Founded on July 1st, 2015, Deho Gallery is a joint business venture by Japanese anime studios Dwango, Studio Khara and Studio Ponoc. The company’s mission statement is to preserve the art of hand-painted backgrounds for works of animation as well as video games and commercial advertising.

Evangelion director Hideaki Anno is among the board of directors, and veteran Ghibli background artist Kazuo Oga serves in an advisory role. The list of background artists that make up Deho are cream of the crop talent that have worked on top anime films, and a small selection of their work are reproduced below :

(above) Background art from Mamoru Hosoda’s Wolf Children. (below) Background art from Ponyo.

(above) Background art from When Marnie Was There.

(below) Background art from Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises.

The beautiful background art featured in anime films are one of the best highlights of the art form, and I look forward to seeing more from this studio in the near future.

For more information, visit dehogallery.co.jp.

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Gundam – Yuji Kaida Art Works is a sumptuous collection of Gundam illustrations by Yuji Kaida, a veteran artist who is renowned for his Ultraman, Kajiu and Godzilla art works.

I’ve never been a big fan of Gundam by any measure but the amazing illustrations really impress. In this digital age most Gundam art work would probably be realized through CG renderings, so it’s nice to see them executed in traditional media; some of them were painted more than 20 years ago in the 1990s.

A bonanza of fantastic Gundam art, definitely worth checking out for the detailed, beautiful illustrations. Recommended.

“Gundam – Yuji Kaida Art Works” art book details :

– Dimensions – 11.6 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
– Softcover, 127 pages
– Full color, in Japanese language

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Some excellent close-up pictures of the Patlabor mecha prop that was made for the live-action adaptation of the popular animated films/TV series. Photo credits go to Dual Moon.

More of an observation rather than criticism, it is interesting to note how just some minor design differences in the head profile and body chasis ( dictated by construction limitations and budget, possibly ) results in a somewhat less distinguished look for the Ingram. The anime version has a very streamlined form, with a regal and heroic look.

The 2nd Patlabor film is still one of my favourite anime ever, and the anime TV series is filled with great laughs ( more so if you understand Japanese ) and serious drama. If you’re new to Patlabor, definitely start with the anime TV series.

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Yoh Yoshinari (吉成 曜) is a Japanese key animator/storyboard artist known for his work on Evangelion, Gurren Lagann and Little Witch Academia. This is his first art book and features a fantastic collection of illustrations and sketches from his portfolio, from Evangelion to Gurren Lagann and more.

(above right) I love the mise-en-scene of this illustration. (below) The last section of the book features the artist’s “rough sketches”, but clearly his definition of “rough” is quite different from the most of us.

A splendid collection of gorgeous illustrations from a super talented animator. Highly recommended.

The Art Of Yoh Yoshinari Illustrations Art Book details :

– Dimensions – 29.7 x 22.5 x 12 cm
– Softcover, 160 pages.
– Full color, in Japanese language ( content is mostly images )

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Before Miyazaki Hayao’s The Wind Rises ( Kaze Tachinu ) came to fruition in Ghibli’s animated film in 2013, it’s original source and inspiration existed in manga form, a series of 9 chapters published in the Japanese magazine Model Graphix from 2009 to 2010.

The complete manga, executed in Miyazaki’s beautiful watercolors is now available for the first time in this Tankobon compilation. There is also a transcript of an interview with Miyazaki-san by Suzuki Kunihiro, the president of Fine Mold, a plastic model company that produced some of Ghibli’s model kits, like the plane from Porco Rosso.

(above) Miyazaki-san’s fondness for pigs manifest in numerous characters in the manga, and even the lead protagonist ( the historical figure Jiro Horikoshi ) is drawn with swinish features. The illustration style and comedic flavor of the panels are very similar to his earlier manga Daydream Notes.

(above) The picturesque image of Jiro’s wife Naoko painting on a grassy hill top was eventually adopted for use as the anime’s main poster design.

Miyazaki-san’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations are always stunning to behold and this book is a great companion to the animated film. Do also check out the excellent Art Of Wind Rises and Storyboard book.

“”The Wind Rises – Miyazaki Hayao Manga” details :

– Dimensions – 29.4 x 20.6 x 1.4 cm
– Softcover, 79 pages
– Full color, in Japanese language

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Record Of Lodoss War – The Lady Of Pharis (ロードス島戦記 ファリスの聖女) is a manga illustrated by renowned Japanese artist Yamada Akihiro ( RahXephon, 12 Kingdoms ), based on the novel by Ryo Mizuno, which also spawned a popular anime TV series during the mid 90s.

This Complete Edition splits the Tankobon into 2 volumes, and comes with an additional appendix featuring beautiful illustrations from the manga, housed in a thin cardboard slipcase. ( more images below ),

The print size and format of the manga is similar to a typical US trade paperback, with crisp and bold images that really show off Akihiro-san’s detailed art work to great effect.

(below) The additional appendix volume ( black cover ) contains gorgeous color illustrations and some very detailed graphite drawings created for the manga.

I’ve been waiting for a reprint of this manga for a very long time and this is everything I’ve hoped for, featuring some of Yamada Akihiro’s best works ( with the exception of maybe this ). The price is a little higher than I expected, but this is the definite edition to get. Recommended.

Record Of Lodoss War – Yamada Akihiro Complete Edition Manga details :

– Dimensions – 26.2 x 21.4 x 4.6 cm
– Softcover, 592 pages. 2 volumes + Appendix ( Illustrations )
– B&W, full color illustrations, in Japanese language

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Ghost In The Shell : Virtual Reality Diver is a new animation short by Production I.G, with key creative personnel Kazuchika Kise and Junichi Fujisaku ( Ghost in the Shell Arise / Ghost In The Shell : The New Movie ) leading the project. The completed film will be delivered via an app and viewed using a VR headset. Check out the trailer below :

Official website here.

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Some spiffy animation from the trailer for Kuzumonogatari, a three part animated film series from the Bakemonogatari universe. Toho Animation is helming the production and distribution is handled by Aniplex. Check out some stills and the trailer below :

Official site : kizumonogatari-movie.com
Aniplex USA : http://www.aniplexusa.com/kizumonogatari/

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The Dragonball Super Art Book is exactly as the title suggests – a super collection of Akira Toriyama’s illustrations for his magnum opus manga Dragonball. The book features virtually every illustration found in the Tankobon volumes, including covers, chapter dividers and more, all in their colored glory.

Many folks from my generation read Dragonball as young kids and as we grew up one might be tempted to dismiss Akira Toriyama’s work as being childish; but that simply isn’t true – Toriyama-san is an incredibly accomplished designer, be it character/creature, costume, vehicles/mecha, you name it. In fact, I cannot think of too many manga artists that are as well rounded in design as he is.

(above left) The illustration used for the artist’s other art book, Akira Toriyama The World Special.

The book comes housed in a sturdy outer cardboard slip case. ( above )

A bonanza of Akira Toriyama’s captivating illustrations from Dragonball, a must have for fans of the manga. This comes highly recommended.

Dragonball Super Art Book″ art book details :

– Dimensions – 27.4 x 19.4 x 3 cm
– Hardcover, 239 pages
– Full color
– Comes with a cardboard slip case ( see image above )

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Seasons greetings ! I hope everyone is enjoying the festivities of Christmas and the New Year. As you take a moment to digest all that sumptuous holiday food here’s a look at my favorite art books of 2015.

I reviewed a total of 70 art books this year; you can see the full list here. I hope there’s at least a book or two in the list that will pique your interest. ( do note that not all the books listed here were published in 2015. ) Enjoy ! –

1) Ohrai Noriyoshi II : 1966-1984

The great Ohrai Noriyoshi, who sadly passed away in October this year. Well known for his poster work on The Empire Strikes Back, this art book features a huge collection of his best works and is a fitting tribute to the artist.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan


2) Record Of Lodoss War – Complete Edition

A deluxe edition of manga artist Yamada Akihiro’s Record Of Lodoss War. The bigger print size allows for greater appreciation of the artist’s minute and detailed draftsmanship, and the 2 volume set also comes with a smaller book with gorgeous colored illustrations.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan


3) The Wind Rises – Miyazaki Hayao Manga

The original manga to which Miyazaki Hayao’s anime film The Wind Rises is based on, a series of 9 chapters published in the Japanese magazine Model Graphix from 2009 to 2010, and now collected in this single volume. I can never tire of Miyazaki’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan


4) Pareidolia – James Jean

Pareidolia is a breathtaking art book by internationally renowned artist/illustrator James Jean ( Fables, Rebus ). Running at 288 pages, the book features art work that spans the majority of his career and includes a dust jacket cover that folds out into a stunning poster.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan | Buy From Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon UK



5) The Art Of Yoh Yoshinari Illustrations

Yoh Yoshinari (吉成 曜) is a Japanese key animator/storyboard artist known for his work on Evangelion, Gurren Lagann and Little Witch Academia. This is his first art book and features a fantastic collection of illustrations and sketches from his portfolio, from Evangelion to Gurren Lagann and more.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan | Buy From Amazon.com


6) Gustave Doré : Master Of Imagination

Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré ( 1832 – 1883 ) was a French artist, printmaker, illustrator and sculptor. Often called “the most illustrious of illustrators”, Gustave Doré prolific portfolio ran the gamut from art work in editions of the Bible, Dante’s Inferno, Poe’s The Raven, The Adventures of Don Quixote, and even in Hollywood, from King Kong to Seven.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon UK | Buy From Amazon Japan


7) ARS MAGNA – Yukito Kishiro

ARS MAGNA is a collection of illustrations by manga artist Yukito Kishiro, most well known for his Gunnm ( Battle Angel Alita ) series of comics. This is his first published art book and the bulk of the contents feature illustrations from the various Gunnm manga series, a chapter for Aqua Knight, and one of the final chapters feature art work from numerous smaller projects.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan | Buy From Amazon.com


8) Caravaggio – The Complete Works

This art book by Taschen is a splendid reproduction of the now out of print deluxe edition, first published in 2009. Although slightly smaller in print size than the original edition, the book is still a hefty volume and comes at a much lower price tag, making it a great value purchase for a very comprehensive collection of Caravaggio’s works.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon UK | Buy From Amazon Japan


9) Perfect Blue Storyboard Collection

The late Kon Satoshi’s 3 volume ( plus an additional supplementary booklet ) set collecting the full storyboards used during the production of Perfect Blue, beautifully reproduced in A4 sized format.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan | Buy From Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon UK


10) Final Fantasy XIV : The Art Of Eorzea

Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn : The Art Of Eorzea ( ファイナルファンタジーXIV: 新生エオルゼア) is the official art book for the MMORPG game by Square Enix, featuring a huge collection of illustrations and art work created during production of the game.

Helming the art team is character designer/illusrator Akihiko Yoshida, who also bought us such amazing art work in Bravely Default and Tactics Ogre.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan | Buy From Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon UK


11) Studio Ghibli Structures Exhibition Catalog

The catalog for the amazing Studio Ghibli Structures Exhibition, held at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei, 2015. For some pictures from the exhibition, see this and this post.

Read the full book review | Buy from Amazon Japan Seller 1 | Seller 2


12) Alien The Archive

Alien The Archive – The Ultimate Guide To The Classic Movies is a veritable treasure trove of concept art and production photographs that comprehensively documents the making of the 4 Alien films – Alien/Aliens/Alien3/Alien Resurrection.

Read the full book review | Buy From Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon UK | Buy From Amazon Japan



13) Tokyo Genso

The Tokyo Genso art book imagines a post-apocalyptic Japan through a series of fascinating illustrations depicting a barren and desolate Tokyo landscape gradually reclaimed by nature. The images will certainly resonate strongly with any Tokyoite ( or anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time in Tokyo ) because the sights portrayed are landmarks that have come to define the sprawling metropolis.

Read the full book review | Buy From Amazon Japan | Buy From Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon UK


14) The Art Of Robert McGinnis

Robert McGinnis ( born 1926 ) is an American artist and illustrator. He is known for his illustrations of more than 1,200 paperback book covers and 40 movie posters, including Breakfast at Tiffanys (his first film poster assignment), Barbarella, and several James Bond and Matt Helm films.

“Robert McGinnis can paint anything — a movie poster, a Western landscape — and draw you in. But when he paints a woman, he makes you fall in love.”

Read the full book review | Buy From Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon UK | Buy From Amazon Japan


15) Oyaji – Otomo Katsuhiro + Katsuya Terada

Oyaji (親父衆) is a collection of comics/drawings from 33 Japanese artists featuring their personal artistic interpretations on the subject matter of the “father figure”.

The project is spearheaded by Akira director Otomo Katsuhiro and his collaborator Katsuya Terada, with both of them contributing the most number of art work in the book. The last time such a super artist team-up ocurred, the amazing VIVA IL CICLISSIMO! art book happened.

Read the full book review | Buy From Amazon Japan


You can take a look at the full list of 2015’s reviews here, and I also recommend my favorite art books of 2014, 2013 and 2012.

If you need help with ordering on Amazon Japan, the FAQs below will guide you through, step by step.

And lastly, I’ll love you hear about your favorite art books this year too, if any. Happy Holidays !

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Get ready for more stunning background art from anime director Shinkai Makoto’s upcoming film, titled Your Name ( 君の名は。). Check out some screencaps and the trailer further below.

(above) The NTT Docomo building, one of the more easily recognizable skyscrapers in Shinjuku, Tokyo. This building was featured prominently in the director’s last film, Garden Of Words.

The film is set for a domestic release in August 2016, so we can expect another trailer or two in the coming months. Official website – kiminona.com

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The opening sequence for the new Nihon TV anime series Lupin III : Italian Game, directed by famed animator Koji Morimoto ( Akira, Memories, The Animatrix ). Check it out below –

Lupin is as famous as any anime can get but I actually know very little about the films. I do so like the Japanese blu-ray cover art for the previous film The Woman Called Fujiko Mine –

For those who are new to Koji Morimoto’s works, I definitely recommend Memories, and his art book Orange.

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Japanese publisher Tokuma Shoten’s “Roman Album” series for Ghibli’s animated films have always been abridged versions of the “Art Of” books, with a smaller collection of art work and more pages dedicated to interviews and text articles.

Since the Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu) however, the art content of the Roman album has been greatly expanded, featuring more image and layout boards, as well as genga ( key animation drawings ).

This is true also for The Tale Of Princess Kaguya, which at 183 pages covers a great deal of additional art not seen in the official Art Of book.

(above) An interview with veteran background artist Kazuo Oga, who also takes on the role of art director in this film. Definitely check out his collection of background art in his book.

A great companion to the equally excellent Art Of Kaguyahime book, with plenty of stunning background art, image boards and genga pieces. Highly recommended.

“Princess Kaguya Roman Album” art book details :

Dimensions – 29.8 x 21 x 2.2 cm
Soft cover, 183 pages
Full color, in Japanese

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After being awarded the Grand Prix d’Angoulême ( Lifetime achievement ) in France last year, Otomo is back again this year at the Angoulême International Comics Festival, where his French publisher Glénat is organizing an exhibit of tributes to his work by 40 cartoonists/artists, including the incredible Kim Jung Gi ( image below ).

The official poster for the exhibition is illustrated by Otomo himself ( image above, note Kaneda’s bike on the lower right corner ).

Below is a preview of some of the artwork you can expect to see at the exhibition, which runs from the 28-31 January 2016.

For more information on the exhibition, go here and here ( in French only ).

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To celebrate the 10th anniversary release of Michael Aria’s Tekkon Kinkreet anime film, Studio 4℃ is releasing a new art book featuring never-been-published materials, such as character designs, image boards, and key animations. The image below is a sample of the contents :

The 2 existing art books ( Kuro, Shiro ) were phenomenal so it’s interesting to see what other material we’ll be seeing in the new book. Studio 4℃ is also offering 2 limited special edition art books on sale only on their website.

I’ll be sure to post a review of the art book once I get my copy.

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A nice compilation of Japanese animated commercials, a couple of which I have featured on my blog previously ( Cross Road – Makoto Shinkai, The Boy And The Beast + Green DaKaRa Drink and Ghibli’s Nisshin Seifun. ) Check it out below :

The use of anime in commercials piques my interest in particular as I myself was involved in the production of Nissin’s Freedom Project some years back, a series of commercials/OVA with characters designed by Akira director Otomo Katsuhiro.

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The Castle Of Cagliostro ( ルパン三世 カリオストロの城 ) is the first theatrical anime film directed by Ghibli co-founder Miyazaki Hayao. Released more than 3 decades ago in 1979, the storyboards ( illustrated by Miyazaki-san himself ) aren’t nearly as detailed as his more recent films like The Wind Rises and Ponyo, but is nonetheless stunning to look at.

(above) Just like the other Ghibli storyboard books the volume comes housed in a thin protective cardboard slipcase. As always Miyazaki-san’s art work is a pleasure to look at and this one is definitely worth adding to Ghibli’s collection of storyboard books. Recommended.

Lupin – The Castle Of Cagliostro Storyboard Book details :

– Dimensions – 22.2 x 16 x 3.8 cm
– 582 pages
– Soft cover with cardboard slipcase
– B&W with color shading, in Japanese

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Cannabis Works 2 is the much awaited follow-up art book to renowned Japanese concept artist/illustrator/animator Tatsuyuki Tanaka’s original Cannabis Works, released more than a decade ago. This book is so good I don’t even know where to begin, and more than makes up for cancelled “Boiled Head” art book.

Filling the pages are Tatsuyuki’s stupendously detailed illustrations spanning concept art for numerous anime, storyboards for commercials, magazines and personal work in between; the context of the art work serves only as background information – everything is top notch in here.

(above & below) Storyboards for a short film called Angel Mask by Hongkong photographer/filmmaker Wing Shya, who is a frequent collaborator with Wong Kar Wai.

(above & below) Character concept art on Otomo Katsuhiro’s anime Farewell To Weapons, based on the manga of the same name. The full collection of concept art for the film can also be found in the Farewell To Weapons art book.

Tatsuyuki Tanaka is one of my favourite Japanese artists and this book easily makes it into my top art books of 2016. Highly, highly recommended.

Cannabis Works 2 – Tatsuyuki Tanaka” art book details :

– Dimensions – 26.7 x 19.2 x 2.4 cm
– Hardcover, 160 pages.
– Full color, in Japanese/English language

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Commemorating the 10 year anniversary of Michael Aria’s Tekkon Kinkreet anime, Studio 4°C has released the “characters” art book, documenting the concept designs, sketches, imageboards and Sakuga work behind the characters appearing in the film.

The character designs are done by Nishimi Shoujiro, who also worked on Akira, Mindgame, Genius Party and many other anime films and TV series.

(above) I ordered a limited edition from Studio 4°C which comes with an extra Shiro/Kuro book jacket. (below) The jacket for the regular edition.

This beautiful volume is a perfect addition to the Shiro and Kuro art books that focus primarily on the stunning environment/background art work of Tekkon Kinkreet. Highly recommended.

“Tekkon Kinkreet Characters” art book details :

– Dimensions – 26.8 x 19 x 1.8 cm
– Hardcover, 192 pages.
– Full color, in Japanese language ( book contains mostly images )

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Pieces Gem 01 – Ghost In The Shell Data + Alpha is an art book by renowned manga artist Shirow Masamune, and collects previously unpublished and miscellaneous “rare” art work created for the Ghost In The Shell manga and anime. There are a couple of pieces I recognize from the Intron Depot art book, and many others I’ve not seen before.

Shirow is an amazing artist and by virtue of creating Ghost In The Shell has earned himself legendary status in the manga/anime world, but his transition from traditional to digital art work has been less than successful, in my opinion. The CG backgrounds are often too crude, messy or distracting and often take away from what is otherwise fantastic art work.

All that said, this book comes at a low price, with plenty of art work and is an easy one to pick up, especially for fans of Shirow’s art.

For the best of his work, my pick is still Intron Depot. I also recommend Pieces Gem 02, featuring some of his older creations.

“Pieces Gem 01 – Masamune Shirow” manga details :

Dimensions – 21.2 x 15 x 1.4 cm
Hard cover, 87 pages
Full color, in Japanese

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