Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

Posted By yonghow on December 26th, 2019

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

From May 2017 to August 2019, 4 different sets of giant murals featuring the art work from Otomo Katsuhiro’s groundbreaking manga Akira were displayed outside the construction walls of Parco Shibuya as it underwent renovation. 2019 is a year of special significance as it is the year where the events of Akira takes place.

I visited the location a couple of times since 2017 and the photographs I took can be seen here, here and here.

To commemorate the completion of the newly renovated Parco Shibuya shopping mall, a special exhibition Akira Art Of Wall was held at 2 galleries located in the building, as well as the release of this special art book.

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

The book set comes delivered in a shipping cardboard case (above), and the books themselves are housed in another thick cardboard slipcase as seen below. The whole package was quite a bit heavier than I expected, which is a nice surprise.

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

(above) Design on the back of the cardboard slipcase. (below) The 4 volumes as housed in the case.

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

The contents of the box – 4 hardcover volumes and one A2 foldout sized poster.

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

(above) The A2 size poster. This was the first mural that was put up on the construction wall of Parco Shibuya back in 2017.

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the books collect artwork from the 3 different sets of murals that were on display at Parco Shibuya from 2017 to 2019.

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

(above) The full spread of the pages ( front and back ) come up to a whopping 9 metres in length for Vol 1 ( 7 metres for vol 2 & 3 ). There are art work printed on both sides of the paper.

(below) My room isn’t nearly big enough to take a picture of all the art work fully spread out, so these are truncated views. If one is big enough of an Akira/Otomo fan, they can purchase two copies of this art book ( since the pages are double-sided ) and them assemble all of them to reproduce a sprawling wall of Akira art.

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

Vol 4 is the “making of” book, and includes interviews ( in Japanese only ) with Katsuhiro Otomo and Kawamura Kosuke.

Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review
Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review

This Akira Art of wall book set is a spectacular, larger than life collection of some of the most iconic images from Katsuhiro Otomo’s groundbreaking manga. The print quality of the images are exceptionally crisp, sharp and full of contrast, and the paper stock used is thick, which explains why the whole package is pretty heavy.

This would make for a most excellent gift any day for any manga fan, especially if one enjoys Akira. The price is not cheap, but in my opinion a fair price to pay for a high quality collector’s item. If you’re keen on obtaining a copy, I suggest purchasing one before it goes out of print. My highest recommendations.

“Akira Art Of Wall” art book details :

Dimensions – 30 x 18 x 5 cm
Full color, In Japanese & English

Akira Art Of Wall art book Amazon Japan Buy Link
Buy From Amazon.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Amazon DE | Amazon ES

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3 Responses to “Akira Art Of Wall Art Book Review”

DISTRAKT

This melts me!

anonymouse007

I saw this at kinokuniya KL, it cost at rm 620, it is so expensive here.

yonghow

anonymouse007 – Yes, it can be expected that bookstores outside of Japan will charge a premium for the book to get a profit. It’s cheaper to just order from Amazon Japan if you want a copy ! – http://halcyonrealms.com/books/how-to-order-from-amazon-japan-a-detailed-buying-guide/

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