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Title:
 The Art Of Ranma ½

Distributor: Viz Media

Artist: Rumiko Takahashi

Suggested Retail Price (SRP): £18.99

Number of Pages: 112 

ISBN: 1-56931-579-5

Reviewed: 29th January 2006

Reviewer: Tom (Webmaster)
 

Being a huge Ranma ½ fan and also a collector of art books, this was one art collection that I simply had to buy.  Also when I purchased the book it was one of the few art books to be translated into English made this an essential purchase.  This had to be the greatest art book ever surely?  Sadly this was not the case. 

Although Rumiko Takahashi is a superb artist this is a disappointing collection as many of the pages contain several small images which have no order to them.  This gives the effect of a scrapbook which is odd considering this is an art book and these images should be presented in a professional manner.  Also, several images have been stretched to fill out a page and this is often noticable when looking at the jagged outline produced by the stretching. 

There is also very little insight into how Takahashi produces her work as no line-art has been included at all, normally an essential addition to any art book.  The comments from Takahashi offer a little more despite their shortness, with Takahashi giving honest opinions throughout on her work.  These comments show that she is a perfectionist, but also enjoys her work very much which is a refreshing change to the arrogant attitude many artists can have.  Takahashi does not feel her work is special and just wants it bring enjoyment to those who see it. 

Despite the lack of line-art I did still enjoy The Art Of Ranma ½, but it was still a disappointment.  Although I loved the bold pop art style of Takahashi's work, the exclusion of showing the methods that she uses made this book feel half-finished. 

Extras:

A small interview with Takahashi is included, although the questions are all about her favourite Ranma ½ rather then herself, which would have been more interesting.  Two charts are also included - one showing the vastly complex relationships of the characters of Ranma ½, the other the equally complex rivalries.  Some line-art would have been better! 

Product: Extras:
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