If there is anything I like about Kinokuniya, besides buying my regular mangas, is finding random stuff, or better yet, random art books that I thought I’d never see in the Sydney store. Well my dearest Roobar dragged me out to the city before watching The Simpsons movie and a trip to Kinokuniya was in order. The first thing I saw once I got to the art book section? Fujishiro Takeshi Illustrations - Nagasarete Airantou.
Now I wouldn’t say that the anime is awesome, but I do enjoy watching it for reasons unknown. Probably because I like how Horie Yui is the seiyuu for Suzu, plus she does a wonderful job on the OP and EDs. Anyway I’ve never had a good look at the original drawing style of Nagasarete Airantou, but I have had a quick glimpse at the manga before but I don’t remember much of it.
Chapter One of this artbook, titled “Days” covers artwork of all your favourite girls from Nagasarete Airantou in their normal everyday clothes. There are some nice double spread artwork that have the girls in a group, plus love the twin shots of Suzu and Meimei in swimsuit and normal clothes.
Chapter Two is titled “Styles” and here we get to see the girls in various different costumes. One thing I like about artbooks that are series focused, we get to see the characters in different clothing than what we normally see. Out of the pictures above, I like the girls in their dinner outfits, and Meimei and Shinobu switching clothes.
Chapter Three, titled “Girls”, is the final section of this book and it shows us exactly what the title is. Girls being girls. Or girls being girls in swimsuits or underwear! With a series that seem to use to use the “taking baths together” joke a lot, can’t forget things like this. Gotta love the one with Panako in it though. As expected from the prettiest girl on the island….even though she’s an elephant…..
So a random buy from my ever so random trips into Kinokuniya, and how much did I spend on this? Well I was surprised when I saw the receipt as it says $36 AU, thought it says ¥1714 on the back cover. For a book that spans over just under 100 pages, I think it was bargain. I have noticed of late that illustration books seem to be getting cheaper, or it could be the fact that I don’t take note of prices, but as well as that they come packed with some nice art work. Though I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of Fujishiro Takeshi, as I do think that the character designs look a little similar amongst the girls, but they are still cute. My favourite girls are both Suzu and Shinobu, and seeing these illustrations of Shinobu *drool*.
Oh and if you’re wondering what the bottom cover slip is on about, there’s going to be a promo where you can get yourself a plush Tonkatsu when you purchase the 11th volume of the Nagasarete Airantou manga, I think. Well it’s going to be limited to 100, and it looks rather cute, but meh, I wouldn’t want one anyway.
When I picked this off the shelf, there were a number of other copies there. So if you’re a fan of Nagasarete Airantou, you can pick one up at Kinokuniya. Even if you’re not, $36 for an art book like this is pretty cheap. Also if anyone knows of an easy way to photography artbooks, please tell me, because I suck at it at the moment.
>If there is anything I like about Kinokuniya, besides buying my regular mangas, is finding random stuff
Indeed! I simply love browsing the anime/2d artbooks section to discover that occasional gem. I’d agree with you on Takeshi sensei’s work. The girls need greater differentiation. Nevertheless, gratz on yr purchase. Nothing like a sucessful surprise Kino raid
As you Adun, I enjoy watching this show especially because of Yui “Hotchan” Horie hehe ^^
This book looks great, but I still prefer the anime character design. Any news about a visual/fan book about the show?
Wow… full of nosebleed-inducing images…
Woah, nosebleed is right ^^.
Hey the photos look great man, haha =)
My fav character is “One-sama” haha…
Even tho the anime doesn’t stand out much, i like the light-heartedness and “easy-watching” style. Great for watching anytime, any mood!
Everytime you mentioned Kinokuniya, I got pissed. Not at you :), but at Perth. Why isn’t there one in Perth!
Stripey: My luck at finding awesome stuff randomizes, but lately it’s been good. I wonder what’ll be the next one I find.
lu-k: Definitely prefer the anime character designs over the illustrations. Not sure if there’ll be a visual fan book for the series, but you never know. Just need to keep an eye out for it.
samejima & AS: Let’s just hope we don’t lose too much blood.
Hiyuu: You mean Machi-nee? I’m quite surprised there was nearly an equal amount of illustrations of her as Suzu. But yeah, it’s an easy watch, especially if I’m feeling brain dead after work.
Fisherman Horizon: Oh I don’t know what I would do if there wasn’t a Kinokuniya here in Sydney. But even if there wasn’t one, I’d still be spending the same about just from importing stuff.
My fav character is Machi-nee, because of Her tsundere attitude ^^. I like manga art so much more than anime. It have more details on characters and it´s more stylish than anime version.
Greetings from Florida! Nice blog posting about hiro Takeshi Illustrations - Nagasarete Airantou at Moé Moé Rabu. I would have to agree with you on this one. I am going to look more into anime fan art. This Sunday I have time.
myu: lol tsundere in anime somehow turns otakus on, in a ‘i like that character cuz…” way.
Or am i the only one who finds it amusingly attractive?
I love Nagasarete Airantou. The story is hilarious, funny, bright and cheerful. Perfect for those who got tired of watching too much dark and serious themed anime/manga