Product Description

BISHOUJO (beautful girls) is indispensable in the world of manga. Even if you can draw women, it is difficult to draw them attractively. This book explains how to draw hair, faces, eyes and the figure of BISHOUJO in the Japanese manga style.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #386118 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-01
• Original language: Japanese
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9784766111491
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

Very pretty, but...
First of all, I just want to say that it is my goal to own every single one of the "How to Draw Manga" series. Overall, the series gives a very unique look on techniques used by manga artists, while allowing a small peek into the industry itself.

When I first saw this book I was extremely excited, not to mention impressed. This is the first art book that I've ever seen that concentrates on the differences and similarities between women of different ethnicities. (If there are other books out there that does this, somebody let me know!) First, it divides the women into the three anthropological categories caucasoid, mongoloid, and negroid, and gives the main characters of each type. Then the women are divided by country. The mongoloid, caucasoid, or negroid characteristics are pointed out to the reader, as well as physical traits that are specific to the the woman's country of origin. Now, here's where I get picky...

One reviewer was upset because they showed a woman from her country wearing old-fashioned clothes that her people do not wear any more. Well, duh. (I'm sorry; that was mean.) Most of the bishoujo shown in the book are wearing their country's traditional dress. This is obviously meant to give the reader a small taste of the country's history. Good for them.

What bothered me wasn't the clothes - or, in some cases, lack thereof. (You will see nipples.) What I would like to know is where did the author get her information? Are these images based on anthropological studies? Did the author gather photos or models of different ethnicities and nationalities in order to compile this book? Or were they somehow influenced by stereotypes or by the media? Also, it seemed as though that in some cases the author was trying so hard to make these women look different, that some of the illustrations just came out looking weird.

Does this rambling have a point? Yes! It means use this book as a starting point only; don't take it all for gospel. Most of the pictures are beautiful, and hopefully they will offer great inspiration.

Excellent Reference Book
This edition is wonderful to learn how to draw manga characters with a particluar ethnic background. It covers a wide variety of cultures all around the world by how they are dressed, how thier ethnic clothes is put on (in some cases), and how you would draw that specific ethnicity manga-style. Regions covered:

-East Asian (Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia)
-Southern Asian (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh)
-Oceanian (Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Australia)
-Northern Europe (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland)
-Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal)
-Mediterranean (Egypt, Greece)
-Middle Eastern (Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey)
-Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Liberia)
-North America (Canada, United States)
-Central & South America (Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Peru)

Ancient & Prehistoric dresses covered:
-Ancient Greek, Germanic, & Celtic
-Ancient Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Egyption
-Prehistoric Cavewomen
..and a little section on modern punk/rock/heavy metal for some strange reason.

This book is more of a reference guide for traditional garments of women throughout the modern world and ancient world and is for those who do not mind the nudity.

On a side note, I don't know if this is true with all editions but the book I have has 8 blank pages. That's right, blank, as in there is nothing printed in that page. You're better off going to the bookstore and checking the book yourself before buying.

first how to book and my absolute favorite!
When I got this book I was very excited to look inside. I have been drawing manga/anime since I was eleven (I'm 19 now) and literally had to self teach myself. I learned by staring at pre-existing pictures and drawing from that. And this book is perfect for doing just that(where were these when I was younger!?) This is an amazing book for people who are in this art field and are having trouble expanding their characters outside of the box. I like the fact that they seperate the races and present the differences between each...finally dispells that myth that all anime characters are the same except for the hair. The costuming is amazing...even has directions on how to make certain kinds (ie. ancient greek tunics or "togas!")My particular favorite is the Spanish flamenco dancer and female bullfighter costumes!I also liked the Middle Eastern bishoujos...the Iranian girl is such a good picture. This book is ideal for those who like diversity and expansion as well as those who are familiar with the field and already know the basics!!!! A great How to draw manga and an a requirement for anyone who does draw this genre.