This is volume 4 of my series of “Digest” posts introducing noteworthy Japanese art books. Do also check out the the first , 2nd, and 3rd issue.


1) Showa Kaiju Pictorials – Kajita Tatsuji Art works

Recently there has been a renaissance of interest in Kaiju “Giant Monster” films, thanks to Pacific Rim and Godzilla. I was myself an Ultraman fan as a kid so this book is of particular interest – a collection of delightful Ultraman + Kaiju illustrations from the Showa era by artist Kajita Tatsuji.

You can check out some images from the book here.

– Dimensions – 11.6 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
– 128 pages, soft cover, Color, in Japanese
– 3780 Yen

Amazon Japan purchase link here.


2) The Work of a Card (Game) Illustrator – Toshiaki Takayama

The first art book by illustrator Takayama Toshiaki, featuring a collection of his art work and illustration techniques.

Visit his official page here.

– Dimensions – 10 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
– 143 pages, Color, in Japanese
– 2268 Yen

Amazon Japan purchase link here.


3) Kill La Kill Official Guidebook

I’ve been hearing only good things about the superb quality of animation on this series, although I’ve yet to see it myself. This is the official guidebook for the series.

– Dimensions – B5 size
– Appr. 200 pages.
– In Japanese
– 3240 Yen

Amazon Japan purchase link here.


4) God Eater 1 & 2 Visual Art Works

Offical art book for the Namco Bandai game God Eater 1 & 2 ( Gods Eater Burst ). Features illustrations and art work, character, weapons, stage designs and more. Check out some images from the book here.

– Dimensions – 11.6 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
– Softcover, 286 pages
– Color, in Japanese
– 2808 Yen

Amazon Japan purchase link here.


5) Berserk Art Book Volume 1 ( character designs )

Volume 1 art book for the anime “Berserk : Golden Age Arc” by Studio 4°C, based on the manga of the same name. The first volume covers character designs, layout and genga pieces. You can see some preview images here.

– Dimensions – 10.5 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
– hard cover, 224 pages
– Color/B&W, in Japanese
– 3456 Yen

Amazon Japan purchase link here.


6) Berserk Art Book Volume 2 ( environment designs )

Volume 2 art book for the anime “Berserk : Golden Age Arc” by Studio 4°C, covering environment and background art.

Studio 4°C has also previously published the excellent 2 volume art book set for Michael Arias’s animated film Tekkon Kinkreet, and the size and format of the 2 books are very similar to this.

– Dimensions – 10.6 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
– Hard, 192 pages
– Color, in Japanese
– 3024 Yen

Amazon Japan purchase link here.


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