Akira – [ Graph Book ] Review

Posted By yonghow on September 20th, 2017

A lucky find at Nakano Broadway’s Mandarake art book store – a copy of the Akira [ Graph Book ] published in 1988, almost 30 years ago. The book is similar to the Roman albums for Ghibli’s films, basically a lite/digest version of the more substantial Art Of books, complete with synopsis and other misc material.

The “Film Story” pages are basically thumbnail images of the entire film, and it’s an excellent way to study and reference the color palette/script used in the major sequences of the film.

Another highlight of the book are the gorgeous pages of background art, something which I find is lacking despite the numerous art books on Akira out there.

Akira - [ Graph Book ] Review

Some pages of character and vehicle designs. Quite a few of these are unique to this book and don’t show up in the other later published Akira books like the Akira Archives and Akira Club.

Akira - [ Graph Book ] Review

It seems I can never get enough of Akira, my favorite anime of all time. This book has long since gone out print but used copies can still be found on Amazon.

Akira – [ Graph Book ] アキラ[グラフブック]” art book details :

– Dimensions – 28 x 20 x 1 cm
– Softcover, 110 pages.
– Full color, in Japanese language

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Tags: akira, Anime, art book review, Graph Book, Illustration, Japanese art book, manga, otomo katsuhiro, アキラ[グラフブック]

Posted in Animation, Anime, Book Reviews, Illustration, Manga/comics

4 Responses to “Akira – [ Graph Book ] Review”

Josh
September 21st, 2017 at 5:46 pm

What a coincidence….I had avoided picking up this book since the first time I saw it (all the way back in 2001!) because I believed there was nothing unique to to it that hasn’t been published elsewhere.

A friend picked one up for me just a week or so ago at a used book store for very cheap. So imagine my surprise to find the few examples of “new” stuff in there!

The other Akira book I’ve always passed on is “AKIRA WORLD” by Hot-Dog Press, cause that one also didn’t seem to have anything new in it. Do you have that one?

And the other one I haven’t bought simply cause I can’t afford is is the “Graphic and Poster” that was really oversized and came in a big tube. I’d love to own it but it looks fragile, rare, and it’s really expensive!

yonghow
September 23rd, 2017 at 1:15 am

Josh – You’re quite right, I think for most people who already own some of the other Akira art books, this one would probably not be of much interest. I just like Akira too much, lol.

I’ve actually not heard of these 2 titles that you mentioned, but Graphic and Poster has piqued my interest. I’ll keep a look out for it. 😛 Speaking of which, will you be getting the Otomo Posters collection that was just released ?

Josh
September 23rd, 2017 at 3:43 pm

My 20 Posters reprint collection just arrived and I’m immediately kicking myself for not ordering two: one to keep “mint” and one to go ahead and hang some of these beauties!

At first I thought this was a bit of a waste of money because all the images are already in the Posters book, but wow, it’s definitely worth it!

The posters are printed on different stock too, depending on what reproduces the art best. There are the two oversized ones and at least one (Kintaro) is a bit smaller.

If I had to pick a favorite it might be the DOMU poster….all that negative white space just makes the art POP…it’s beautiful!

This collection is worth it and I’m looking forward to your eventual review!

yonghow
September 25th, 2017 at 10:49 pm

Josh – Wow, maybe I should pick up another copy as well ! Can’t wait for mine to arrive ! :]