The second of the Rumiko Takahashi art books to get a Western release, The Art of Inu-Yasha is more like it.

This is one meaty book, weighing in at 160 pages, and it makes the earlier Art of Ranma 1/2 look tiny by comparison.  Printed right to left, the same as the original Japanese release, the book is packed with Takahashi's fun watercolour paintings and covers both the anime and manga versions of the story.  Containing anime/manga comparisons, huge amounts of series information - including a glossary of characters and items, line drawings, preliminary sketches and even interviews with the creator, cast and voice actors, this is by far the most comprehensive reference book available for any of Takahashi's works.  One of the best English translated art books available, this is a must buy for any fan of the series and any fan of Takahashi's excellent artwork.

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The first of the excellent 'Studio Ghibli: The Art' series of books to be translated to English for a Western release, The Art of Spirited Away is the best anime art book available in the West.

A straight translation of the Japanese release, the book is further improved by being published in hardback here.  Filled to the brim with production sketches, film stills, watercolour paintings, line art and background paintings the book is visually stunning, but the information it gives is what makes it essential.  Containing an introduction by Miyazaki, various notes on the art, a section about the use of CGI in the film and, as the crowning glory, the full script to the film in English, the book gives an unrivalled insight into the making of the film.  By far the best piece of merchandise available for the Oscar winning film, and also the best translated art book available.

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Another collaboration from Helen McCarthy and Jonathan Clements, and another awesome reference book.

Focusing not only on Hentai (pornographic anime), but also on the erotic elements of more mainstream series and films, The Erotic Anime Movie Guide is an in depth and mature study of the use of eroticism in anime and its success in other countries.  Listing anime in a similar manner to The Anime Encyclopaedia, but going into more depth on the series and films featured, the guide also provides much insight into Japanese culture and society, and focuses chapters on the history of anime and the changing opinions of the Japanese.  One of the few anime reference books to focus on a particular subject, the guide keeps its focus throughout and provides an informative view on a subject often seen as taboo.

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In Japan there are art books available for almost all anime, manga and computer games, but of them all the Ghibli ones are the most consistently excellent.

Released under the Ghibli 'The Art' label and also as Animage 'Staff Editions', there are art books available for all the major Ghibli films, and even the pre-Ghibli Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.  All of these books are excellent, packed with film stills, production sketches, watercolour paintings, promotional images and information (although mainly in Japanese), and are printed on glossy paper with a textured flycover.  Containing images that give more insight to the creative processes behind the films, and often giving examples on how certain shots were put together, the series is a must buy.

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One of the most successful and talented animators of all time, the works of Hayao Miyazaki are recognised worldwide as masterpieces.

As a well known fan of Miyazaki, Helen McCarthy could have made this book into an overenthusiastic promotion of his works.  However, she once again proves her talent by providing an impartial and in depth analysis of his major films, including plot descriptions, critical opinions, information on their creation and masses of trivia.  She also gives a history of Studio Ghibli, an in depth filmography and biography for Miyazaki and even a section on the production of anime.  With all sources credited and a great enthusiasm for his work evident throughout, McCarthy makes yet another extremely well researched and essential anime reference book, and another that is well worth owning.

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One of the first things you notice about the superbly original Serial Experiments Lain is Yoshitoshi ABe's fantastic artwork.  So what could be better than a book full of it?

This amazing hardback book comes in a protective plastic sleeve and is packed full of ABe's distinctive artwork.  Complete with production sketches, full colour paintings, typically bizarre prose (in English and Japanese) and even a full colour manga (sadly in Japanese), the presentation and content of the book cannot be faulted.  Containing pictures of every character in the anime, promotional art for the series and also artwork for the soundtracks and Playstation console game this is an essential purchase for any fan of either the series or the art of Yoshitoshi ABe.

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Although part of Studio Ghibli's excellent 'The Art' series, the Nausicaä Watercolour book is deserving of a special mention.

Covering both the anime and manga versions of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, this book is filled with some of the finest watercolour paintings you will ever see.  Although the text is in Japanese, the artwork, which includes full page paintings, production sketches and some curios, is the real reason to buy this.  Creating evocative and beautiful images of the principal characters, Miyazaki's art is simply breathtaking, and manages to convey the feel of the story and provides visions of most of the important moments.  A slightly larger size than the other Ghibli art books, the images in this book makes it worth making your bookshelf look uneven.