one of the greatest fiction thrillers ever conceived. The flaws in the pilot have been aptly removed from the series, leaving only what makes Death Note the classic manga that it is. Quality!, 05 Jan 2005
The first thing to strike one when opening this book is that the paper is high quality glossy art paper. This enables a very good standard of printing and colour definition which in the case of artwork from Studio Ghibli is useful to say the least. This book complements 'Spirited Away' and reveals the beauty of the work that went into it. It's not a 'making of' or a 'illustrated version' as such but well worth seeing and reading. You'll learn a lot and it's very aesthetically pleasing. Recommeded in the extreme. Now buy everything Studio Ghibli has ever produced... WOWOWOW!!!, 26 Dec 2003
wowowow!!! its like, i'm in a fantasy land, and like, everyones called chihiro, wow! i like the details of how they animated bits, and i like the sketches of the bouncing heads!! "blob blob" infact, this books just the perfect compliment to the film.
Just saying, 23 Nov 2003
the last person said spirited away did not come to england but it did. It just was quite hard to find. They have two versions out. The original japanese. Which is very hard to find now as not many cinemas are showing it (i went to the odeon). and they have the english which against the japanese is totally rubbish. well by the sound of it this book is amazing *buys it*!
Definitely worth collecting..., 19 Oct 2003
Beautiful! You get a real sense that you own something special when you get this. (Very exciting when it gets delivered to you in the big box too, it feels like christmas as a kid, all over again!) Overall worth getting. It’s not gob smacking stunning, but still very very nice. Definitely worth the money if you’re a fan. While the book follows the ethos that it’s just presenting the artwork, it does follow the films plot, in terms of where art is placed in the book… what I mean is, The car ride and the Chihiro getting lost artwork is near the start and goes through into the various scenes in the film, in order. My favourite parts are the Character design pages, and the landscape watercolour like paintings, some of them look frameable for any art gallery. The artist commentary is very interesting too; some inside info on their ideas while making the film included.
An insight into the work of a genius, 24 Feb 2003
This is a great book. Whether you are familiar with the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli or not, the work in this book cannot fail to impress. It leads you from an introduction by Miyazaki's, though his concept art (beautiful watercolour sketches) to the final backgrounds and character work including a script at the back. The layout of the book follow the narrative of the film, with introductions to the characters and locations along the way. A section at the back is devoted to the digital processes used during the making of the film and throughout the book there are short paragraphs from the artists about their experiences and thinking process (e.g, use of colour, architectural influence etc etc). The images in the book are incredible and allow you to study in detail the work and skill of the artists, as a student studying animation I find this book is an invaluable resource. I have bought other "The art of" books on other Miyazaki film, and this book lives up to their high standards (unfortunately the other books are only available from Japan, try Amazon.jp). I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in animation or the work of Miyazaki, good to see a hardback book at this price too. Cant recommend it enough.
Manga for the novice, 22 Apr 2008
I bought this book fully expecting your usual how-to draw book, that might tell you a lot or show you lots of pictures, but never fully explains how to get to the final drawing. Luckily I was wrong. This is a really good book for beginners, as Ben takes you step-by-step through drawing facial features, body parts, full figures and costume. He has a lively and engaging style which is full of enthusiasm for the medium, and he also includes a section at the back about colouring your designs using Photoshop.
Highly recommended.
Brilliant!, 04 Feb 2008
If you just started manga such as myself you will find this book helpful, you get tutorials of how to do male female faces from side and front how to do bodys, eyes ears nose mouths acesseories such as swords
If you go to a shop it cost you £13.
Get it if your new or not!
Excellent book, 12 Dec 2005
This is the best Manga book I have seen (and I have ten of them). Ben Krefta uses simple step by step instructions to take you through the enitre drawing process. If there is one Manga book to buy to start off with then this is the one.
The Brittish Are Back!, 26 Dec 2004
This is a totally cool book by the one and only Ben Krefta! I loved this. His techniques are smooth, crisp and sofisticated, and the instructions are easy to follow. The worst drawer can become the best by reading this book!
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Draw Your Own Manga: All the Basics
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Haruno NagatomoYuriko TamakiFrancoise White;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days *Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £6.44
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Customer Reviews
Death Note 13 - Good but not for the shelf.. lol, 25 Sep 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3BMN18U8OQTXN Great, 25 Sep 2008
Great for anybody that likes death note, If you don't have it and like the manga you need to buy it. Ambiguity , 17 Mar 2008
Like many of these encyclopaedias for fictions this contains a lot of completely uninteresting information. However, there are a few really fascinating bits of info - that Ohba regards both L and Light as evil, that neither of the creators liked Near, that Ohba is inspired by the works of artist Jean Jansem. Most interestingly is the fact that both Ohba and Obata emphasised the philosophical ambiguity and the absence of any pretentious, didactic message; for me this is what makes Death Note so fascinating and so open to meandering and entertaining speculation. Death Note 13 also increased my respect for the artwork and the complexity and skill invested into this side of the manga.
The best feature of this bonus instalment was the inclusion of the Death Note pilot. This gives the reader real insight into how the idea developed from an interesting semi-philosophical (meta-ethical) thought experiment into one of the greatest fiction thrillers ever conceived. The flaws in the pilot have been aptly removed from the series, leaving only what makes Death Note the classic manga that it is. Quality!, 05 Jan 2005
The first thing to strike one when opening this book is that the paper is high quality glossy art paper. This enables a very good standard of printing and colour definition which in the case of artwork from Studio Ghibli is useful to say the least. This book complements 'Spirited Away' and reveals the beauty of the work that went into it. It's not a 'making of' or a 'illustrated version' as such but well worth seeing and reading. You'll learn a lot and it's very aesthetically pleasing. Recommeded in the extreme. Now buy everything Studio Ghibli has ever produced... WOWOWOW!!!, 26 Dec 2003
wowowow!!! its like, i'm in a fantasy land, and like, everyones called chihiro, wow! i like the details of how they animated bits, and i like the sketches of the bouncing heads!! "blob blob" infact, this books just the perfect compliment to the film.
Just saying, 23 Nov 2003
the last person said spirited away did not come to england but it did. It just was quite hard to find. They have two versions out. The original japanese. Which is very hard to find now as not many cinemas are showing it (i went to the odeon). and they have the english which against the japanese is totally rubbish. well by the sound of it this book is amazing *buys it*!
Definitely worth collecting..., 19 Oct 2003
Beautiful! You get a real sense that you own something special when you get this. (Very exciting when it gets delivered to you in the big box too, it feels like christmas as a kid, all over again!) Overall worth getting. It’s not gob smacking stunning, but still very very nice. Definitely worth the money if you’re a fan. While the book follows the ethos that it’s just presenting the artwork, it does follow the films plot, in terms of where art is placed in the book… what I mean is, The car ride and the Chihiro getting lost artwork is near the start and goes through into the various scenes in the film, in order. My favourite parts are the Character design pages, and the landscape watercolour like paintings, some of them look frameable for any art gallery. The artist commentary is very interesting too; some inside info on their ideas while making the film included.
An insight into the work of a genius, 24 Feb 2003
This is a great book. Whether you are familiar with the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli or not, the work in this book cannot fail to impress. It leads you from an introduction by Miyazaki's, though his concept art (beautiful watercolour sketches) to the final backgrounds and character work including a script at the back. The layout of the book follow the narrative of the film, with introductions to the characters and locations along the way. A section at the back is devoted to the digital processes used during the making of the film and throughout the book there are short paragraphs from the artists about their experiences and thinking process (e.g, use of colour, architectural influence etc etc). The images in the book are incredible and allow you to study in detail the work and skill of the artists, as a student studying animation I find this book is an invaluable resource. I have bought other "The art of" books on other Miyazaki film, and this book lives up to their high standards (unfortunately the other books are only available from Japan, try Amazon.jp). I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in animation or the work of Miyazaki, good to see a hardback book at this price too. Cant recommend it enough.
Manga for the novice, 22 Apr 2008
I bought this book fully expecting your usual how-to draw book, that might tell you a lot or show you lots of pictures, but never fully explains how to get to the final drawing. Luckily I was wrong. This is a really good book for beginners, as Ben takes you step-by-step through drawing facial features, body parts, full figures and costume. He has a lively and engaging style which is full of enthusiasm for the medium, and he also includes a section at the back about colouring your designs using Photoshop.
Highly recommended.
Brilliant!, 04 Feb 2008
If you just started manga such as myself you will find this book helpful, you get tutorials of how to do male female faces from side and front how to do bodys, eyes ears nose mouths acesseories such as swords
If you go to a shop it cost you £13.
Get it if your new or not!
Excellent book, 12 Dec 2005
This is the best Manga book I have seen (and I have ten of them). Ben Krefta uses simple step by step instructions to take you through the enitre drawing process. If there is one Manga book to buy to start off with then this is the one.
The Brittish Are Back!, 26 Dec 2004
This is a totally cool book by the one and only Ben Krefta! I loved this. His techniques are smooth, crisp and sofisticated, and the instructions are easy to follow. The worst drawer can become the best by reading this book!
Good, if you know how to draw, 16 May 2004
This book is highly recommended if you have some previous knowledge of how to draw. It covers all the materials used in drawing manga and how to use then, but all you realy need to begin with is a pencil and paper. The book is clear but could do with some more explantion in carrying out the techniques, like drawing hair, eyes, and proportions. It also includes interviews from two manga artists, which are quite inspiring and tell you what you have to do, to become as great manga artist. If you have some prior knowledge of drawing and want to begin drawing manga then this is the right book for you. If you have no knowledge of drawing it may be best to start with a more general 'how to draw book' or a general cartoon drawing book.
This book is awesome!, 24 Feb 2004
I had been intorested in manga ever since i first started watching the cartoons on TV and wished that i would be able to draw pictures as well as that. When i found this book i was so glad to find a book telling me how to draw my own pictures in the same style. This book has every thing you need to know about manga, it has advice on all the best types of pen/pencils to use, the best kind of paper and ink to use and how to use differnt techniques to get the effect you'r after. I read the book cover to cover and i couldn't put it down, all the hints and tips it gives you are really helpfull with clear pictures showing you the verious steps which are really usefull.I totaly recomend this book to any one who is intorested in lurning to draw manga, it has every thing you need to know to get you started. After reading it all you'll want to do is pick up a pen and start drawing.
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Customer Reviews
Death Note 13 - Good but not for the shelf.. lol, 25 Sep 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3BMN18U8OQTXN Great, 25 Sep 2008
Great for anybody that likes death note, If you don't have it and like the manga you need to buy it. Ambiguity , 17 Mar 2008
Like many of these encyclopaedias for fictions this contains a lot of completely uninteresting information. However, there are a few really fascinating bits of info - that Ohba regards both L and Light as evil, that neither of the creators liked Near, that Ohba is inspired by the works of artist Jean Jansem. Most interestingly is the fact that both Ohba and Obata emphasised the philosophical ambiguity and the absence of any pretentious, didactic message; for me this is what makes Death Note so fascinating and so open to meandering and entertaining speculation. Death Note 13 also increased my respect for the artwork and the complexity and skill invested into this side of the manga.
The best feature of this bonus instalment was the inclusion of the Death Note pilot. This gives the reader real insight into how the idea developed from an interesting semi-philosophical (meta-ethical) thought experiment into one of the greatest fiction thrillers ever conceived. The flaws in the pilot have been aptly removed from the series, leaving only what makes Death Note the classic manga that it is. Quality!, 05 Jan 2005
The first thing to strike one when opening this book is that the paper is high quality glossy art paper. This enables a very good standard of printing and colour definition which in the case of artwork from Studio Ghibli is useful to say the least. This book complements 'Spirited Away' and reveals the beauty of the work that went into it. It's not a 'making of' or a 'illustrated version' as such but well worth seeing and reading. You'll learn a lot and it's very aesthetically pleasing. Recommeded in the extreme. Now buy everything Studio Ghibli has ever produced... WOWOWOW!!!, 26 Dec 2003
wowowow!!! its like, i'm in a fantasy land, and like, everyones called chihiro, wow! i like the details of how they animated bits, and i like the sketches of the bouncing heads!! "blob blob" infact, this books just the perfect compliment to the film.
Just saying, 23 Nov 2003
the last person said spirited away did not come to england but it did. It just was quite hard to find. They have two versions out. The original japanese. Which is very hard to find now as not many cinemas are showing it (i went to the odeon). and they have the english which against the japanese is totally rubbish. well by the sound of it this book is amazing *buys it*!
Definitely worth collecting..., 19 Oct 2003
Beautiful! You get a real sense that you own something special when you get this. (Very exciting when it gets delivered to you in the big box too, it feels like christmas as a kid, all over again!) Overall worth getting. It’s not gob smacking stunning, but still very very nice. Definitely worth the money if you’re a fan. While the book follows the ethos that it’s just presenting the artwork, it does follow the films plot, in terms of where art is placed in the book… what I mean is, The car ride and the Chihiro getting lost artwork is near the start and goes through into the various scenes in the film, in order. My favourite parts are the Character design pages, and the landscape watercolour like paintings, some of them look frameable for any art gallery. The artist commentary is very interesting too; some inside info on their ideas while making the film included.
An insight into the work of a genius, 24 Feb 2003
This is a great book. Whether you are familiar with the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli or not, the work in this book cannot fail to impress. It leads you from an introduction by Miyazaki's, though his concept art (beautiful watercolour sketches) to the final backgrounds and character work including a script at the back. The layout of the book follow the narrative of the film, with introductions to the characters and locations along the way. A section at the back is devoted to the digital processes used during the making of the film and throughout the book there are short paragraphs from the artists about their experiences and thinking process (e.g, use of colour, architectural influence etc etc). The images in the book are incredible and allow you to study in detail the work and skill of the artists, as a student studying animation I find this book is an invaluable resource. I have bought other "The art of" books on other Miyazaki film, and this book lives up to their high standards (unfortunately the other books are only available from Japan, try Amazon.jp). I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in animation or the work of Miyazaki, good to see a hardback book at this price too. Cant recommend it enough.
Manga for the novice, 22 Apr 2008
I bought this book fully expecting your usual how-to draw book, that might tell you a lot or show you lots of pictures, but never fully explains how to get to the final drawing. Luckily I was wrong. This is a really good book for beginners, as Ben takes you step-by-step through drawing facial features, body parts, full figures and costume. He has a lively and engaging style which is full of enthusiasm for the medium, and he also includes a section at the back about colouring your designs using Photoshop.
Highly recommended.
Brilliant!, 04 Feb 2008
If you just started manga such as myself you will find this book helpful, you get tutorials of how to do male female faces from side and front how to do bodys, eyes ears nose mouths acesseories such as swords
If you go to a shop it cost you £13.
Get it if your new or not!
Excellent book, 12 Dec 2005
This is the best Manga book I have seen (and I have ten of them). Ben Krefta uses simple step by step instructions to take you through the enitre drawing process. If there is one Manga book to buy to start off with then this is the one.
The Brittish Are Back!, 26 Dec 2004
This is a totally cool book by the one and only Ben Krefta! I loved this. His techniques are smooth, crisp and sofisticated, and the instructions are easy to follow. The worst drawer can become the best by reading this book!
Good, if you know how to draw, 16 May 2004
This book is highly recommended if you have some previous knowledge of how to draw. It covers all the materials used in drawing manga and how to use then, but all you realy need to begin with is a pencil and paper. The book is clear but could do with some more explantion in carrying out the techniques, like drawing hair, eyes, and proportions. It also includes interviews from two manga artists, which are quite inspiring and tell you what you have to do, to become as great manga artist. If you have some prior knowledge of drawing and want to begin drawing manga then this is the right book for you. If you have no knowledge of drawing it may be best to start with a more general 'how to draw book' or a general cartoon drawing book.
This book is awesome!, 24 Feb 2004
I had been intorested in manga ever since i first started watching the cartoons on TV and wished that i would be able to draw pictures as well as that. When i found this book i was so glad to find a book telling me how to draw my own pictures in the same style. This book has every thing you need to know about manga, it has advice on all the best types of pen/pencils to use, the best kind of paper and ink to use and how to use differnt techniques to get the effect you'r after. I read the book cover to cover and i couldn't put it down, all the hints and tips it gives you are really helpfull with clear pictures showing you the verious steps which are really usefull.I totaly recomend this book to any one who is intorested in lurning to draw manga, it has every thing you need to know to get you started. After reading it all you'll want to do is pick up a pen and start drawing.
A modern classic!, 04 Aug 2008
I have just read this collection by Taiyo Matsumoto (I have not seen the anime based on the series) and i loved every bit of it. His style of drawing is a weird mix of European and Japanese, very much like Atsushi Kaneko (Bambi and her Pink Gun - shamefully only two editions translated into English by digital manga) which has a more organic `wobbly' feel unlike the usual pin-sharp lines of most manga.
If i had to describe his drawing style i would say it is very similar to early Robert Crumb (Fritz the Cat era) and early Moebius (Jean Giraud in a looser- more freestyle mood). At first glance it looks simple and almost child-like, but the more you look the more detail and background character there is. I especially love the way he plays with perspective.
I really loved the characters of Black and White and wanted more of them after the 600+ pages were finished. The city in the story is masterfully portrayed and adds a wonderful sense of mood to the piece. Like the artwork the story is a mix of dark, violent and cute! On the strength of this book i will be checking out the animated version. A+
Black and White in black-and-white, 21 Jan 2008
Taiyo Matsumoto's wonderful underground manga is a much darker prospect than its flowing, full-colour movie adaptation by Michael Arias. Matsumoto keeps his vision of Treasure Town closer to the perspective its guardians Black and White, two young boys collectively known as The Cats who protect their district from rival gangs that threaten destroy its character in their competition for influence there. Matsumoto's artwork appears unconventional and almost hallucinatory in places, but the development of the story, the whole pace and perspective, is a familiar one in Japanese manga. Black and White obviously represent the yin and yang, the delicate ecological and psychological balance that is under threat from the ways of the modern world. Once that relationship is altered, events rapidly escalate and inevitably there are violent consequences. This all-in-one phone-book size edition, released to coincide with the release of the film adaptation on DVD, is beautiful, providing a wonderful opportunity to read one of the best manga books in recent years in its entirety.
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Customer Reviews
Death Note 13 - Good but not for the shelf.. lol, 25 Sep 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3BMN18U8OQTXN Great, 25 Sep 2008
Great for anybody that likes death note, If you don't have it and like the manga you need to buy it. Ambiguity , 17 Mar 2008
Like many of these encyclopaedias for fictions this contains a lot of completely uninteresting information. However, there are a few really fascinating bits of info - that Ohba regards both L and Light as evil, that neither of the creators liked Near, that Ohba is inspired by the works of artist Jean Jansem. Most interestingly is the fact that both Ohba and Obata emphasised the philosophical ambiguity and the absence of any pretentious, didactic message; for me this is what makes Death Note so fascinating and so open to meandering and entertaining speculation. Death Note 13 also increased my respect for the artwork and the complexity and skill invested into this side of the manga.
The best feature of this bonus instalment was the inclusion of the Death Note pilot. This gives the reader real insight into how the idea developed from an interesting semi-philosophical (meta-ethical) thought experiment into one of the greatest fiction thrillers ever conceived. The flaws in the pilot have been aptly removed from the series, leaving only what makes Death Note the classic manga that it is. Quality!, 05 Jan 2005
The first thing to strike one when opening this book is that the paper is high quality glossy art paper. This enables a very good standard of printing and colour definition which in the case of artwork from Studio Ghibli is useful to say the least. This book complements 'Spirited Away' and reveals the beauty of the work that went into it. It's not a 'making of' or a 'illustrated version' as such but well worth seeing and reading. You'll learn a lot and it's very aesthetically pleasing. Recommeded in the extreme. Now buy everything Studio Ghibli has ever produced... WOWOWOW!!!, 26 Dec 2003
wowowow!!! its like, i'm in a fantasy land, and like, everyones called chihiro, wow! i like the details of how they animated bits, and i like the sketches of the bouncing heads!! "blob blob" infact, this books just the perfect compliment to the film.
Just saying, 23 Nov 2003
the last person said spirited away did not come to england but it did. It just was quite hard to find. They have two versions out. The original japanese. Which is very hard to find now as not many cinemas are showing it (i went to the odeon). and they have the english which against the japanese is totally rubbish. well by the sound of it this book is amazing *buys it*!
Definitely worth collecting..., 19 Oct 2003
Beautiful! You get a real sense that you own something special when you get this. (Very exciting when it gets delivered to you in the big box too, it feels like christmas as a kid, all over again!) Overall worth getting. It’s not gob smacking stunning, but still very very nice. Definitely worth the money if you’re a fan. While the book follows the ethos that it’s just presenting the artwork, it does follow the films plot, in terms of where art is placed in the book… what I mean is, The car ride and the Chihiro getting lost artwork is near the start and goes through into the various scenes in the film, in order. My favourite parts are the Character design pages, and the landscape watercolour like paintings, some of them look frameable for any art gallery. The artist commentary is very interesting too; some inside info on their ideas while making the film included.
An insight into the work of a genius, 24 Feb 2003
This is a great book. Whether you are familiar with the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli or not, the work in this book cannot fail to impress. It leads you from an introduction by Miyazaki's, though his concept art (beautiful watercolour sketches) to the final backgrounds and character work including a script at the back. The layout of the book follow the narrative of the film, with introductions to the characters and locations along the way. A section at the back is devoted to the digital processes used during the making of the film and throughout the book there are short paragraphs from the artists about their experiences and thinking process (e.g, use of colour, architectural influence etc etc). The images in the book are incredible and allow you to study in detail the work and skill of the artists, as a student studying animation I find this book is an invaluable resource. I have bought other "The art of" books on other Miyazaki film, and this book lives up to their high standards (unfortunately the other books are only available from Japan, try Amazon.jp). I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in animation or the work of Miyazaki, good to see a hardback book at this price too. Cant recommend it enough.
Manga for the novice, 22 Apr 2008
I bought this book fully expecting your usual how-to draw book, that might tell you a lot or show you lots of pictures, but never fully explains how to get to the final drawing. Luckily I was wrong. This is a really good book for beginners, as Ben takes you step-by-step through drawing facial features, body parts, full figures and costume. He has a lively and engaging style which is full of enthusiasm for the medium, and he also includes a section at the back about colouring your designs using Photoshop.
Highly recommended.
Brilliant!, 04 Feb 2008
If you just started manga such as myself you will find this book helpful, you get tutorials of how to do male female faces from side and front how to do bodys, eyes ears nose mouths acesseories such as swords
If you go to a shop it cost you £13.
Get it if your new or not!
Excellent book, 12 Dec 2005
This is the best Manga book I have seen (and I have ten of them). Ben Krefta uses simple step by step instructions to take you through the enitre drawing process. If there is one Manga book to buy to start off with then this is the one.
The Brittish Are Back!, 26 Dec 2004
This is a totally cool book by the one and only Ben Krefta! I loved this. His techniques are smooth, crisp and sofisticated, and the instructions are easy to follow. The worst drawer can become the best by reading this book!
Good, if you know how to draw, 16 May 2004
This book is highly recommended if you have some previous knowledge of how to draw. It covers all the materials used in drawing manga and how to use then, but all you realy need to begin with is a pencil and paper. The book is clear but could do with some more explantion in carrying out the techniques, like drawing hair, eyes, and proportions. It also includes interviews from two manga artists, which are quite inspiring and tell you what you have to do, to become as great manga artist. If you have some prior knowledge of drawing and want to begin drawing manga then this is the right book for you. If you have no knowledge of drawing it may be best to start with a more general 'how to draw book' or a general cartoon drawing book.
This book is awesome!, 24 Feb 2004
I had been intorested in manga ever since i first started watching the cartoons on TV and wished that i would be able to draw pictures as well as that. When i found this book i was so glad to find a book telling me how to draw my own pictures in the same style. This book has every thing you need to know about manga, it has advice on all the best types of pen/pencils to use, the best kind of paper and ink to use and how to use differnt techniques to get the effect you'r after. I read the book cover to cover and i couldn't put it down, all the hints and tips it gives you are really helpfull with clear pictures showing you the verious steps which are really usefull.I totaly recomend this book to any one who is intorested in lurning to draw manga, it has every thing you need to know to get you started. After reading it all you'll want to do is pick up a pen and start drawing.
A modern classic!, 04 Aug 2008
I have just read this collection by Taiyo Matsumoto (I have not seen the anime based on the series) and i loved every bit of it. His style of drawing is a weird mix of European and Japanese, very much like Atsushi Kaneko (Bambi and her Pink Gun - shamefully only two editions translated into English by digital manga) which has a more organic `wobbly' feel unlike the usual pin-sharp lines of most manga.
If i had to describe his drawing style i would say it is very similar to early Robert Crumb (Fritz the Cat era) and early Moebius (Jean Giraud in a looser- more freestyle mood). At first glance it looks simple and almost child-like, but the more you look the more detail and background character there is. I especially love the way he plays with perspective.
I really loved the characters of Black and White and wanted more of them after the 600+ pages were finished. The city in the story is masterfully portrayed and adds a wonderful sense of mood to the piece. Like the artwork the story is a mix of dark, violent and cute! On the strength of this book i will be checking out the animated version. A+
Black and White in black-and-white, 21 Jan 2008
Taiyo Matsumoto's wonderful underground manga is a much darker prospect than its flowing, full-colour movie adaptation by Michael Arias. Matsumoto keeps his vision of Treasure Town closer to the perspective its guardians Black and White, two young boys collectively known as The Cats who protect their district from rival gangs that threaten destroy its character in their competition for influence there. Matsumoto's artwork appears unconventional and almost hallucinatory in places, but the development of the story, the whole pace and perspective, is a familiar one in Japanese manga. Black and White obviously represent the yin and yang, the delicate ecological and psychological balance that is under threat from the ways of the modern world. Once that relationship is altered, events rapidly escalate and inevitably there are violent consequences. This all-in-one phone-book size edition, released to coincide with the release of the film adaptation on DVD, is beautiful, providing a wonderful opportunity to read one of the best manga books in recent years in its entirety.
Educating read, 08 Dec 2004
Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics is a must. Every page is domintated by useful information and the layout throughout is highly atttractive. It covers every subject in manga, including sci-fi, shounen-ai, kodomo, and hentai. However, if you are just a fan of simple shoujo manga, full of cuddly cute characters and happy scenes, this book is probably not for you. It includes pictures of horror manga, and it is a little strong on the hentai side. But, the pictures themselves make this book worth purchasing as in contains some rare manga strips. So even though it may hold content that some readers' may not find to their taste, there's enough information in here for any manga fan. A must buy.
Manga Mania Made Sense, 20 Oct 2004
It's been six long years since Frederik L Schodt updated his seminal 1983 study, Manga! Manga! World of Japanese Comics. Since then manga's unstoppable rampage across the West has become inescapable. So it's appropriate that someone took stock of this comic 'sub-genre' and updated and re-examined what has become the world's most prevalent comic art form. Paul Gravett manages not only to cover the history of manga, but in doing so explores the social and cultural evolution of Japan from its post-war reinvention to its modem-day literary imperialism. Gravett's book excels not only in discussing such, but also by displaying hundreds of examples of artwork in glorious detail. Everything is here from the crassly commercial Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh! to the grotesque Grand Guignol artwork of Hideshi Hino. It even made this jaded cynic get excited about Nipponese comics once more. No mean feat. Authoritatively written and exquisitely designed, this book demands space on your shelf.
Great buy for all manga fans, 25 Sep 2004
Another great big book all about manga! Covering 60 years of japanimation, it contains articles and pictures detailing the themes, emotions and characters of manga, plus its affect on the Western world. This is a must-have for die-hard fans everywhere!
Casual Manga Fan: Beware!, 06 Sep 2004
This book is an depth look at the history of Manga, and it's key movers and shakers of the last 60 years (No surprises there then). And that is exacally how it reads, like a history book. The text is informative, but mostly uninteresting. This might not be a problem if your a student with a deep interest in all things manga (Like myself), but if your anything less than a totally dedicated nutcase you'll probably find yourself skipping large chunks of text. The book is not completely without charm though, it contains large amounts of actual Manga at the end of each section. Every page has pictures of covers of manga from pretty much every major character out there. (Manga pages are mostly English format, but some are in japanese, or even in french!) If your looking for a good source of manga history this is the book for you, but don't expect the text to be as witty or creative as it's subject matter.
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Customer Reviews
Death Note 13 - Good but not for the shelf.. lol, 25 Sep 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3BMN18U8OQTXN Great, 25 Sep 2008
Great for anybody that likes death note, If you don't have it and like the manga you need to buy it. Ambiguity , 17 Mar 2008
Like many of these encyclopaedias for fictions this contains a lot of completely uninteresting information. However, there are a few really fascinating bits of info - that Ohba regards both L and Light as evil, that neither of the creators liked Near, that Ohba is inspired by the works of artist Jean Jansem. Most interestingly is the fact that both Ohba and Obata emphasised the philosophical ambiguity and the absence of any pretentious, didactic message; for me this is what makes Death Note so fascinating and so open to meandering and entertaining speculation. Death Note 13 also increased my respect for the artwork and the complexity and skill invested into this side of the manga.
The best feature of this bonus instalment was the inclusion of the Death Note pilot. This gives the reader real insight into how the idea developed from an interesting semi-philosophical (meta-ethical) thought experiment into one of the greatest fiction thrillers ever conceived. The flaws in the pilot have been aptly removed from the series, leaving only what makes Death Note the classic manga that it is. Quality!, 05 Jan 2005
The first thing to strike one when opening this book is that the paper is high quality glossy art paper. This enables a very good standard of printing and colour definition which in the case of artwork from Studio Ghibli is useful to say the least. This book complements 'Spirited Away' and reveals the beauty of the work that went into it. It's not a 'making of' or a 'illustrated version' as such but well worth seeing and reading. You'll learn a lot and it's very aesthetically pleasing. Recommeded in the extreme. Now buy everything Studio Ghibli has ever produced... WOWOWOW!!!, 26 Dec 2003
wowowow!!! its like, i'm in a fantasy land, and like, everyones called chihiro, wow! i like the details of how they animated bits, and i like the sketches of the bouncing heads!! "blob blob" infact, this books just the perfect compliment to the film.
Just saying, 23 Nov 2003
the last person said spirited away did not come to england but it did. It just was quite hard to find. They have two versions out. The original japanese. Which is very hard to find now as not many cinemas are showing it (i went to the odeon). and they have the english which against the japanese is totally rubbish. well by the sound of it this book is amazing *buys it*!
Definitely worth collecting..., 19 Oct 2003
Beautiful! You get a real sense that you own something special when you get this. (Very exciting when it gets delivered to you in the big box too, it feels like christmas as a kid, all over again!) Overall worth getting. It’s not gob smacking stunning, but still very very nice. Definitely worth the money if you’re a fan. While the book follows the ethos that it’s just presenting the artwork, it does follow the films plot, in terms of where art is placed in the book… what I mean is, The car ride and the Chihiro getting lost artwork is near the start and goes through into the various scenes in the film, in order. My favourite parts are the Character design pages, and the landscape watercolour like paintings, some of them look frameable for any art gallery. The artist commentary is very interesting too; some inside info on their ideas while making the film included.
An insight into the work of a genius, 24 Feb 2003
This is a great book. Whether you are familiar with the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli or not, the work in this book cannot fail to impress. It leads you from an introduction by Miyazaki's, though his concept art (beautiful watercolour sketches) to the final backgrounds and character work including a script at the back. The layout of the book follow the narrative of the film, with introductions to the characters and locations along the way. A section at the back is devoted to the digital processes used during the making of the film and throughout the book there are short paragraphs from the artists about their experiences and thinking process (e.g, use of colour, architectural influence etc etc). The images in the book are incredible and allow you to study in detail the work and skill of the artists, as a student studying animation I find this book is an invaluable resource. I have bought other "The art of" books on other Miyazaki film, and this book lives up to their high standards (unfortunately the other books are only available from Japan, try Amazon.jp). I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in animation or the work of Miyazaki, good to see a hardback book at this price too. Cant recommend it enough.
Manga for the novice, 22 Apr 2008
I bought this book fully expecting your usual how-to draw book, that might tell you a lot or show you lots of pictures, but never fully explains how to get to the final drawing. Luckily I was wrong. This is a really good book for beginners, as Ben takes you step-by-step through drawing facial features, body parts, full figures and costume. He has a lively and engaging style which is full of enthusiasm for the medium, and he also includes a section at the back about colouring your designs using Photoshop.
Highly recommended.
Brilliant!, 04 Feb 2008
If you just started manga such as myself you will find this book helpful, you get tutorials of how to do male female faces from side and front how to do bodys, eyes ears nose mouths acesseories such as swords
If you go to a shop it cost you £13.
Get it if your new or not!
Excellent book, 12 Dec 2005
This is the best Manga book I have seen (and I have ten of them). Ben Krefta uses simple step by step instructions to take you through the enitre drawing process. If there is one Manga book to buy to start off with then this is the one.
The Brittish Are Back!, 26 Dec 2004
This is a totally cool book by the one and only Ben Krefta! I loved this. His techniques are smooth, crisp and sofisticated, and the instructions are easy to follow. The worst drawer can become the best by reading this book!
Good, if you know how to draw, 16 May 2004
This book is highly recommended if you have some previous knowledge of how to draw. It covers all the materials used in drawing manga and how to use then, but all you realy need to begin with is a pencil and paper. The book is clear but could do with some more explantion in carrying out the techniques, like drawing hair, eyes, and proportions. It also includes interviews from two manga artists, which are quite inspiring and tell you what you have to do, to become as great manga artist. If you have some prior knowledge of drawing and want to begin drawing manga then this is the right book for you. If you have no knowledge of drawing it may be best to start with a more general 'how to draw book' or a general cartoon drawing book.
This book is awesome!, 24 Feb 2004
I had been intorested in manga ever since i first started watching the cartoons on TV and wished that i would be able to draw pictures as well as that. When i found this book i was so glad to find a book telling me how to draw my own pictures in the same style. This book has every thing you need to know about manga, it has advice on all the best types of pen/pencils to use, the best kind of paper and ink to use and how to use differnt techniques to get the effect you'r after. I read the book cover to cover and i couldn't put it down, all the hints and tips it gives you are really helpfull with clear pictures showing you the verious steps which are really usefull.I totaly recomend this book to any one who is intorested in lurning to draw manga, it has every thing you need to know to get you started. After reading it all you'll want to do is pick up a pen and start drawing.
A modern classic!, 04 Aug 2008
I have just read this collection by Taiyo Matsumoto (I have not seen the anime based on the series) and i loved every bit of it. His style of drawing is a weird mix of European and Japanese, very much like Atsushi Kaneko (Bambi and her Pink Gun - shamefully only two editions translated into English by digital manga) which has a more organic `wobbly' feel unlike the usual pin-sharp lines of most manga.
If i had to describe his drawing style i would say it is very similar to early Robert Crumb (Fritz the Cat era) and early Moebius (Jean Giraud in a looser- more freestyle mood). At first glance it looks simple and almost child-like, but the more you look the more detail and background character there is. I especially love the way he plays with perspective.
I really loved the characters of Black and White and wanted more of them after the 600+ pages were finished. The city in the story is masterfully portrayed and adds a wonderful sense of mood to the piece. Like the artwork the story is a mix of dark, violent and cute! On the strength of this book i will be checking out the animated version. A+
Black and White in black-and-white, 21 Jan 2008
Taiyo Matsumoto's wonderful underground manga is a much darker prospect than its flowing, full-colour movie adaptation by Michael Arias. Matsumoto keeps his vision of Treasure Town closer to the perspective its guardians Black and White, two young boys collectively known as The Cats who protect their district from rival gangs that threaten destroy its character in their competition for influence there. Matsumoto's artwork appears unconventional and almost hallucinatory in places, but the development of the story, the whole pace and perspective, is a familiar one in Japanese manga. Black and White obviously represent the yin and yang, the delicate ecological and psychological balance that is under threat from the ways of the modern world. Once that relationship is altered, events rapidly escalate and inevitably there are violent consequences. This all-in-one phone-book size edition, released to coincide with the release of the film adaptation on DVD, is beautiful, providing a wonderful opportunity to read one of the best manga books in recent years in its entirety.
Educating read, 08 Dec 2004
Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics is a must. Every page is domintated by useful information and the layout throughout is highly atttractive. It covers every subject in manga, including sci-fi, shounen-ai, kodomo, and hentai. However, if you are just a fan of simple shoujo manga, full of cuddly cute characters and happy scenes, this book is probably not for you. It includes pictures of horror manga, and it is a little strong on the hentai side. But, the pictures themselves make this book worth purchasing as in contains some rare manga strips. So even though it may hold content that some readers' may not find to their taste, there's enough information in here for any manga fan. A must buy.
Manga Mania Made Sense, 20 Oct 2004
It's been six long years since Frederik L Schodt updated his seminal 1983 study, Manga! Manga! World of Japanese Comics. Since then manga's unstoppable rampage across the West has become inescapable. So it's appropriate that someone took stock of this comic 'sub-genre' and updated and re-examined what has become the world's most prevalent comic art form. Paul Gravett manages not only to cover the history of manga, but in doing so explores the social and cultural evolution of Japan from its post-war reinvention to its modem-day literary imperialism. Gravett's book excels not only in discussing such, but also by displaying hundreds of examples of artwork in glorious detail. Everything is here from the crassly commercial Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh! to the grotesque Grand Guignol artwork of Hideshi Hino. It even made this jaded cynic get excited about Nipponese comics once more. No mean feat. Authoritatively written and exquisitely designed, this book demands space on your shelf.
Great buy for all manga fans, 25 Sep 2004
Another great big book all about manga! Covering 60 years of japanimation, it contains articles and pictures detailing the themes, emotions and characters of manga, plus its affect on the Western world. This is a must-have for die-hard fans everywhere!
Casual Manga Fan: Beware!, 06 Sep 2004
This book is an depth look at the history of Manga, and it's key movers and shakers of the last 60 years (No surprises there then). And that is exacally how it reads, like a history book. The text is informative, but mostly uninteresting. This might not be a problem if your a student with a deep interest in all things manga (Like myself), but if your anything less than a totally dedicated nutcase you'll probably find yourself skipping large chunks of text. The book is not completely without charm though, it contains large amounts of actual Manga at the end of each section. Every page has pictures of covers of manga from pretty much every major character out there. (Manga pages are mostly English format, but some are in japanese, or even in french!) If your looking for a good source of manga history this is the book for you, but don't expect the text to be as witty or creative as it's subject matter.
For learning Kanji, Not learning Japanese, 17 Oct 2007
This book contains the 80 kanji required for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 4 (the lowest.) It is NOT meant to teach Japanese. The manga are there to help you understand the use of each Kanji in NORMAL usage.
Only get these books when you have completed a beginners level course. The kana are meant to run continuously, as that's how the Japanese use them (they rarely break kana into separate words and have little punctuation.) Each book is self-contained and covers the kanji required for each level of the JLPT (IE, vol 1 covers level 4, Vol 2 adds the next 80 required for level 3, etc..). The tests comprise a series of multiple choice questions. Each question requires either a knowledge of particles or kana to kanji transcription (or the reverse). There is NO romanji (what I'm using here), just Kana and Kanji.
If you're thinking of seeking employment in japan, you really need JLPT level 3 or higher, as these qualifications are actually recognised (and run) by the Japanese themselves.
If you just want to translate kanji, then buy a kanji dictionary (Kodansha do several). If you want to pass the JLPT then buy these (AND a dictionary^_^)
PXB^_^
Not for learning kanji at all!, 25 Apr 2007
The premise of this book is slightly absurd. Each little "manga" (a two or three frame manga purposefully written for the book, and mostly not at all funny) introduces a different kanji. This book has the 80 basic kanji used for JLPT4. All the rest of the manga is in kana, and there is a loose English translation at the bottom. I say "loose" because the Japanese is not translated literally, but in terms of the feel of the words.
The problem is, this kind of manga Japanese is not textbook Japanese. It is not the kind of Japanese you will learn in an elementary Japanese course and it is not the kind of Japanese you will need for JLPT4. Much of it is pretty advanced. This is probably the typical manga language -- plain form, full of idioms, contractions, informal language and confusing sentence endings. In other words, reading the manga is all but impossible for a beginner who might only know the -masu forms.
Here's an example sentence: "harahachibunmetteiushi,yameteokou!" Translation: "They say a stomach that is only 80% full is best, so I guess I better stop!" All in hiragana, of course, except for the kanji for "hachi" (8), which this sentence is supposed to illustrate.
It would probably be easier if each manga actually used some kanji as well as the solitary key word, but it doesn't, and the splurge of kana (no word spaces, as the above example shows) is difficult to decipher.
So for the beginner, this is not a great deal of use, except it might feasibly help you to grasp the kanji if you use it on top of all your other forms of learning -- flash cards, writing exercises, etc. If you're a beginner, I would suggest avoiding this book, or buying one of the other Japanese-through-manga books that attempts to explain the grammar and vocabulary of the text used, which this one does not. There are plenty to choose from.
But if you're an intermediate learner, this book might be a really good way to ease yourself into the bizarre and confusing world of manga Japanese -- though you'll curse the lack of kanji. Maybe later editions in the series build up on the kanji you're supposed to have learned in this volume, which would make them much more useful. (I don't know, and I doubt it.) So you might want to start with volume 3 or 4 or higher, and see what you think.
Incidentally, these are small-sized books, pocket-sized in fact, and about a third of the contents consist of empty grids for you to write in, so the bargain-looking prices are about right for what you get.
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The Manga Cookbook
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The Manga University Culinary Institute;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days *Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £3.98
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Customer Reviews
Death Note 13 - Good but not for the shelf.. lol, 25 Sep 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3BMN18U8OQTXN Great, 25 Sep 2008
Great for anybody that likes death note, If you don't have it and like the manga you need to buy it. Ambiguity , 17 Mar 2008
Like many of these encyclopaedias for fictions this contains a lot of completely uninteresting information. However, there are a few really fascinating bits of info - that Ohba regards both L and Light as evil, that neither of the creators liked Near, that Ohba is inspired by the works of artist Jean Jansem. Most interestingly is the fact that both Ohba and Obata emphasised the philosophical ambiguity and the absence of any pretentious, didactic message; for me this is what makes Death Note so fascinating and so open to meandering and entertaining speculation. Death Note 13 also increased my respect for the artwork and the complexity and skill invested into this side of the manga.
The best feature of this bonus instalment was the inclusion of the Death Note pilot. This gives the reader real insight into how the idea developed from an interesting semi-philosophical (meta-ethical) thought experiment into one of the greatest fiction thrillers ever conceived. The flaws in the pilot have been aptly removed from the series, leaving only what makes Death Note the classic manga that it is. Quality!, 05 Jan 2005
The first thing to strike one when opening this book is that the paper is high quality glossy art paper. This enables a very good standard of printing and colour definition which in the case of artwork from Studio Ghibli is useful to say the least. This book complements 'Spirited Away' and reveals the beauty of the work that went into it. It's not a 'making of' or a 'illustrated version' as such but well worth seeing and reading. You'll learn a lot and it's very aesthetically pleasing. Recommeded in the extreme. Now buy everything Studio Ghibli has ever produced... WOWOWOW!!!, 26 Dec 2003
wowowow!!! its like, i'm in a fantasy land, and like, everyones called chihiro, wow! i like the details of how they animated bits, and i like the sketches of the bouncing heads!! "blob blob" infact, this books just the perfect compliment to the film.
Just saying, 23 Nov 2003
the last person said spirited away did not come to england but it did. It just was quite hard to find. They have two versions out. The original japanese. Which is very hard to find now as not many cinemas are showing it (i went to the odeon). and they have the english which against the japanese is totally rubbish. well by the sound of it this book is amazing *buys it*!
Definitely worth collecting..., 19 Oct 2003
Beautiful! You get a real sense that you own something special when you get this. (Very exciting when it gets delivered to you in the big box too, it feels like christmas as a kid, all over again!) Overall worth getting. It’s not gob smacking stunning, but still very very nice. Definitely worth the money if you’re a fan. While the book follows the ethos that it’s just presenting the artwork, it does follow the films plot, in terms of where art is placed in the book… what I mean is, The car ride and the Chihiro getting lost artwork is near the start and goes through into the various scenes in the film, in order. My favourite parts are the Character design pages, and the landscape watercolour like paintings, some of them look frameable for any art gallery. The artist commentary is very interesting too; some inside info on their ideas while making the film included.
An insight into the work of a genius, 24 Feb 2003
This is a great book. Whether you are familiar with the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli or not, the work in this book cannot fail to impress. It leads you from an introduction by Miyazaki's, though his concept art (beautiful watercolour sketches) to the final backgrounds and character work including a script at the back. The layout of the book follow the narrative of the film, with introductions to the characters and locations along the way. A section at the back is devoted to the digital processes used during the making of the film and throughout the book there are short paragraphs from the artists about their experiences and thinking process (e.g, use of colour, architectural influence etc etc). The images in the book are incredible and allow you to study in detail the work and skill of the artists, as a student studying animation I find this book is an invaluable resource. I have bought other "The art of" books on other Miyazaki film, and this book lives up to their high standards (unfortunately the other books are only available from Japan, try Amazon.jp). I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in animation or the work of Miyazaki, good to see a hardback book at this price too. Cant recommend it enough.
Manga for the novice, 22 Apr 2008
I bought this book fully expecting your usual how-to draw book, that might tell you a lot or show you lots of pictures, but never fully explains how to get to the final drawing. Luckily I was wrong. This is a really good book for beginners, as Ben takes you step-by-step through drawing facial features, body parts, full figures and costume. He has a lively and engaging style which is full of enthusiasm for the medium, and he also includes a section at the back about colouring your designs using Photoshop.
Highly recommended.
Brilliant!, 04 Feb 2008
If you just started manga such as myself you will find this book helpful, you get tutorials of how to do male female faces from side and front how to do bodys, eyes ears nose mouths acesseories such as swords
If you go to a shop it cost you £13.
Get it if your new or not!
Excellent book, 12 Dec 2005
This is the best Manga book I have seen (and I have ten of them). Ben Krefta uses simple step by step instructions to take you through the enitre drawing process. If there is one Manga book to buy to start off with then this is the one.
The Brittish Are Back!, 26 Dec 2004
This is a totally cool book by the one and only Ben Krefta! I loved this. His techniques are smooth, crisp and sofisticated, and the instructions are easy to follow. The worst drawer can become the best by reading this book!
Good, if you know how to draw, 16 May 2004
This book is highly recommended if you have some previous knowledge of how to draw. It covers all the materials used in drawing manga and how to use then, but all you realy need to begin with is a pencil and paper. The book is clear but could do with some more explantion in carrying out the techniques, like drawing hair, eyes, and proportions. It also includes interviews from two manga artists, which are quite inspiring and tell you what you have to do, to become as great manga artist. If you have some prior knowledge of drawing and want to begin drawing manga then this is the right book for you. If you have no knowledge of drawing it may be best to start with a more general 'how to draw book' or a general cartoon drawing book.
This book is awesome!, 24 Feb 2004
I had been intorested in manga ever since i first started watching the cartoons on TV and wished that i would be able to draw pictures as well as that. When i found this book i was so glad to find a book telling me how to draw my own pictures in the same style. This book has every thing you need to know about manga, it has advice on all the best types of pen/pencils to use, the best kind of paper and ink to use and how to use differnt techniques to get the effect you'r after. I read the book cover to cover and i couldn't put it down, all the hints and tips it gives you are really helpfull with clear pictures showing you the verious steps which are really usefull.I totaly recomend this book to any one who is intorested in lurning to draw manga, it has every thing you need to know to get you started. After reading it all you'll want to do is pick up a pen and start drawing.
A modern classic!, 04 Aug 2008
I have just read this collection by Taiyo Matsumoto (I have not seen the anime based on the series) and i loved every bit of it. His style of drawing is a weird mix of European and Japane | | |