I’ve always liked illustrator/concept artist/character designer Range Murata’s work ( with the notable exception of his overtly Lolita stuff ) so this book wasn’t hard to pick up at all. It’s a really comprehensive collection of the character design sheets for Gonzo’s hit anime series Last Exile.
Although the original character designs were done by Murata-san, most of the design sheets are credited to Horiuchi Osamu, an animator/character designer from Gonzo. My guess is that the art pieces found in the book are redrawn from Murata’s original designs for animation purposes – but please anyone correct me if I’m wrong.
(above) Great references for studying posing and costume designs as well.
(above) A suit that bears almost too much of a resemblance to the one in Blue Submarine. ( read the book review here. )
(above and below) The last section of the book covers some mecha, props and set design.
Fans of Murata-san’s work will probably want to get this one. If you’re new to his work, I highly recommend his other art book “Prismtone”. ( read the book review here. )
“The Art of Last Exile – Range Murata” art book details :
Dimensions – 29.7 x 21 x 1.2 cm
Soft cover, 100 pages
Black & White, in Japanese
Buy From Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon CA | Buy From Amazon UK
You might also be interested in these items :
The Art Of Blue Submarine – Range Murata Book Review
Prismtone – Range Murata Art Book Review
[re futurhythm] – Range Murata Art Book Review
Last Exile – The Silver Wing Aerial Log Art Book Review
Futurelog – Range Murata Art Book Review
May 22nd, 2012 at 12:48 am
Damn, he’s really good, like technically and artistically.
May 26th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
How much of this book actually contains his art though? Also curious to know how much of it is a repeat of the material he put out in his Spheres doujinshis.
June 11th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
“My guess is that the art pieces found in the book are redrawn from Murata’s original designs for animation purposes – but please anyone correct me if I’m wrong.”
You’re not wrong. Horiuchi did the drawings for the animation model sheets.
@Zeb
None of the book’s arts are actually done by Range Murata. Murata provides the original concept drawings and animators like Horiuchi who simplifies the character drawings for animation purpose.
My complaint about MOVIC brand Animation Setting book (Settei Shiryoushuu) like this one is that they’re not easy to buy. It’s sold by Amazon Japan’s third party sellers and they don’t ship outside of Japan. I bought mine from Kinokuniya bookstore in San Francisco.
September 20th, 2012 at 11:55 am
Wow — on Amazon Japan, the book price isn’t 1890 yen, it’s 7,000 yen, or nearly $120 U.S. Which pretty much puts it out of the price range of the vast majority of…anyone.
Kinokuniya confirms this is their price, too, and the Art book for Last Exile Fam The Silver Wing comes in at around $60 U.S.
Any idea where more affordable versions can be gotten?