Customer Reviews

Manga Mania: Shonen: Drawing Action-Style Japanese Comics

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

 

 

Not only is this the first book I've seen focused solely on the Japanese shonen, but it is extremely well done. Well written and massive amount of step by step drawings, demonstrating the simple steps to create amazing characters. Starting with the basic drawing of the head with great mood expressions, moving on to the body (posture & action included) followed by the numerous individual types of personalities & characters make this book the best drawing guide/companion I've had in a long time. I highly recommend this book.

Wanna learn how to draw Manga? Buy this book.

The bottom line for a book like this is, can you learn to draw? My answer is yes, and I did.
You can see the drawings here: [...]
I've done 8 so far, since I bought the book, 2 weeks ago.

Chris does a great job. I'm going to buy another of his books.

Disclaimer: I don't know Chris, nor am I a professional artist (as you'll see by my drawings!)

Thanks,
Jim G.
Elmhurst, IL

Thought this book bears Christopher Hart's name it doesn't contain any of his art, not a big deal since 90% of the contributing artists are great.
Feels more like a "coffee table book" than a "how to book", but then again it never really claims to be a how to book.

I have just recently come to the realization that 80% of "how to books" in the market all follow the same approach to "supposedly" teaching you how to draw...its a poor approach that unintentionally encourages you to copy and produce flat lifeless work. This book is no different, don't get me wrong the art is great and the character designs are cool, but the tutorials are poor and don't really get into any real detail or cover any basic structures of drawing (save for the head), then again its not a "beginners guide" but it would be nice to have a all in one book.
Its also covers some page design and a few other subjects.

I suppose its a great "ideas" book since it covers a wide range of "Shonen" inspired characters. But in my opinion if you really want to learn how to capture the action of "Manga" try Michael D. Mattesi's "FORCE: Dynamic life drawing for animators"

The book is supposed to be giving cliche'd character designs because it is good to know the fundamentals before people break off into complex personalities. I liked most of the art style, I think obviously an art book should be allowed to judge it's content by the talent. It covers some good points about action such as the center of gravity and portraying ongoing actions with a still drawing.

If you are interested in stepping into fighting-styled comics it doesn't really hurt to look.