Anime Mania: How to Draw Characters for Japanese Animation (Manga Mania)
005 4 This book isn't for people who seriously want to learn how to draw animé and manga . It's obvious it was made with that in mind , but somewhere in the jumble of publication , Mr . Hart forgot that he was trying to teach the reader - not show them pretty pictures .
The book covers basic character concepts , but ones that should come intuitively to any one that has watched TV and / or gone to highschool , like the cheerleader , troublemaker , outcast , entrepeneur , farmer , and a fantasy and scifi fighters ' squad . It doesn't really teach you anything you couldn't learn by going ' underground ' and just buying some manga comics and teaching yourself by looking through them .
Pretty much all this book does is designate a ( very general ) character concept , give a brief paragraph on the type of character despite the obvious fact that all of us already understand what kind of person that character is , and then provide us with a figure and complete sketch .
I was not impressed by the main content .
On the other hand , the interviews and how-to's on working in Japan are interesting , things like equipment you may find in an animation studio and different phrases you might need to start off with if you plan to work as an artist in Japan ( a rough venture ) .
In all , I'd say it would be best to buy a book on human anatomy and detailed character concepts , this book doesn't really make itself worth the twenty .
001 4 This review is from :
Anime Mania : How to Draw Characters for Japanese Animation ( Manga Mania ) ( Paperback )
I really love Chris Hart's art books and ' how to ' art books in general , but this book is sub par for Chris .
My biggest disappointment was the serious lack of ' how to ' drawing illustrations actually included in this book . This book is comprised of mostly completed illustrations , and lacks the sort of detail Manga is famous for .
The sections on ' head shots ' is simplistic , the line quality heavy , and the color unspectacular . To make matters worse , over 3 / 4 of the book is filled with finished drawings . If you are the sort of artist who learns by looking at finished illustrations , this book is for you . However , if you were looking for a ' step-by-step ' approach , this book would be a poor choice .
I recommend reviewing this book before purchasing .
002 4 I really love Chris Hart's art books and ' how to ' art books in general , but this book is sub par for Chris .
My biggest disappointment was the serious lack of ' how to ' drawing illustrations actually included in this book . This book is comprised of mostly completed illustrations , and lacks the sort of detail Manga is famous for .
The sections on ' head shots ' is simplistic , the line quality heavy , and the color unspectacular . To make matters worse , over 3 / 4 of the book is filled with finished drawings . If you are the sort of artist who learns by looking at finished illustrations , this book is for you . However , if you were looking for a ' step-by-step ' approach , this book would be a poor choice .
I recommend reviewing this book before purchasing .
004 4 I admit I've only browsed through this book at a bookstore . . I didn't buy it because I didn't find it to be worth paying for .
The drawings don't look very . . . how should I put it ? Well done ? They look like they're done by a beginning artist . They're not what I'd expect as far as traditional anime goes . I'm a fairly good artist myself looking to hone up on my skills . This book wouldn't be that much help to me at all in that respect .
Maybe I just expect more out of a book that's supposed to be teaching you the proper way things should be drawn ? : )
006 4 This book does a nice job attempting to teach the anime style , but falls short of teaching beyond what is already basic and typical of anime . It also fails to achieve a very objective approach .
As a fan of the art style , I collect art books on anime both in Japanese and in English , and it's very obvious just from taking a quick glance through the book that it's a highly westernized interpretation of the art style ( just look at the costumes , for instance ) . Additionally , it doesn't go into the storytelling methods and cliches of anime-style art , which , being an art book , might seem okay , but I think it's important information to understand in order to learn how to draw anime convincingly ( proper camera angles , settings , keyframes , etc ) .
The majority of the book goes over figure drawing in very typical anime proportions and drawing by example .
If I had the chance to look through the book before purchasing it , I would not have bought it , but unfortunately I ordered it online and could not do so .
009 4 I got this book when I was just finding out about the anime / manga world . I now realize that this book is more for begginers . not a very good beginer either . it has a lot of useful info , though . ( weight bearing leg , basic body construction , character design , and other suff ) however , this book is sort of confusing becouse there are lots of different art styles in here . ( Mr . Hart hires other artists ) different artists draw differently .
there ARE colored illos all over the book . Mr . Hart breezes through lots of different types of characters without getting into them that much . he just shows you how to draw them at one angle and moves on . he could write a detailed series based on this book ( how to draw creatures , how to draw high-tech punks , dramatic seens , how to draw special effects , etc . ) .
but if your a begginer and want an overview of anime this is the book for U .
010 4 This book teaches you almost nothing about the way to make the head shape - just exepects you to be able to make a perfect egg shape . Then it expects you to be able to magically draw perfect features . Then somehow it gets colored with perfect highlights and shading . I don't recomend this book at all for beginners or people with intermediate skills . . . .
011 4 I would never recommend this book to anyone who takes the Animee / Manga world seriously . This book is a joke . How can I possibly learn to draw these objects with such a confusing format ?
If you buy this book you will be sorry . This book is a disgrace to the art of Anime / Manga cartooning .
012 4 I think people are forgetting that this book is suppose to be a stepping stone to designing your original characters .
This book is supposed inspire the reader and user not teach them how to draw Goku or Sailor Moon .
I'm well aware of the book's flaws .
I recommend the book based on your learning style though .
If you're quick learner get this book if not forget it .
014 4 This book provides tips on how to draw in an anime style , and includes some interviews with anime professionals at the end . It's definitely aimed at teenagers and young adults , with the writing style and the advice the author chose to include . For the different character types and the creatures , the author shows the steps needed to draw the desired object , as well as what the finished product looks like . The author also goes into basic character construction , how to draw characters in different poses and performing various actions , and how to draw special effects .
Near the end of the book , the author includes tips on how to make pencil sketches , how to draw clothes and costumes on characters , and different kinds of character groups . There is also an example storyboard included , information on backgrounds , information on equipment used by animators , and information about going to art school . There are even brief interviews with the international relations manager at a Japanese animation studio , an American who works as a director in Japan , as well as with a Japanese director .
Personally , I think the author does a good job explaining the basics of drawing . However , for a book that claims to teach readers how to draw characters for Japanese animation , I feel the book doesn't entirely show how to draw in an anime style . While it's evident the drawings that are included are inspired by anime , many of the pictures feel like the author is simply inserting some elements of anime drawing into his own drawing style ( with the author's own drawing style being more prevalent of the two styles ) .
By the time I finished reading Anime Mania : How to Draw Characters for Japanese Animation , I thought it would be a good resource for young people who want to learn how to draw anime-inspired drawings for a hobby . This is especially true by the time you read the interviews in the back of the book . The people who are interviewed make it clear that the anime industry in Japan is hard to break into , and that the pay ( especially starting out ) isn't the best . Personally , I would recommend this book to people who are interested in learning to draw anime-inspired characters as a hobby .
015 4 I bought this for my daughter and she was so very happy to get it . The instructions are clear and easy to follow . Excellent for anyone who wants to learn how to draw anime .
016 4 This review is from :
Anime Mania : How to Draw Characters for Japanese Animation ( Manga Mania ) ( Paperback )
This is a picture book that discusses , in very general terms , anime drawing . It does not teach anything . There are no outlines of how certain anime staples are created , etc , etc . A waste of money .
017 4 This is a picture book that discusses , in very general terms , anime drawing . It does not teach anything . There are no outlines of how certain anime staples are created , etc , etc . A waste of money .
018 4 I think the manga mania books are better though because they provide better examples though a little lacking in instruction .
My chief complaint about this book is the lack of animation instruction I figure since this book is about Anime it would provide some lessons in animation as it's done in Japan .
I do find the the instruction in character design and drawing to be average at best . This book gives you some examples and some useful advice for entering the animation industry but so very lacking when it comes to the imparting of useful information of the animation process that the title Anime mania is a misnomer . Most people buy how to Animation books to learn animation techniques and I for one as an aspiring animator don't want to see more animation outsourced to foreign countries seeing as animation is declining in quality in this country I see outsourcing to foreign nations as a primary culprit in that respect second only to cheap producers and uncreative executives !
Anime mania is however a nice book to have as a collector's keepsake and the illustrations are quite inspiring one of the few reasons that makes this book worth buying .
019 4 dont buy this book . buy a book from someone who actually draws manga or animates for a living . worst anime style ever ! ! ! !
021 4 This book not only helped me with my drawing skills but helped me make a friend from Japan . Anime Mania has great drawings and grand tips . I've become a better artist and my art grade reased quite a bit too .
023 4 This is another great bok from Christopher Hart . He shows you basics , advanced drawing techniques , and not only a Japanese phrase section on how to speak some japanese but how to act . For example , if you want someone important to have your buisiness card , you dont throw it in there faces you bow and extend it with both hands Another great book .
024 4 Chris Hart provides great examples and explanations to understanding how to create the anime look .
From simple construction through finished drawings , anyone will be able to creat their own anime world by the time they complete the book .
A great resource .
027 4 I bought it thinking it would just be a art book , but it has so much information on many aspects of anime . Though it's tutorials aren't as thorough as they could be , they are thorough enough to get the job done . I would recomend this book especially to anyone trying to learn to draw profiles . ( The sides of peoples faces )
028 4 I am a gigantic fan of anime and this book expanded my appreciation by leaps and bounds . The detailed explanation and drawings of the different character types , was incredible . And the contributing artists reads likes a Who's Who in the Anime art world . To land Pop Mhan alone to contribute is quite a feat . If you like Anime , go out and get this book now .
029 4 Watching Japanese animation on my TV with my kids more than I want to admit , I had always wondered how do they do that ? And while I am by no means a professional artist ( in fact , if I could pick a subject I was worst at in grade school it was Art ) , Chris Hart gives you all the tools to draw Anime . I am a huge fan of Chris ' work . . . as are my kids . . . and this book just adds to a great library of work by this animation genius . I highly recommend it !
030 4 Well I havn't bought the book , but from first glance , it looks pathetic . The art style is horrible for Anime . I have been drawing Anime for about 2 years or so , and observed tons of anime , and this is nothing like it . I know it is Americanized , but some children have WAY better skills then the artists in this book . ( I havn't bought it , but the cover says a mouthfull ) Some people say it is good for kids , well they don't know the beginning of how much I see wrong with it . Not recommended for anybody acept maybe someone who knows squat about anime .
031 4 I am writing this review on behalf of my children , all of whom are huge Christopher Hart fans . They were excited to see he had done a book on Anime . They all heartily endorse the book and all enjoy the step by step instruction , as well as the finished drawings . Since I do not draw , I read the book and found the written information very interesting .
032 4 This is by far the best book on the subject of drawing anime . I am a big fan of Anime and Manga and Christopher Hart's books on these topics are phenominal . I have a much greater appreciation for the artistry and creativity that goes into anime films after reading this book .
033 4 My drawing has already improved greatly after reading this book . The techniques explained are not to be ignored ! This has pushed me over the hump to the next level in my craft . Good balance of storyboard sketching to full blown finished pictures .
007 4 When I bought this book , I was expecting a good & #34 ; step-by-step & #34 ; & & #34 ; how-to & #34 ; book . This book REALLY disappointed me ! & #62 ; . & #60 ; I found that the drawings in the book were VERY & #34 ; cartoony & #34 ; & & #34 ; western & #34 ; looking . The drawings were all very generic & simple . Looking back at certain illustrations , I can hardly say that it looks like anime ! I'm sure that this book will be promising for younger readers , but a failure to hardcore otakus ! o.O
I own many manga comics & & #34 ; how-to's & #34 ; , & I recommend the & #34 ; HOW TO DRAW MANGA & #34 ; series . They will give you a good start to manga drawing . Looking for a first manga series to read ? ? Try & #34 ; Fruits Basket & #34 ; , by Natsuki Takaya . ^ _ ^
003 4 I would rename this book , THE ART OF WESTERNIZED ANIME . The colorful illustrations are great , but there isn't much instruction on How To achieve the drawings . It's a much better idea-generator book . There has also been some criticism about the Americanized anime used in this book . I agree that hard-core Anime fans will notice right away that there is something wrong with the drawings , the characteristic anime nose , for example .
Despite the above mentioned , the Pokemon crowd will really enjoy this book . The most obvious reason is that it is in COLOR and is filled with ILLUSTRATIONS . It also has pages of those draw cute anime critters . So , while it may not be traditional Anime , the younger crowd is not likely to notice , and may actually prefer the westernized look . And the lack of instructions probably works to their advantange as well ( don't most kids like to skip to the end of instructions , anyway ? )
For serious Anime fans , who are truly interested in learning how to draw Japanese Anime , I recommend taking a look at HOW TO DRAW ANIME & GAME CHARACTERS , VOL .1 , by TADASHI OZAWA . This book / series is popular in Japan , and has now been translated into English ( by an American publishing Co , so have no fear of all-your-base-belong-to-us English ! ) It has step-by-step instructions and the characters really look authentic . Why ? Well , because , it's written / illustrated by an animation director at STUDIO GHIBLI ( Oscar-winning SPIRITED AWAY ) The book , however , is completely in black & white , and while it is completely suitable for kids , will probably not be as attention-keeping as CHRIS HART'S ANIME MANIA .
Overall , I give this book 4 STARS . The breakdown :
5 - STAR rating for kids and people who's range of Anime consists of Afternoon cartoons . Highly Recommended .
3 - STAR rating for serious Anime fans . Neutral Recommendation . ( It still makes a good Art of book , though )
008 4 Yes millions of anime fans hate his Manga Mania because he can't do the art right and they hate his books because he hires people to do the art for him but . . . . . . . . THIS IS THE WORST YET ! Last year one of my friends showed me this book . I felt like laughing Chistopher Hart really doesn't know what anime is ! He hired the worst people yet ! There is like only two or three good artist ( one was the one the one that did the front ) and the rest of them were terrible.Most of the book is terrible mabye like ten pages are good but the rest how sad ! Even if this books cover looks good don't judge a book by its cover .
013 4 Ok , this book isn't all that great , nor is it that bad . Its NOT a book for BEGINERS . I wouldn't recomend this book for a serious manga fan , because you will be HIGHLY dissopointed . Its not really manga , but more of a cross between western styled and cheap anime . The coloring isn't that great . Most of everything is western styles , and what actually resembels anime looks stupid . I wouldn't say this is a how to draw book . Its thick with loads of pictures , but it doesn't tell you HOW to draw them . Buy this book if you can learn from looking at pictures . I would suggest you buy something else . I must admit , it did improve my drawing , but not much .
020 4 First off , I have taken a look at the book in a store . My first impression is that it was bad . One , the artwork looks very amateur like , more like a bad attempt . Many of the book he has produced are ones on how to draw american cartoons . Not to insult the guy , but it doesn't look anime like . I would not dare recommend this book to any one who want to learn how to draw in the manga style . I would sugguest buying the How to Draw Manga : Compiling Characters or the other How to Draw Manga . I suggest those because those are PROFESSION MANGA ARTIST . Please don't waste your time and money on Hart's books .
026 4 This book doesn't have a even the slightest HINT of anime , this guy has NO CLUE what he is talking about ! Some general rules of animation are somewhat useful but ANIME IS UNEXISTANT IN THIS BOOK ! ! I cannot stess this enough ! His animations are a mix of western animation and japanese animation except there are ONLY THE WORST QUALITIES OF EACH ! ! ! If you want a anime / manga book , PLEASE buy one from a japanese profesional animator , but STEER CLEAR OF THIS BOOK ! ! ! THey should pay you just to even consider this thing ! It has no right to even bear the WORD anime , much less make the false claim of knowing ANYTHING about the nature of anime . THIS BOOK IS NO GOOD ! ! ! ( barf ! )
