The Dis-Jointedzone » Artbooks

Fate/stay night Premium Fan Book: My Impressions

Optic — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:31:48 +0000

As the year draws to an end, I decided to dish out one more review whether it will be an artbook, magazine or figure review to close the year off. After much deliberation, I decided to go with an artbook review as it’s been a while since I last did one and despite being an old release even though it was one of my recent purchases in Singapore, I chose Fate/stay night Premium FanBook.

Warning: NSFW (Contains Nudity)

Originally released back in December 2003, the Fate/stay night Premium Fan Book is still one of the most popular fan book in the Fate/stay night franchise. Even though the series ended many years ago, items such as figures and games are still being released from this day and it goes to show this series is still one of the most popular (and money making) series of all time. It’s makes me wonder if it’s one of the series of the decade even though it was an average series for me. :)

Getting back on track, this Fan book is what you will expect from many other series related fan book. It has the low down on the characters, artwork concepts, illustrations from the series and many more. I guess what make this fan book stand out more hence giving it’s title “Premium” is the loads of extra goodies contained inside.
Here’s a list of what’s inside: (List taken from Akadot Retail)

Super Big 1000mm Poster
Cover Illustration poster featuring unpublished illustration
Special Pin-up
2004 Fate Desktop Calendar
Fate Ton Ton Battle Royal
Fate Original CD Jacket
Special CD – Trial, Wallpapers, Screen-saver , Fate Character Custom Icon 14 kinds

It’s quite a lot indeed and I doubt you get half of this much from any regular fan book.

Hmmm… Lovely ;)

Don’t really need to say more.

Need more of these illustrations

Best poster EVER!!!!

Overall, this fan book will please a majority of the Saber fanboys and fangirls out there. Even though if you not a huge fan of the series, I’m certain there is enough content to tickle your fancy. It certainly did for me. :D
While I preferred if they provided more illustrations of the characters, I reckon the biggest selling point is the 2 super huge posters. The cover illustration looks nice but other one featuring the warriors is just a WINNER!!!! I’ve seen this poster many years ago but to have a hard copy in my hands is just lovely. ^^

If your thinking about grabbing a copy, I would suggest Akadot Retail or Amazon Japan. Akadot Retail doesn’t have any stock at the moment but from my understanding, they are happy order some in for you.
I picked this up at the Singapore Kino while I was there, so do head to your local Kino and see if they may have any. From my understanding, there was 2 left at the Singapore Kino when I last checked it.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the last review of the year. My reviews has kinda slowed down for the last couple months as I was trying out different things, giving this site more variety to my readers. I hope you look forward to more in 2010.

For a look at my other artbook reviews, please check out my Artbook Reviews page list.

PS: This is the last ‘review’ post. Look forward to the last 2 loot post to finish it off. ^^

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Visual Collection Vol. 1: My Impressions

Optic — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:59:40 +0000

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Visual Collection Vol. 1 is a 2 part Visual Collection series released each year as part of their Gakken Megami Magazine Special Selection. If you may recall back in early May, I reviewed Vol. 2 first instead of Vol. 1 as Vol 2 became available to me first. Before you dive into this review, I really recommend you checking out Vol. 2 first as the logic of this ‘Special Selection’ is all explained there.

If you already understand the logic and/or you already checked out Vol. 2, let move on shall we. :)

Picked it up a few weeks back at my local Kino store. Intentionally a few months back, I wasn’t planning to pick it up or even felt the urge in making an ‘over-the-counter’ order but when I saw it for $60AUD, I knew I couldn’t resist. Besides, it’s not like me to not complete a collection or a series in whatever format. :)
Given the fact, both collections cost more than $70AUD a few months back thanks to the low Aussie exchange rate , I knew getting both at the time won’t seem worth at all.

Here’s a recap on what the StrikerS visual collection contain inside. (It saves me time from explaining things twice) ^^

Like many other Visual Collections out there, this one is not different. All illustrations are from dvd covers, featured articles, scans, posters and other media are all packed into this one little book. Given the fact there are so many, it explains why it comes in 2 volumes. Thinking about it from a business prescriptive, it’s another way Gakken is milking more of your money but I’m confident not many will complain given the fact the level of quality and quantity provided. Even though you have a few of the illustrations in whatever format (like me in poster format) this is your chance to have all of your favourites in one little collection. Even if there are a few new ones dedicated just for this book.

Just like Vol. 2, it came with a stand up pop featuring Subaru but due to a lack of space, displaying her will be difficult. Honestly, I got the visual collection because I wanted the artworks not the stand up pop and considering I’m not a fan of Subaru I might just sell it or give it away. I think there is a few who would treasure more than me. :)

Making a comparison between Vol. 1 and 2, I find Vol. 2 to be somewhat better when it comes to variety of illustrations. I’m not perfectly sure if it’s right to make a comparison between each collection because it is a 2 part collection and basically they just split all the StrikerS illustrations and put it all into 2 books, each with their own stand up pop.
I know this is Gakken way in milking more of our money (especially the hardcore Nanoha fans out there, like me xD) but I just find it’s kinda unnecessary and I rather prefer if they just bundled the whole thing into one but then again, I doubt the price will be fair for it’s consumers.

In the end, it’s all about choice. You either get Vol. 1 or Vol. 2 or both.

Still available at Hobby Search, you could own this visual collection today. If you prefer Vol. 2 instead, then you can still grab a copy at Akadot Retail when they have stock. It’s currently ‘out of stock’ but I’m sure they will be happy to order one for you. ^^
Other than that, check you local Kino store or related bookstore to see if they have any copies left because owning both visual collection or just 1 is well worth it. If you are a Nanoha fan, then it’s a must GET!!! xD

Kannagi Nagi Photograph Illustrations: My Impressions

Optic — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:26:26 +0000

Initially released last month, I was debating what kind of Kannagi merchandise I wanted. Given the fact I liked the show very much, I thought it was the right thing to do have something ‘precious’. xD
At first, I thought the nendoroid Nagi was cute and worth owning but considered the HLJ sales was around at the same time, I held back and quite frankly forgot about it until I laid eyes on the photo illustration book. After a quick decision, I decided to go with the illustration book but soon forgot about their either when the 2nd HLJ sale hit.
Even though I forgot about it twice, ‘fate’ lead me back to it again a few weeks back at Kino and I don’t regret it. xD

Similar to the Saber Portraits Illustration book, the Kannagi Nagi Photograph Illustrations contains 63 pages of beautiful and stunning Nagi artworks in a variety of outfits. Some of them includes Nagi-sama in night gowns, wedding dresses, bunny outfits, swimsuits, only a button shirt and Yukata.
In addition to the 63 pages, there are flashback snapshots of the series, artwork sketches, ‘fashion check’ which generally looks in detail about her outfits she wore in the series, storyboard and an interview with Haruka Tomatsu, the seiyuu behind Nagi. I find she looks pretty cute. Love her smile. :)

Once again, just like the Saber Portraits Illustration book, there are 8 bromide cards included featuring Nagi from the illustrations. My favourite ones are the Wedding dress, Maid in bed and Bunny in bed. Generally, I kinda find she’s ‘hot’ in bed. lol

Readers who want the scan pack can download it here.

Once again, it’s a very lovely artbook. Beautiful illustrations, in-dept storyboard and awesome bromide cards. I find the bromide cards itself are worthy enough to get this book. ^^

Despite being sold out at Hobby Search (do check in case they have restock), the illustration book is still available at Akadot Retail so don’t miss your chance. You might find the book at your local bookstore as well so do check there.

Fate Stay Night – Saber Portraits: My Impressions

Optic — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:37:30 +0000

An impulse buy from last week loot where I picked up from Kinokuniya. It’s not to say I didn’t know what to expect inside as I already seen most of the illustrations in scan format from many image boards and other blogs. Despite knowing whats inside and knowing myself, I’m not a big enough Saber fanboy to warrant this purchase, the illustrations are just too beautiful to pass up. It’s not often where I ‘buy now and regret later’. ^^

The Saber Portraits are just like any other artbook or illustration book. It contains about 64 pages of beautiful stunning artworks of Saber in a variety of outfits, in a variety of different lifestyle for example, gothic punk Saber, maid Saber, wedding Saber, swimsuit Saber etc. In addition, it mention about costume designs, and a memorable scene section relating back to the series. Other than the illustrations , I really like the memorable scenes section because there are some great flashback moments from the series and they are all structured properly from the episodic format.

Last but not least, the extra goody included in book are 8 bromide cards of Saber featured in the illustration. At first I thought there was 1 but then I realised I grabbed out 8. Really love these cards. They are all in glossy format and I am so happy the motorbike Saber was one of them as it’s my favourite illustration. ^^

Readers who are interested in the scans or want to download the scan pack can be found here.

Saber fanboy and fangirls or not, this one artbook is a must have. All the Saber varieties you want is right here and the bromide cards just makes this little artbook worth having just a bit more. ^^

If your in Sydney, I saw a few more copies left at Kino so be quick.
As for the oversea readers (or Sydney readers if you can’t make the trip there or it’s sold out) HLJ and Hobby Search got you covered.

For a look at my other artbook reviews, please check out my Artbook Reviews page list.

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Visual Collection Vol. 2: My Impressions

Optic — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:23:33 +0000

Each year, Gakken releases a dedicated Visual Collection book as part of their Megami Magazine Special Selection. Included with the Visual Collection is a 70cm Stand Pop as a bonus featuring one of the main heroine from the series. Last year it was Zero no Tsukaima (see review) where I was very pleased with the outcome. This year on StrikerS, I was doubly impressed and I found every cent invested was worth it.

Hit the jump for the full review with lovely pictures. Keep a tissue box with you because I’m not gonna wipe the blood after your through with it. xD

First things first, the visual collection comes in two parts, Vol. 1 and 2. I managed to only grab Vol. 2 because Vol. 1 sold out in a flash. My local Kino in Sydney only ordered 2 copies (1 copy for each vol.) and I was very lucky to grab the last one available. Still, I can make an over-the-counter order anytime for the same price to grab Vol. 1 but I already exceeded my budget for the month so I’m holding back for now. >_<

Like many other Visual Collections out there, this one is not different. All illustrations are from dvd covers, featured articles, scans, posters and other media are all packed into this one little book. Given the fact there are so many, it explains why it comes in 2 volumes. Thinking about it from a business prescriptive, it’s another way Gakken is milking more of your money but I’m confident not many will complain given the fact the level of quality and quantity provided. Even though you have a few of the illustrations in whatever format (like me in poster format) this is your chance to have all of your favourites in one little collection. Even there are a few new ones dedicated just for this book.

Well, get ready to bombard with gloriness. I hope you see your current farourites and maybe pick new ones and remember to have a tissue box beside ya. I guarantee you, will need it. xD

No pictures on Nanoha stand pop?
Due to a lack of space, folding it out means putting it somewhere and I don’t have an area for it. At the moment I’m doing a bit of room orgainsing so I will see where I can put it but if your haven’t seen it before, it’s the same format as the Louise one already displayed in my room.

This visual collection contains over 70 illustrations so that’s just over 55% of what you saw.

Well, I hope you love what you saw as much as I love posting it up. I’ve seen most of these illustrations before and I even have a few soft copies but given the fact to have all of my favourites in one book is just great. No more need in hunting soft and hard copies. Everything is here.

Grab your own copy and have your own Nanoha stand pop at Akadot Retail and Hobby Search. Hobby Search have Vol. 1 in stock as well if you want both or the other.
If you wanna wait for my Vol. 1 review first, there’s no guarantee I will grab it but expect delays. ^^

Jigoku Shoujo Illustrations ~Kyouka Suigetsu~: My Impressions

Optic — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:31:22 +0000

Looking through my ever increasing artbook collection, there are a few favourites where I give it another flick through from time to time. That’s not the say I don’t flick through my other artbooks but there are just a few which really stand outs, thanks it’s beautiful illustrations and one of them is Jigoku Shoujo Illustrations: Kyouka Suigetsu.

A special over-the counter order I made at Kinokunyia near the end of last year. As a big fan of the series and the love of Emma Ai herself, this was one item I was hard to say “No” to.

Basically, this artbook is a collection of illustrations covering both seasons from the popular anime series Jigoku Shoujo and Jigoku Shoujo: Futakomori!. Some of these illustrations was drawn specifically for this book and believe me, it almost takes your breath away. The detail in the artwork is just fantastic and when you combine that with some of the most beautiful colours used, it just look stunning. With a cover design by character designer Mariko Oka, it was a taste of what to expect inside.
In addition it includes a staff interview about the series and it’s character design and a special interview with Mamiko Noto herself, the voice actress of Emma Ai and a sneak peek at the artwork from the upcoming 3rd Season, Jigoku Shoujo: Mitsuganae.

I am very pleased to present this so enjoy. :)

If you want to own this beautiful illustration book, Akadot Retail still have it in stock. With 87 pages of full page illustration, this was just a taste of what’s inside so don’t miss your chance in owning this little beauty before it disappears in Hell for good. ^^

For a look at my other artbook reviews, please check out my newly created Artbook Reviews page list.