One of my happiest acquisitions while in Tokyo recently; the rare jumbo sized deluxe edition of Otomo Katsuhiro’s groundbreaking manga Domu, first published in 1983 (tankobon). This particular deluxe edition was released a year later in 1984, as part of the commemoration for Otomo winning the Nihon SF Taisho Award.
The print size matches 1:1 to dimensions of the panels that Otomo originally drew for the manga; just check out how big it is ! ( image below )
The manga comes housed in a outer protective cardboard box ( image above; it’s pretty banged up but one has to remember this book is more than 2 decades old ), and also a sturdy cardboard slip case ( image below ).
The actual volume itself is in excellent condition, mint new I should say. I actually spotted a copy last year at Mandarake bookstore in Nakano ( below ) but I was already past my carry limit so I had to pass.
A rare copy of Otomo's Domu ( jumbo size edition ) spotted at Mandarake in Nakano Broadway, for about $100. pic.twitter.com/wjvu8JdrHS
— blauereiter (@blauereiter) September 16, 2016
(above) Otomo is one of the most cinematic manga artists I know; here a simple use of fg/mg/bg elements give great depth to his composition. He uses many other simple but effective techniques like perspective and negative space throughout his panels.
(above) One of the most iconic panels in the manga ( used as the cover art for the Japanese tankobon ), beautifully reproduced by famed Final Fantasy character designer Akihiko Yoshida in the Otomo Tribute art book. (image below)
Availability : Very rare. I am unsure as to how many copies were actually printed in 1984 ( anyone privy to this info kindly let me know ), but certainly much fewer copies are available on the market today. You can find it on Yahoo Japan auctions sometimes ( where I acquired my copy ), and if you’re lucky a copy might be on sale at the Mandarake bookstore in Nakano Broadway, Tokyo.
The bottom line is, Domu is a masterpiece of manga storytelling, deluxe edition or not. Otomo is most known for Akira, but before he went to town with that he perfected his art and style in Domu. If you haven’t read it yet, locate a copy and give yourself a big treat.
(Please note the purchase link below is for the regular edition.)
Buy From Amazon.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Amazon DE | Amazon ES
Update 2022 – A new edition of Domu is now available as part of the Otomo Complete Works Collection ( purchase link below ). Read my review here.
Buy From Amazon.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Amazon DE | Amazon ES
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Domu ( Otomo The Complete Works Edition ) Manga Review
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Farewell To Weapons – Otomo Katsuhiro Manga+Art Book Review
Otomo Katsuhiro – 20 Posters Collection
July 7th, 2017 at 1:02 am
Awesome! I’ve been looking for an english edition of the manga in good condition, but they are so effing expensive… 🙁
Wish Dark Horse would publish Domu again.
July 7th, 2017 at 3:23 am
classic no doubt!
July 7th, 2017 at 7:26 am
So want this. Having it be jumbo size feels like its closer to a european comic album, or to be more specific a Moebius comic.
Domu was one of the 1st mangas I skimmed through way back in the mid 90s. At the time I was too young to appreciate it so I skipped it. It wasnt until many years later that I realized how talented Otomo was. I had intentions to read Domu every now and then but kept sleeping on it. Your posting and this version of Domu sold me on reading it asap. But it looks like its out of my price range 🙁
July 7th, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Sumptuous edition.
Many high quality works are unfortunately edited in an unworthy format.
Some of Otomo works containing some of his most beautiful comic panels (Kibun Wa Mou Sensou, Domu, …) are edited in a 21 x 15 cm format, printed on a paper that yellows over time …
I’ve always find this unfortunate.
There are of course deluxe editions, but too rare in my opinion. The general public ends discovering these works through the lesser quality supports.
July 8th, 2017 at 1:17 am
Fredrik/Martin – I’ve seen plenty of Otomo fans request for DH to do a reprint as well, hopefully they respond.
Distrakt – Definitely. :]
Atom – You’re right, even the regular Japanese edition of Akira is printed on pulp paper. I would be very willing to pay money for a new edition with bigger print size and good quality paper.
July 9th, 2017 at 3:56 am
Yonghow – You may be interested in these editions of Miyazaki’s Nausicaa:
The japanese deluxe edition (30 x 22 cm, hardcover, dust jacket):
https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E8%B1%AA%E8%8F%AF%E8%A3%85%E4%B8%81%E6%9C%AC%E3%80%8C%E9%A2%A8%E3%81%AE%E8%B0%B7%E3%81%AE%E3%83%8A%E3%82%A6%E3%82%B7%E3%82%AB%E3%80%8D-2%E5%86%8A%E3%82%BB%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-%E5%AE%AE%E5%B4%8E-%E9%A7%BF/dp/4198699011/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499538211&sr=8-3&keywords=%E9%A2%A8%E3%81%AE%E8%B0%B7%E3%81%AE%E3%83%8A%E3%82%A6%E3%82%B7%E3%82%AB
Or the English one, by VIZ Media (25 x 15 cm, hardcover, cardboard box):
https://www.amazon.com/Nausica%C3%A4-Valley-Wind-Box-Set/dp/1421550644/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499538247&sr=8-2&keywords=nausicaa+of+the+valley+of+the+wind
http://www.ericsantoli.com/blog/unboxing-nausicaa-of-the-valley-of-the-wind-manga-box-set-hayao-miyazaki
I prefer by far the design of the Japanese edition, but since I don’t read Japanese, it is of a relatively limited interest to me.
I possess the English version, and the quality is very good.
… waiting for a deluxe Edition of AKIRA, that may come someday … Amen 🙂
July 9th, 2017 at 4:22 am
Oh yes, I’ve seen these Nausicaa deluxe editions in Japan and it’s always been on my wishlist. Thanks for reminding me ! Now, let’s hope Kodansha Japan do something good for Akira fans on the 35th anniversary…