Masaaki Yuasa – Animation Projects Sketchbook Review

“Masaaki Yuasa – Sketchbook For Animation Projects” is a thick, sumptuous art book of visuals ideas from the anime director that bought us such fantastic works like Mind Game, Ping Pong The Animation, Kickheart, Tatami Galaxy and more.

The voluminous book ( 400 pages ) is packed from cover to cover with sketches from Masaaki-san’s many animation projects like the numerous Crayon Shinchan animated films (image above), the list I mentioned earlier above, as well as previously unreleased art from several other projects.

Almost all the illustrations found in the book are rendered in vivid watercolor, and the sketches themselves are imbued with a spontaneous, frenetic energy that is a hallmark of the director’s animation films as well.

(above) Cover art designs for the Mind Game dvd boxset.

(above & below) Surprise find – I was unaware that Masaaki-san was involved and had designed characters for the Studio 4C short film Noiseman Sound Insect ( Onkyo Seimeitai ), a piece I really love and which had a big impact on me during my formative years as an animation student.

(above & below) At the end of the book is a full color short manga piece “Rocket Boy”, illustrated by the Masaaki-san, as well as an interview.

A fascinating peek into the visual thoughts and ideas behind one of the most innovative directors working in the Japanese animation scene today. Highly recommended.

Masaaki Yuasa – Sketchbook For Animation Projects details :

– Dimensions – 8.7 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
– 400 pages
– Soft cover
– Full color, in Japanese (book contains mostly images)

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