Intron Depot, Volume 2: Blades [Paperback]

Masamune Shirow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 1998

Description: Masamune Shirow is the undisputed master of manga, the illustration style developed in Japan after World War II--his very name is synonymous with the genre. Masamune Shirow brings together some of Shirow's best work during the last decade, including full-color images from the new book Intron Depot 3: Ballistics. Notes: The Shirow calendar was one of our most popular titles in 2003. This year's edition should prove to be even more popular, as many of the images have not been seen before by the majority of Shirow's fan base. Japan's most famous illustrator, Masamune Shirow is a pioneer of Japanese manga and anime. These markets in the US are worth almost $600 million, an indicator of their popularity. He is the creator of the immensely popular Ghost in the Shell, which has sold millions and been translated into more than a dozen languages. The Cartoon Network will be airing Ghost in the Shell starting in February, 2003, and the feature film Ghost in the Shell II will be in theaters soon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (December 23, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569713820
• ISBN-13: 978-1569713822
• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #630,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious Work, February 24, 2002

By 

Enoptix (Game Reviewer) (Kingwood, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Intron Depot, Volume 2: Blades (Paperback)

If you're looking for inspiration look no further. Masamune Shirow displays some his most awesome (newer) works within this beautifully artistic portfolio. Wether a mere enjoyer of art, or a hardcore anime fan, I guarantee you will enjoy the vibrant colors and detailed drawing hidden within this book.

Warning: This book DOES contain suggestive nudity. I would say that this book is not intended for anyone who isn't mature enough to see it as art and not pornography.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing costume design for the fantasy girls, March 10, 2009

By 

Parka (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Intron Depot, Volume 2: Blades (Paperback)

Length:: 0:17 Mins

Masamune Shirow is the creator of Ghost in the Shell. But you won't find any concept art from that manga or anime here.

This is a large size art book containing full page coloured illustrations Masamune Shirow has created from 1992 to 1998. That includes commissions for game art, posters and other projects.

There are lots of female character illustrations done in strong manga style. Every piece is captioned to explain the project and concept.

The costume designs for the fantasy characters are extremely elaborate, detailed and unique to the point that I think is quite impossible to create in real life. That being said, the designs take away a little believability as a result.

If I am to summarize this book in a sentence, it would be this: Erotic girls in fantasy setting. The interpretation of fantasy is really out of the world.

Whether you like the book will depend on whether you like manga style.

This book was first published in 1998 and might be hard to find now.

(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting work, but only for a die-hard fan, September 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Intron Depot, Volume 2: Blades (Paperback)

Masamune Shirow is one of the most interesting and accessible manga creators with his works Appleseed and Ghost in the Shell. This is his second color art book and - while good - is not what you may expect. This book focuses on his fantasy work, not science fiction, so don't expect to see any familiar faces from his manga. I found his experiments using computer art interesting, and artists may enjoy his detailed descriptions on composition. I would recommend getting Intron Depot 1 first and waiting for 3 which is again to be science fiction pieces.