Customer Reviews

How NOT To Draw Manga Supersize Special (How to Draw Manga)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Firstly, don't think that you're getting something similar to the title that this book spoofs - this book gives almost NO technical information about drawing. That's not the point of this book, and it makes that point clear.

Neither is this book meant to be a the final source on how manga-style comics should be done. It's a spoof, a parody, a satire. It pokes fun at what the manga genre is today, and it pokes fun at itself.

What this book does do is it provides a fresh, funny look at Japanese comics, and the stereotypes they often follow. Caricatures of the artists/writers lead the reader on a journey of several aspects of manga, from everything from the absurd and often-used plotlines to the asinine and overdriven sexuality found too often in the comics. All of this is done in a humorous light, through crude but still well-done drawings that fit the book's tone.

For anyone who says that there is nothing to be learned from this book, there is PLENTY, though it's all presented in same way as the its off-hand humor. From repeatedly sticking generic protagonist "Guy Iconic" in the hero role of every mini-story, to the characters playing "Samurai Shodown" to research their historic period comic, this book is loaded with pitfalls that often befall would-be manga-style comikers. "Come up with fresh characters!" "Do REAL research!" Things that may seem obvious but are overlooked by mangaka hopefuls all the time.

This book definitely isn't for everyone. It was written by a group of guys who had something to say about the mediocrity and lack of originality of manga today. They put what they had to say in the form of a comic -- a snarky, quirky one at that. It won't help you draw manga any better than you did before you bought it, but it'll give you several things to think about in the creation of your own. Plus, you'll have fun reading this along the way.

It's very true that it's helpful. By reading the six main characters profiles and exmaining them you can find almost every character in an story. By using this book and a little thought you can prevent yourself from becoming a second-rate rip-off or sterotype. The world doesn't need another Pokemon/Yugi-O, we need original designs.
I can unerstand the need for a comfort zone, but also the need to think. Break free of the chains of mediocrity and create an original character! I don't know how man Goukous and Gukos I can take anymore.

"While maybe this book isn't the best out there it IS TOTALLY SWEET ANYWAYS - so if you don't like it, you can go straight to hell!"

This is a good example of what How NOT to Draw Manga represents. While the common theme of "How [insert common phrase here] Manga" books is that they break down simple and obvious examples into even MORE simple and obvious step-by-step tutorials, that is not the theme of THIS book.

Instead, you are checking into what is more of a manga (weak-minded westerners read: comicbook) than a how-to-draw technical book. It takes the most common stereotypes of manga and makes them even more abundantly stereotypical in haphazardly-drawn and completely rediculous ways. There is a lot of 20/30-year old "man humor" that involves women, alcohol, proliferant swearing and - you guessed it - being B.A.!

The contents of the manga include:
- Why the manga industry sucks
- Your favorite character stereotypes
- How to enhance your boring characters with stereotypical items
- How to perfect "the panty shot"
- Stereotyped genres (Sci-Fi and Traditional)
- How to make people look like mechs
- How to make your mechs SEXY
- A picture of C3P0 doing the robot and R2D2 saying "Shizzle Dizzle"

If you aren't interested by now... then go read your latest Shonen Jump! Otherwise, this might be your #1 manga (that is, until you get into the next latest and greatest slice of life story...)

Despite the title, How NOT to Draw Manga actually teaches nothing about NOT drawing manga. Instead, it highlights the most common features theoretically found in the most popular manga but--because the creators are trying to promote originality--does not actually provide concrete examples as proof. The facts presented rely entirely on the reader's own prior knowledge of manga to make the jokes work, but mine must be more limited than I was aware, as I could only think of one or two manga serials that fit the proposed stereotypes.

The book is written as a cynical "preaching to the choir" diatribe about how manga (and anime) serials are often mass-produced as though from a cookie-cutter but, despite pointing out the many repeated themes in manga, fails to actually teach anything about how to be ORIGINAL, or even why originality is superior to "tried-and-true." There are many ways to "not draw" in the manga style, but ironically the book fails to teach this. Even the characters admit that original ideas more often than not have a difficult time taking off. Why? Because people like familiar things and, even as formulaic as manga can get, fans enjoy seeing what works. Was the idea to make a completely ironic and self-defeating book? If not, I'm not so sure I get it.

If anything, How NOT to Draw Manga would better be used as a Cliffs Notes for manga and anime, demonstrating the similarities between many popular titles that, in their prime, were considered to be quite *gasp!* ORIGINAL. Is How NOT to Draw Manga simply a case of sour grapes? Maybe, but don't pick up this book if you think you'll learn how not to draw manga.

As my title says, DON'T BUY this book if you're looking to learn how to draw manga. This book teaches you NOTHING. I'll repeat, you will LEARN NOTHING! You have been warned.

This book is nothing more than a collection of drawings thrown together... some examples here, some rough sketches here, some panty shots there, some more panty shots there... etc etc. This book is claimed to be a dirty and humorous take on drawing manga and whatnot. It's really just an excuse to be funny and silly. The drawings are pretty pathetic. Also, there is NO color whatsoever (except on the cover).

I advised you, if you want to learn how to draw manga, pick up the "Learn How to Draw, Supersize Compilation 1, 2 and 3" first. Then pick up some other popular learn-how-to-draw books posted on Amazon. If you are finally comfortable with your drawing technique (and have a ton of cash leftover), then purchase this book for fun and leisure. I hope that helped. I was seriously duped into thinking that I could "learn" something from this book, but I didn't.

for love of gawd people this is a freaking spoof, the title its self says it all. it's basically making fun of manga, damn learn to laugh at yourselves, geez you guys give us all a bad name.

DAMN FAN-BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!

This book is great. A very funny, irreverant look at a manga!