HOBBY JAPAN JANUARY 2008 The key source for model kit building and customizing in Japan has a new look and larger format. Plus, the monthly “How to Build…” feature, which will show readers how to build and customize the latest and greatest Gundam model kits from Bandai! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Magazine, 400pgs, PC SRP: $12.99
MEGAMI MAGAZINE JANUARY 2008 Megami is the best Japanese anime magazine for tons of free giveaways, as well as full-color artwork and posters! Includes telephone cards, punch-out "character stands," stickers, and much more! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Magazine, 174pgs, PC SRP: $14.99
NEWTYPE JANUARY 2008 Newtype magazine is the top source for all of your anime and manga needs! It features all of the latest news on anime, manga, music, and games. Includes toy and model reviews, interviews with directors and actors, and columns by industry experts. Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Magazine, FC SRP: $10.99
JAPANESE CULTURE
KERA MAGAZINE JANUARY 2008 Japanese fashion girls show off their stuff in this hot issue that's practically flammable! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Magazine, FC SRP: $9.99
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKE-UP This book provides readers with the techniques of the special make-up effects and shows various conceptual artworks by young special make-up artists in Japan. The areas covered in this book include "Cosmetic Make-up," "Mold Making and Casting," "Painting Techniques," "Character Make-up" and "Professional Skills Workshop." This volume is useful for students who study special make-up effects, cosmetic make-up, film, and art. Ideal for professionals in the film and television industry, as well as professionals studying to be make-up artists and cosplayers. English text. (5424) (C: 1-1-4) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC SRP: $22.99
COSMODE #17 The seventeenth volume of Cosmode, the costume and mode magazine, is filled with pictures of anime fans and cosplay maniacs in their favorite costumes! Inside, you'll find useful hints to brush up your cosplay techniques, plus articles by professional make-up artists and costume creators. Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Magazine, 8x11, 151pgs, FC SRP: $23.99
DENGEKI FIGURE NAVI VOLUME 1 Dengeki Figure Navi is a new irregular magazine spin-off from the most popular article "Otome-Gumi" of Dengeki Hobby Magazine. Expect huge amounts of information and photographs of bishoujo commercial figures! This first volume's lead article is "Suzumiya Haruhi No Rittai." Also in this issue, commercial figures of Haruhi, and articles on how to convert figures. Plus, regular features like "Coming Soon," and more! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Magazine, 8x11, 144pgs, FC SRP: $18.99
DENGEKI LAYERS VOLUME 14 The fourteenth volume of the famous cosplay magazine is here, filled with talented cosplayers wearing their favorite characters' costumes, enhanced with professional-quality hair and make-up! Profusely illustrated with photos from events across Japan, Dengeki Layers also includes helpful "How-To" articles on cosplay! Japanese text. (7819/9878484024020) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Magazine, 8x11, 144pgs, FC SRP: $18.99
FINAL FANTASY XI: OFFICIAL VANA'DIEL WORLD GUIDE & MAP BOOKS Role-players finding their way through Final Fantasy XI's world of Vana'diel can have no better guide than this combination of a world guide and atlas to the game world! Find complete map and monster data for all areas of Vana'diel, including the expansion pack Treasures of Aht Urhgan. Also, inventories of shop and guild items in all cities are listed. Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 8x11, 437pgs, FC SRP: $45.99
OKAMA ARTWORKS: GETSUMENTO HEIKI MINA BOOK Originally conceived as an anime series watched by the characters within the Japanese television drama Densha Otoku, Getsumento Keiki Mina proved so popular with audiences that it was developed as a real anime series! Designed by renowned anime illustrator Okama, this artbook collects many of Okama's full-color illustrations and rough sketches of Mina's world. Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 8x11, 79pgs, FC SRP: $37.99
IZUMO ZERO VISUAL GUIDE BOOK No player of the PlayStation 2 tactical simulation game Izumo Zero will want to be without this guidebook! With complete walkthroughs, character galleries wtih art from Kazue Yamamoto, CG event triggers, and a story digest, completing the game has never been easier. Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 8x11, 95pgs, FC SRP: $46.99
ITO NOIZI ART COLLECTION: KA-E-N BOOK Two years after his first collection, illustrator Ito Noizi returns wtih his second artbook, Ka-E-N. With over 100 illustrations from Ito's work on Shakugan no Shana, and illustrations from her work on Beppa and Souzou, no fan of the H-artist will want to miss this! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 8x11, 127pgs, FC SRP: $55.99
KAPPA NO COO TO NATSUYASUMI OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK Keiichi Hara, acclaimed director of Crayon Shinchan Sengoku Daikassen and one of the top Japanese animators, returned to Japanese theaters in the summer of 2007 with Kappa No Coo To Natsuyasumi. Go behind the scenes with an exploration of the characters' journeys to find Coo's people, and a long interview with the director where he discusses his two-decade-long desire to bring the popular novel to the screen. Fully illustrated. Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 7x10, 143pgs, PC SRP: $51.99
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: PHANTOM HOURGLASS COMPLETE GAME GUIDEBOOK Link returns on the Nintendo DS, and no gamer will want to be without this complete guide to The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass! With a complete walkthrough, players will learn the locations of every items, secret rooms, fighting and strategy techniques, and more! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 6x8, 319pgs, FC SRP: $18.99
LUPIN THE 40! LUPIN THE III ANIMATION 40TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the manga and anime franchise, Lupin the III! This book contain story digests and series information, complete with full color screen captures from the anime series, movies, OVA, and specials, right up to the latest work Lupin the III: Misty Elusive! Also, a special interview with Monkey Punch, the series' original author! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 7x10, 189pgs, PC SRP: $18.99
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: EVOLVE SERIES MATERIAL BOOK Explore the innovative anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam Evolve. How are the Mobile Suits designed for Gundam Evolve? How has the CG art improved over the fifteen episodes? Through behind-the-scenes features, modeling data, and extensive interviews, fans will uncover the background of MS Gundam Evolve! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 8x11, 127pgs, FC SRP: $46.99
MUSHISHI RENTEI BOOK With its unique view of the world and its tranquil scenes, the historical fantasy anime Mushishi quickly became popular with older audiences. Fans of both the anime and its manga inspiration will appreciate the in-depth exploration of Mushishi's animation, complete with copious illustrations, the creative process of the series is laid bare. Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 7x10, 239pgs, PC SRP: $56.99
PATLABOR ON TELEVISION: PERFECT ESTABLISHMENT DATABOOK In near future Tokyo mechas are utilized in both industrial and police roles. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police created a special squad — Division 2 — to patrol the city in the specialized mechas and to deal with crimes involving mechas. With over a thousand illustrations and an interview with manga artist Masami Yuuki, no fan of the long-running Patlabor anime will want to be without this guide! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 8x11, 216pgs, B&W SRP: $58.99
REPLICANT #29 Replicant Magazine is your popular source for information on the latest collection of garage kit and "Bishojo" character figures, both old and new! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Magazine, 8x11, 133pgs, PC SRP: $23.99
SEKIREI ENGAGEMENT: SAKURAKO GOKURAKUIN VISUAL GUIDEBOOK Sekirei is Sakurako Gokurakuin's popular ecchi manga series from the Young Gangan comic magazine. Sekirei's main character, Minato, may be a loser-by-day, but at night he's the prize in a war fought by the Sekireis, hordes of beautiful girls with mystical powers!. This book contains many full-color illustrations, character and story analyses, and special bonus pages! Japanese text. (7819/9784757520394) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC SRP: $27.99
SUMITSUKYOU PEACH-PIT ARTWORKS BOOK 2 Peach-Pit is the popular Japanese female mangaka duo of Banri Sendo and Shibuko Ebara. Best known for their their bishojo style on DearS, Rozen Maiden, and Zombie-Loan, this second artbook of their work contains 147 full-color illustrations from Aquarian Age and more! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 8x11, 159pgs, FC SRP: $58.99
TALES OF THE ABYSS OFFICIAL COMPLETE GUIDE BOOK The eighth game in Namco's long-running Tales series (and the sixth to be released in North America), this guide book to Tales of the Abyss not only includes a complete walkthrough but also a guide to the secrets and side-events accessible only after the first playthrough! With a database of each character's fighting techniques and special powers, background data on the Tales world, and an interview with the developers and voice-cast, no gamer's experience will be complete without this book! Japanese text. (7819/9784902372099) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 6x8, 608pgs, FC SRP: $35.99
TOKI WO KAKERU SHOUJO ARTBOOK A little girl who gains the power to travel through time, only to discover that time travel is not a power to be used lightly, served as the concept for the anime film Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo. Released in 2006, the film garnered both critical praise and festival awards, and a key reason for the film's artistic success was the work of art director Nizo Yamamoto. Delving into the film's art, this book examines the painted and CG techniques used in Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo. Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 9x11, 111pgs, FC SRP: $55.99
WANDER FESTIVAL LOG 2007 Wonder Festival Log contains 350 models produced by popular modelers, complete with comments on their own works and photographs shot by professional photographers. With three different covers — Saver from Fate/stay night, Rei from Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Corona, an original figure by famous modeler Bubba — get the inside scoop on the Wonder Festival! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. CORONA COVER—SC, 6x9, 353pgs, PC SRP: $37.99 REI COVER—SC, 6x9, 353pgs, PC SRP: $37.99 SAVER COVER—SC, 6x9, 353pgs, PC SRP: $37.99
YOSHITAKA AMANO: ALL ENGRAVINGS COMPLETE COLLECTION BOOK One of the most famous Japanese artists in the world, Yoshitaka Amano is best known as a character designer behind Square Enix's Final Fantasy video games. Less well known is his work as a woodblock artist, and this book collects over 900 of the woodworks he produced! Get to know a different side of the famous artist! Japanese text. (7819) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SC, 8x10, 287pgs, FC SRP: $98.99
STAR OF THE MONTH
KANJI DE MANGA by Glenn Kardy & Chihiro Hattori This series from Manga University uses original comic artwork to teach readers how to identify and write the most common Japanese kanji ideographs. Each volume introduces kanji that all Japanese schoolchildren are required to learn, progressively becoming more difficult as the series progresses. Each page features a comic strip, kanji pronunciation guide, stroke order, and English explanations. A great motivating tool for students just learning the language, as well as those who have studied it before, but want to brush up on their reading skills. (4979) (C: 0-1-2) VOL 1 (OCT043421)—SC, 5x7, 112pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99 VOL 2—SC, 5x7, 112pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99 VOL 3 (JUN053510)—SC, 5x7, 112pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99 VOL 4 (MAR063743)—SC, 7x5, 112pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99
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DELETER COMICWORKS VERSION 2 DVD ROM Originally designed for professional artists, Deleter Comicworks is the premier Manga drawing software! With 240 kinds of tones, including dots, gradation, patterns and effects, this software allows users to create monochrome manga with ease. Now available on a convenient DVD-ROM format, Comicworks will give every artist's work the professional touch! (5800/5051014A) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. DVD-ROM PI
DELETER MANGA TOOL KITS These Deleter manga toolkits are perfect for every artist! With markers, inks, paper, and more, everything the young artist or the established pro needs to create will be handy! (5800) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. STANDARD (3214102B)—Kit SRP: $39.99 SUPER DELUX (3214102B)—Kit SRP: $99.99
DELETER SCENERY COLLECTION VOLUME 2: RESTAURANTS The Scenery Collection series is an excellent resource for scenery materials in making comics or animation. Artists can copy and paste directly from the books to create backgrounds or use the tones in original arrangements. Filled with black and white line drawings of various types of restaurants, with interior and exterior shots of bar counters, cafes, nightclubs, ramen shops, soda fountains, fast food chains and more! Available both in book form and digital form. (5800) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. BOOK VERSION (5014002)—SC, 7x10, 112pgs, B&W SRP: $7.99 DIGITAL VERSION (5055002)—CD-ROM SRP: $29.95
DELETER SCREEN SHEETS There's a reason why Deleter is the largest Screen tone maker in Japan! Now you can have the latest styles just released in Japan with these high-quality sheets, recommended by amateur and professional artists! (5800) (C: 1-1-3) NOTE: Not available in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. SE1267-SE1272 (SE1267)—Screensheet SRP: $5.99
STARS OF THE MONTH
HOW TO DRAW MANGA Aimed at the beginner, How To Draw Manga: Computones is a detailed introduction (complete with raw material) to tone work, an indispensable manga technique. Volume 2 focuses on tone work relating to human figures. Volume 4 looks at couples and romantic settings, especially in how tone sets the emotional mood. Volume 5 tackles the use of tone in action and fight scenes. Each volume presents in detail how to select tone, methods of portrayal using tone, and an abundance of other topics, including lighting effects that make the figure look more dramatic. Each also includes a CD-ROM boasting approximately 140 digital tones (for Windows: includes compatible plug-in modules for Adobe Photoshop 5.0/5.5/6.0/7.0/CS, Adobe Photoshop Elements 1.0/2.0, and Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7.0/8.0), teeming with effective uses designed to suit the subject matter. English Text. (5424) (C: 0-1-2) VOL 2: COMPUTONES (MAR053520)—SC, 7x10, 128pgs, B&W SRP: $22.99 VOL 4: PORTRAYING COUPLES (NOV053452)—SC, 7x10, 128pgs, B&W SRP: $22.99 VOL 5: AIMING FOR ACTION (JAN063604)—SC, 10x7, 128pgs, B&W SRP: $22.99