“Animestyle” is the first issue of a brand new Japanese magazine dedicated to coverage on anime news and production, with focus on traditional “cel” animation. A few years back there was a similar publication called “Animation Note” that was really good but it’s no more, and there’s also the quarterly “Kikan S” magazine but that is more illustration-centric.
This first issue features Mamoru Hosoda’s ( of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars fame ) new animated film Wolf Children ( Ookami Kodomo No Ame To Yuki – Wolf Children “Rain” & “Snow” ). From the numerous reviews I’ve heard of folks who have seen it, the film is amazing.
There’s a lot of good content in here; layout boards, image boards, select background art and genga sheet, character design, and in depth interviews with the director and crew members ( in Japanese only, unfortunately. )
Do note that the feature on Wolf Children only covers about 1/2 of the book’s content; the rest of the book cover articles from other anime films like the upcoming 009 Re:Cyborg by GITS SAC director Kamiyama Kenji, amongst others.
(below) Character design is once again helmed by the venerable Sadamoto Yoshiyuki, who also worked on Hosoda-san’s earlier two films. He’s also responsible for the character design of this series of anime films with giant, lanky robots.
But wait…there’s more ! The magazine also comes with an amazing supplement with character designs for the Wolf Children film, about 80-100 pages in all. These are the actual designs that the animators use, as compared to the concept pieces shown earlier in this post.
As far as I know the complete collection of these character sheets seldom get published – but Gonzo seemed to have made an exception for Last Exile here.
Lots of great content for Mamoru Hosoda fans. If you are keen I highly recommend you pick it up asap as Japanese magazines ( periodicals ) seldom get reprints; once the first run is sold out, that’s it.
There’s also another Switch magazine special, the offical guide book and Storyboard Book available.
“Animestyle Magazine – Wolf Children Special” details :
Dimensions – 25.6 x 18.2 x 1.4 cm
Soft cover, 160 pages. Also comes with supplement booklet about 80-100 pages.
Color with some B&W sketches, in Japanese
You might also be interested in these items :
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Animestyle Magazine Issue 2 – 009 RE:CYBORG
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The Wolf Children – Mamoru Hosoda’s Upcoming Anime
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Wolf Children Art Book Review Part II : Layout, CG & More
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Wolf Children Art Book Review Part I : Background Art
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Evangelion 2.0 Mari Illustrious – Cut Magazine
July 29th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
I can’t wait to see Ame to Yuki, I’m keeping my fingers crossed it’ll premiere in the UK in the autumn – either at the British Film Festival or at Scotland Loves Anime. The BFI doesn’t screen much in terms of animations, but they did show Hoshi o Ou Kodomo last year so I’m going to be hopeful!
Very encouraging to hear that some of your friends say it is amazing!
July 30th, 2012 at 8:35 am
Your Blog Is Awesome & You’re Awesome!!
July 30th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Nice pictures. Just as expected from Anime Style magazine. I want to order a copy of Anime Style 001, but not until I get my things in order.
Pictures aside, how are the articles? Pictures are pretty, but articles worth reading? Anime magazines nowadays are all fluff and no substance.
August 2nd, 2012 at 12:51 am
alua – Lucky you ! It’s unlikely Singapore will get a general release for this film, so I’ll have to find some other way to see it. :[
h park – From what I’ve read so far the interviews with the director, sakuga director are fairly in depth and informative. I think this magazine targets a slightly more informed group of readers, including animators and artists too, which is great.