Genshiken Official Book [Paperback]

Shimoku Kio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2008

ATTENTION HARDCORE GENSHIKEN FANS!

Now available for your exclusive pleasure: the ultimate sourcebook for the ultimate fans of the nine-volume, smash hit manga series that has taken America by storm. The Genshiken Official Book covers virtually every aspect of this phenomenon, from cosplay bare skin rules to the otaku must-have anime–plus games, games, games (including fight games and girly games) and how to hunt down the best ones. Also inside you’ll find

• an exclusive full-color poster
• Kujibiki Unbalance trading cards
• the Otaku Ten Commandments
• a special section on Genshiken love (who’s doing what with whom!)
• juicy new details about your favorite fan-boys and fan-girls
• fun quizzes (how otaku are you?)
• start-up guides (twelve simple steps to creating a fanzine)
• the last word on otaku lingo
• a brand-new story set in the world of Genshiken

Negima! creator Ken Akamatsu, who was a fanboy himself as a teenager, reveals how to get the most out of attending Comiket, and Genshiken creator Kio Shimoku provides plenty of his own insight, including his personal guide to manga conventions. So get ready to embark on a fascinating odyssey into the world of Japanese anime/manga fandom.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 16 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034550402X
• ISBN-13: 978-0345504029
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,242,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not much new but still interesting., January 29, 2009

By 

James A. Hodyl (South Fla. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Genshiken Official Book (Paperback)

I'm a huge Genshiken fan and was so excited when I first saw this book was going to be coming out. I got it as soon as it was available and since I'm such a huge Genshiken fan I'm happy I did but there's not much new info here.

The "new stories" in the book were not written by Kio Shimoku, the original author, but are really just fan fiction pieces added to the book. They are also only text, don't expect new manga or omake.

One of these newer stories does center around Sasahara and Ogiue and since she's my favorite character I did enjoy it.

The book is pretty much a review of the Genshiken universe and talks about different subjects of the otaku life and adds many scenes from the original manga to show as examples.

It does include some more detailed character sheets for most of the members along with some interesting information from the creator about why certain things were chosen, such as a characters favorite anime shows.

If your a huge fan of Genshiken I'd say it's worth the purchase but don't expect much new. If your on the fence about getting it or not, just re-read the original manga again.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genshiken: Anatomy of a Fan Base, December 30, 2008

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Genshiken Official Book (Paperback)

Exactly what makes a manga series popular?

It really is a mystery as to what makes any series popular and sell well, but behind the best selling Genshiken series, a rabid fan base lies. Precisely how rabid only Kio Shimoku has managed to explain in any logical fashion. The resulting thesis is a remarkable illustrated examination that reads like the series yet seems applicable to any fan base. Substitute north American comics for Manga, and New York or San Diego for Comic Fest and you begin to understand the similarities.

Manga has cosplay, and we have costume contests in North America. Add independant press for fanzine, and so on.

As far as the book goes, Kio discusses Newbie Orientation, Genshiken Members Unite, Love Within the Genshiken, The Otaku 10 Commandments, Required Reading, 1987 isue of Mebaetame, Unofficial Side Story, and It's a Beautiful Otaku Life. The content is illuminating to us North American readers. One strange side comment centers on the masturbation related to cosplay images. Are some North American comic books much different?

The Official Book is more than just a guide, it is a guided tour through the world of Manga led by one well versed in all its' aspects.

Highly recommended.

Tim Lasiuta

3.0 out of 5 stars Die hard Genshiken fans will adore it, but otherwise..., November 9, 2009

By 

ChibiNeko "Sooo many books, so little time!" (Whereever I go, here I am.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Genshiken Official Book (Paperback)

When I saw that this was coming out, I eagerly pre-ordered it at my bookstore. After all, a guidebook! To Genshiken! A book for otakus about a manga that is about & parodies the otaku culture! What fun!

Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot in this that I didn't already see in the manga. There's not a lot of new information added to it. The new stories are all fanfiction & are only in text. There's also not a lot of artwork in the book that I haven't already seen elsewhere. The cards that the book touted? Not actual cards, but black & white reproductions. To be fair, I wasn't really expecting a wonderful insert or anything, but I was at least expecting them to be printed in color.

The stories are nice & there is some decent information in this book, but at the same time I just couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. There's not a lot in here that you couldn't have already gotten off the internet for free... and every single bit of it is in color.

Bottom line: this is probably only good for the obsessive collectors & die-hard fans. Otherwise, I'd recommend that you save your money & borrow a friend's copy. Or just look all of the info up on the internet.