Touhou Project Tribute Art book in Akihabara
Following my almost four hour hike in Kamakura, I stopped by Akihabara because I knew that it was going to rain all weekend. To my surprise, Tora no Ana (a Japanese Doujin store), was advertising and selling a hefty new art book.
I am making this article to talk a little bit about it as well as to give you a look at the funny and cute tarot cards that are included with it.
This article is a figure.fm exclusive, but one of my Kamakura articles is already up if you want to check it out.
It is the final part of my Elfen Lied Anime Pilgrimage article. A project that I have been obsessing over off and on for 2 years. ^^;
http://punynari.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/sasuke-inari-the-elfen-lied-shrine/
If you walk by Tora no Ana in Akihabara today, you can see this new art book being advertised proudly in their front window.
Here is what the front looks like. There is actually an art book and extra inside of this cardboard slip. Love the extra protection!
And here is the reversed side of the "slip". On the wrapping tape, that is almost always on Japanese art books, you can see a list of some of the artists featured in this book.
Reimu is proudly displayed on the cover of the actual art book. She looks ready to go to a festival.
On the 14th of this month, there will be a Touhou festival in Tokyo Big Sight. That's probably why Tora no Ana timed this books release the way they did.
The reversed side of the art book cover is Yukari.
The actual art book is enormous. 95 pages of solid art work. Not one page is wasted.
Due to the quantity of images in this book and their availability on scan sites, I decided to just post a few of the ones that made me smile.
Sanae looks so hot in this one. :3
And another.
Images are fairly large as well and cover many different artists that illustrated Touhou characters throughout the years.
It's my favorite Touhou art book so far, easily. You can't beat 95 pages of art work with no interviews in between. ^_^
Just because the art book is a bit too big to fully review on figure.fm (would take 2 or 3 articles ^^;), that doesn't mean I can't show you all some kind of a preview.
Included with the Touhou Project Tribute Arts book is a pack of Touhou themed Tarot cards.
I laughed out loud with this one. The fool.
Should be number 9 though.
The magician, Alice.
In the bottom left of each card, you can see the artist's name who drew them.
The High Priestess.
She misses nothing.
The Empress
And princess of the moon.
The Emperor
If you like the illustrations on these tarrot cards, you will be happy to know that each illustration is featured full sized in the art book.
The Hierophant
I grew up in a very religious family, so this is my first tarrot card deck. They were prohibited from my house as a witchcraft item.
The Lovers
Good choice for this card, but I can think of a couple I'd like to see there more.
The Chariot
I actually captured her second to last spell card for the first time yesterday on normal. ^_^
Strength
These were taken with my camera. Sorry if a few turned out a bit blurry. ^^;
The Hermit
I laughed out loud for this one. You will get more out of these cards if you're familiar with each of the character's quirks.
Wheel of Fortune
This one looks like Final Fantasy art work to me. The style I mean.
Justice
Reimu, the character who I own the most figures of. ^^;
The Hanged Man
^^;
Death
Looking forward to Griffon's new figure of her. :3
Temperance
The Devil
Might be an old artwork but it's still cool.
The Tower
I smiled for this choice. So perfect.
The Star
Very cute Marisa. :3
The Moon
Udonge and Tewi
The Sun
Such perfect choices. ^^
Judgment
The World ^^
Hope you enjoyed this review, although I didn't really show everything this book has to offer. To do so would take 2 or 3 more articles. ^^; It is worth your time though if you happen to be in Japan and can pick one up from Tora no Ana.
http://www.toranoana.jp/mailorder/article/04/0010/19/14/040010191464.html
The book is available on Tora no Ana's site but you will need a third party to help you if you do not live in Japan.
Punynari Score: 4.8 out of 5 If it came with a pre-removed poster, I would have given a perfect score. Very nice though.
Also, there is another review out but of the art book only. I didn't know that this book actually came out in 2009 during comiket. It's the first time I've seen it. ^^;
http://www.pireze.org/blog/?p=13630
Hah nice tarot cards. I'd want a set.
It's... beautiful. Pity it'll be such a pain t get hold of really because I really want it =|.
Damned,i want this so much,but i don't know where to find it in my neck of the woods
Sanae looks really cute!! ^_^
My fav is The Moon and The Devil.
I want the art book! and Sanae too!! XD
I want this book so badly.
Very amazing illustrations!