Why I collect 2D merchandise (Part 2) – Artbooks
Continuing from Part 1, here more lame justifications confessions why I collect 2D goodies.
2D Artbooks
While many boast of their art collection in terabytes, I look up to the folks who do so in tonnage. (Ok maybe realistically in kilograms.) Like Zyl, who also understand the pleasure of possessing the physical copy of a beautiful illustration, I revel in the joy of actually thumbing through an artbook. No muted digi-bytes or scan artifacts. Just pure artistic glory in its unadulterated form.
It all began with an innocent gift from Zyl - a freebie which he almost threw away in Japan. The fantabulously gorgeous K-Book playing deck. Featuring artworks from only the best of the best in Japanese moe-illustration, it opened my 2D sight/mind, surging me forth, like a tanuki hell-bent on siscon to acquire the most beautiful 2D illustrations Japan has to offer. Just over a year, I have a small but deeply loved artbook collection.
Personally I prefer commercial releases as opposed to doujins since they are more value for money - featuring more for less. I'd advise against anthological collections like Girls! girls! girls! since chances are you'd only like a portion of the artwork by the same few artists. Do your research and go straight for the fabled master's collection itself. As a bishoujo enthusiast, I'd say Tinkle, Mikeou, Suzuhira Hiro and Goto-P's works are good starting points.
PVCs up next.
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December 11th, 2008 - 08:56
As an artist myself, artbooks are also invaluable for inspiration and reference. There’s an intimacy about them that you just can’t get from digital scans, no matter how high resolution they are. There’s something empowering about being able to hold so much good art just in your hands; I’m not really sure how to explain it, but as expensive as art books are, I generally feel that they’re worth it. I really look forward to expanding my own collection with time. :3
December 12th, 2008 - 10:13
Indeed, while digital scans are neat and all, nothing beats thumbing through a full color artbook loaded with work from your favorite artist.
December 13th, 2008 - 11:29
Kiri / Zeroblade: Well said! But as Kiri has also mentioned, artbooks are so costly. My records show that I’ve spent about 70000 yen on artbooks alone this year. But indeed, a compilation of your fav artist’s works is PRICELESS!
December 13th, 2008 - 19:43
It’s generally held that the art in art books will be superior to anime by the very nature of the medium and the cost implications. But I have to say that the D.C.II artbook versus anime is a great example of the opposite holding true.
December 15th, 2008 - 12:06
stripey, i would to listen to your explanation to your kids when they ask why pap-tanuki has book of smei nude little girls on his bookshelf. or what happens when they tell that their teacher and then ask for sis-con means.
December 15th, 2008 - 13:17
Physical printed images are sooo 20th century.
December 16th, 2008 - 19:21
I love artbooks, they’re probably among my favourite anime merchandise; images always seem to look better in print.
Also, how many of these have you posted about? I remember stumbling upon a few on google (Tinkle, Mikeou, that YoaRuri book) but many of them look new to me. I’ve had my eye on that Chronicle book for a while (it’s by one of Navel’s artists IIRC), but I haven’t picked it up yet on account of the fact that I live with my parents…
…Although ironically, if someone “accidentally” picked up one of my SFW moe artbooks, it would probably still look just as inappropriate >_>
December 18th, 2008 - 07:11
Zyl: I think FEEL’s character designer is a exception. Like Bekkankou (Yoakena’s char designer), he should be declared the national treasure of Japan. Not only for DCII, the artwork for Otoboku (another FEEL production) is VASTLY superior for the anime.
Xellos-_^: I’ll raise them honourable tanukis like the pa and appreciate beauty in a healthy manner
0rion: Heh printed material has more staying power somehow. This I learn from having lost a great deal of my digital treasures over the years. As they say – easy come, easy go
ETERNAL: I strongly recommend Chronicle. After Tinkle’s moonlight tea-party that’s be my next best artbook. Mikeou’s would be next. I saw Chronicle being sold in Orchard Kino last month (new shipment) you may want to check that out if you still keen.
You wouldn’t regret the buy.