The true story of MIYAMOTO MUSASHI, Japan's greatest swordsman told in exciting manga form! Miyamoto Musashi was undefeated throughout his long career as a fighter and became even more famous later in life as the author of The Book of Five Rings—the bible of Japanese military strategy that is still widely read today. This book tells the incredible true story of an enigmatic man who is the greatest swordfighter in history. The exciting events recounted in this book include: Musashi's first duel at the age of 13 when he succesfully defeated a much older and more experienced swordsman The dramatic showdown at Ganryujima where Musashi bested his greatest rival, Sasaki Kojiro, and became a living legend throughout Japan His unparalleled career in fighting 61 duels without ever being defeated Why and how he wrote The Book of Five Rings later in life — a literary classic that has been read by millions of people The Real Musashi is a fast-paced, action-packed story about the most exciting figure in Japanese history, a man whose story continues to be told in countless video games and anime series.

Learn to apply basic principles of composition and perspective to make your artwork more powerful! In this unique book, author and illustrator Rui Tomono provides detailed case studies showing you how to create more compelling illustrations using the time-honored principles of composition and perspective. Follow Rui's examples, notes and tips as you learn to create dynamic compositions that will thrill readers and keep them turning the page. When you use the right perspective, framing and focal points, you lead the viewer's eye and communicate your stories in a clear and engaging way. Rui also explains how to add color to your B&W sketches to create spectacular finished artworks. The in-depth case studies in this book show you how to : Establish the point of view of an illustration correctly Position elements in a balanced way using the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, and more Express a sense of dynamic flow for moving subjects Create clearly defined foregrounds and backgrounds And much more!

A new manga adaptation of Musashi's legendary BOOK OF FIVE RINGS! Miyamoto Musashi is the greatest swordsman who ever lived. He is renowned for his fighting prowess and famous for having never having been defeated. Then he mysteriously disappeared at the relatively young age of 29 to meditate and study. This book tells the fascinating story of Musashi's return from isolation as he pens his great masterpiece on military tactics, The Book of Five Rings, and begins to train a new generation of Samurai warriors. The exciting events recounted in this book include: How and why Musashi wrote The Book of Five Rings , a revolutionary work that has become the most widely-read book on swordsmanship and Samurai strategy ever written The important lessons he provides including the idea of "no mind", or what we now call "flow", which involves endless practice emptying your mind of thoughts to move intuitively without thinking Musashi's school for young Samurai warriors where students flock to study with the great master and his final days as he passes the torch to a new generation and solidifies his legacy as Japan's greatest swordsman Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings: The Manga Edition is a beautifully-illustrated look at the life and legacy of Japan's greatest warrior in graphic novel form.

"Filled with light, satirical touches." — Donald Keene A modern classic, Botchan rivals Soseki's famous I Am a Cat in popularity in Japan. This is the funniest of Soseki's novels, a penetrating portrait of a young man's quest to survive the suffocating hypocrisy of everyone around him while remaining true to his beliefs. Reckless but unfailingly honest, Botchan is the youngest son in a middle-class Tokyo family. Following his graduation from college, he takes a job as a math teacher on the island of Shikoku, far from the city. Thrust into this alien small-town environment, Botchan encounters nothing but trouble from his students and fellow teachers. Among his tormentors are the pompous, two-faced vice-principal; his fawning sidekick—the art teacher; the spineless principal; and a pack of brawny, prankster students — all of whom seem out to get him. Mayhem ensues, but in the end Botchan prevails through honesty and dogged determination. Recommended for readers ages 14 and up due to explicit language

A timeless psychological study of a young man's deep alienation from society. Set in the early 20th century, Kokoro opens with a chance encounter on a beach near Tokyo that irrevocably links a young student to a man he simply calls Sensei (Teacher). Intrigued by Sensei's aloofness, the student calls upon him with increasing frequency. Eventually, Sensei and his beautiful wife open their home and their lives to him. Only later does the student learn the devastating secret that has haunted Sensei since his youth. Kokoro has sold millions of copies in Japan where it is taught in schools and is a perennial favorite. Its lucid prose and universal themes of friendship, betrayal and the struggle for meaning in a changing world have made it popular internationally as well. This English-language manga version will make the book accessible to a new generation of foreign readers. The manga includes depictions of suicide and may not be suitable for some readers.

Learn to create amazing kemonomimi with realistic animal features and matching accessories! Long, swishing tails and pointy animal ears or maybe antlers, horns, wings and feathers if you prefer—this is the ultimate furry handbook for manga and anime artists as well as cosplay enthusiasts. Choose your favorite animal then fuse its salient features with a fabulous human form and animal-specific clothing. Shugao shows you how! She teaches you to combine authentic animal details with original fashions to create new and exciting characters. And she provides hundreds of amazing examples, including : A hip-hop horse hybrid with a puffy coat, tousled mane and horseshoe sneakers A goth dobermann girl draped in black satin with a punk hairdo and dog muzzle A not-so-cowardly lion showing off his wild mane and tufted tail A cool cowgirl with a lasso tail and ten-gallon hat that sits atop her horns A long-legged lamb with an eared cap—his fuzzy fleece tied with a bell And hundreds of other fabulous character ideas! Whether you're inspired by furry characters or looking for a way to draw authentic kemonomimi, this is the book you have to get!

The complete backstory of Japanese cuisine explained in richly illustrated manga style! This book explores the fascinating history, lore and practice of Japanese cooking through the eyes of Manabu, a young man who aspires to become a professional Japanese chef. Each chapter presents a new set of topics which help the reader to appreciate the great depth and complexity of Japan's amazing food culture. Dozens of mini essays with hundreds of charming color illustrations and photos explain: The importance of fundamental ingredients like rice, soybeans, seaweed and fish The beauty of traditional utensils including lacquer ware, ceramics and knives The key role played by fermented ingredients like miso, soy sauce and sake in Japanese cooking The history of sushi, which developed from a traditional method of preserving fish The concept of "umami" as one of just seven flavors that can be detected by the human tongue How all these elements come together in a multicourse Kyoto-style Kaiseki dinner There is even a quiz at the end so you can see how much you've learned along the way!

A classic of Japanese literature, brought to life in English & manga for the first time! This is the first manga edition in English of The Setting Sun, Osamu Dazai's classic novel, often considered his masterpiece. Set in the aftermath of World War II, this is the story of Kazuko, a strong-willed young woman from an aristocratic family that has fallen into poverty since the war. The book follows Kazuko's journey as she and her family struggle to survive and adapt to the harsh new conditions. In addition to having to move from Tokyo to the countryside, where she is forced to work in the fields to support the family, she has to deal with a difficult divorce, the birth of a stillborn child, and the return of her drug-addicted brother from the war. This gripping and inspiring portrait of one woman's determination to survive in a society that is in the grip of a social and moral crisis tells one story in a fast-changing world, with universal themes that resonates with readers today. After Soseki Natsume, Osamu Dazai is Japan's most popular writer. Dazai is enjoying a surge in interest among young people today thanks to the success of the manga, anime and film series Bungo Stray Dogs, whose protagonist, a detective named Osamu Dazai, is based on the real-life author. **Recommended for readers ages 16+ due to mature themes and graphic content**

The ultimate fashion bible for manga and anime artists! Create realistic-looking outfits and one-of-a-kind looks for your manga and anime characters, or design amazing creations for any cosplay event. Author Rabimaru is Japan's leading fashion illustrator and she teaches you how to develop your own unique manga fashion vocabulary! In this comprehensive fashion sourcebook, you'll learn to create an array of stunning outfits including stylish separates and original ensembles. Rabimaru then shows you how to add realistic details, folds, creases, contours and shadows that will make your characters truly come alive! From casual classics to high fashion, The Ultimate Guide to Manga Fashion does it all—in style! Streetwear and basics from T-shirts and hoodies to the frilliest of skirts Business and formalwear for polished professionals and fashionistas School uniforms and sailor suits for casual cosplay inspiration Sneakers, shoes and accessories to complete each look Whether you're looking to develop your own signature style or to design an eye-catching costume for a cosplay event, this is the one guide you'll definitely want to have!

"When I tie up my hair, it feels like I'm wearing a new pair of shoes." A young woman is out in the world for the first time, living on her own. When she decides to tie up her hair one day, she embarks on a journey of small, almost imperceptible but important changes. Relationships develop, problems emerge and decisions are made. As the year progresses and she navigates the ins and outs of daily life, she also discovers new ways of styling her hair. Because nothing stays the same—and sometimes, changing your hairstyle can have a deep impact on your life. In twelve sensitive episodes, this charming coming-of-age novel includes step-by-step instructions for each hairstyle our heroine wears. For young people influenced by K-pop, K-beauty and K-drama, it introduces the Korean concept of so-hak-hang—the belief that small pleasures like a movie night with friends, painting your nails or trying a new hairstyle are a simple but reliable means of finding true joy.

"If Britons have Harry Potter and Americans have Percy Jackson, we Filipinos have Janus Silang." —Bongbong Books Review Following a grisly encounter with the Tiyanak, an evil creature from Philippine folklore, Janus Silang realizes that nothing in his life will ever be the same again. He and his family are now the targets of a powerful force that must be destroyed. Janus and his friends escape to Kalibutan, where the Tiyanak cannot follow. There, he searches for Tala, the Tiyanak's goddess twin and the only being with the power to defeat it. This quest leads him again to the word of online gaming, where to his great dismay he discovers that he is not the only one seeking her! The second volume in the Janus Silang series, Janus Silang and the Struggle for Kalibutan is adapted from the award-winning novel by Edgar Calabia Samar, one of Asia's best-known writers and multiple winner of the Philippine National Book Award.

The complete manga, anime and video game "art school" course for beginners! The Complete Guide to Drawing Manga & Anime offers a structured 13-week lesson plan that is typically found in professional drawing classes. With 65 detailed lessons arranged into 13 weekly topics, it's simple to learn the essentials and then progress to higher levels. You can create your own personalized learning experience as the structured lessons can be followed in sequence on a strict daily schedule or as an easy learn-at-your-own-pace course. With a hybrid focus this book offers skills for both digital and traditional artists learning to create manga and anime. This book's unique progressively structured lessons offer: Essential basic instructions on drawing bodies, clothes, facial expressions, movements and poses with 3D composition for animation Hundreds of sample illustrations and full-color examples that make it easy to learn Detailed lessons that teach poses, dress styles and life-like expressions that match each character's personality Star ratings for each lesson that indicate difficulty and allow the aspiring artist to follow and understand their own learning progress Professional tips and tricks that make learning fun and memorable Free downloadable practice materials, templates and guides The Complete Guide to Drawing Manga & Anime offers all the essential information needed to acquire basic drawing skills—creating a solid foundation for future learning!

Create one-of-a-kind outfits with this essential guide to Japanese-style fantasy fashion! Using the authors' unique Costume Matrix, you will learn how to develop new and daring designs for your anime and manga characters and cosplay creations. First, choose a look to serve as your fashion foundation. Then select an alternate style and fuse it with the first fashion theme to create an unexpected ensemble combining elements have never before been seen together! Mixing and matching basic themes and styles in this way results in one-of-a-kind mashups and hybrids, for example: School Uniforms & Military Apparel Casual Basics & Gothic Formal Wear Japanese Fashion & Folk Costumes Plant Motifs & Animal Motifs Nature Motifs & Mechanical Objects Seasonal Motifs & all of the above! Using the Costume Matrix, the fashion mashup possibilities are endless! Here are just some of the unique combos made possible by applying the Costume Matrix technique: A Folk Costume crossed with a snake motif that results in a Scheherazade vixen with veils transforming into slinky scarf-like vipers! A Gothic Lolita paired with a Rabbit for a fun and furry character with fuzzy paws for boots and a crazy carrot-top hairdo! A Sailor Girl School Uniform combined with a Female Ninja fighting outfit—with a throwing star as the perfect accessory! A mashup of Casual Basics and Plant Motifs creates a head-turning Sunflower Girl complete with a green-leaf collar and flared-petal skirt Fantasy Costumes for Manga, Anime & Cosplay presents over 55 fantasy fashion mashup examples and provides you with the key to designing your own totally original characters and styles!

Part human, part animal — all fantastic! Veteran illustrator Ryo Sumiyoshi stretches the boundaries of fantasy human-animal hybrids in his new book—presenting not just the usual jungle beasties but a fascinating array of strange and unusual creatures found nowhere else! Sumiyoshi's extensive sketchbook ideas, drawing tips and full-color examples combine insights on body structures and movement with conceptual sketches and notes linking physical attributes to personality and behavior. The hundreds of drawings in this book show you how to create a rich menagerie of fantasy characters: Anthropomorphic furries based on the classic dog, cat, fox and werewolf-type characters Humans with animal features like a hunter with a bushy tail and the crafty face of a cat Animals with human features, for example a six-legged tiger with a human face Animal-to-animal hybrids including a snake-fox and a griffinesque chimera These creatures boast mix-and-match fangs, beaks, paws, claws, fur, fins, feathers, scales and plates paired with expressive human attributes. And they come from every branch of the animal kingdom—from mammals to birds, reptiles, fish and insects—and everything in between. This is the ultimate sourcebook for anyone interested in fantasy creature design!

The complete guide to amazing digital illustration techniques! Are you an animator, an illustrator, a designer? Or an artist working in multiple digital fields at once? If so, this is the book for you! Manga & Anime Digital Illustration Guide takes you inside the studios of 12 professional Japanese artists and animators. In this book, you will learn the techniques used by the pros to draw and design characters for a variety of commercial and creative platforms. Follow the step-by-step lessons to learn how to create amazing characters and illustrations, and forge your own pathway in the world of creative careers Learn the pro techniques for a wide variety of modern applications, such as: Smartphone apps, anime films and video games Posters, covers, advertisements and special effects Fan art and fantasy fiction illustrations Illustrated books, manga and graphic novels Pull up a chair for this collection of private tutorials and let the experts show you how they work. Learn the tips and techniques that lead to unforgettable illustrations!

Bring your manga to life with awesome action, powerful poses, body basics: IT'S ALL HERE! Learn the essentials of manga drawing from professional Japanese illustrators, and let them show you how to tell better stories with your manga art. Start with anatomy and body structure to create compelling characters in a few simple head-to-toe steps. Then it's time to build your world and tell your story. With this all-in-one guide, your characters, drawing, and storytelling abilities will quickly soar! In this book you'll learn not only the basics, but the insider tips and secrets only the professionals know. You'll also learn to avoid common pitfalls and overcome obstacles that might otherwise lessen the impact of your work and prevent you from becoming a successful artist! Here are just some of the features of this practical handbook: A complete art course in one volume—from anatomy and body structure to facial features and expressions, clothing and accessories, action poses and narrative techniques A guide to world-building and storytelling in the authentic Japanese manga style Two professional Japanese illustrators share their expertise in figure drawing and composition as well as two- and three-dimensional design and perspective Hundreds of dynamic examples and tips show you how to master the details that make a difference and the effects that can elevate your work to another level Over 1,000 color illustrations help to guide you on your path to becoming a better artist! Drawing Manga gives you the tips and tools you need to develop your skills and tell the stories you want to tell effectively— just like the pros! *Recommended for artists 16 & up*

Learn to draw expressive faces to communicate thoughts, feelings and emotions! Drawing characters with realistic facial expressions is a challenging and critical skill for every manga artist and storyteller. Drawing Manga Faces & Expressions is an invaluable practical guide for illustrators who wish to bring their drawing skills to the next level! This book contains over 175 detailed step-by-step lessons and 1,200 drawings, with practical advice and helpful tips on every page. The tutorials covered in this comprehensive guide include: How to draw realistically consistent faces from every possible angle How to draw attractive eyes, noses, mouths, ears and hairlines for any age or gender How to apply shading to make your characters' faces appear three-dimensional How to express emotions like joy, anger, fear, surprise, sadness, wonder, confusion and calm And so much more!

This complete guide provides lessons and insights from 100 professional artists! Imagine an art class taught by 100 professional Japanese manga and anime illustrators. In much the same way, this essential guide gathers the collective knowledge, tips and techniques from over 100 anime and manga artists. The lessons cover everything from the basics of figure drawing and posing to advanced cutting-edge digital illustration and coloration techniques. The 200 step-by-step lessons include: Anatomy and body structure Facial features and expressions Drawing clothing and accessories Digital painting and coloration techniques Composition and narrative structure And much more! Learn to Draw Exciting Anime & Manga Characters features full-color examples that focus on the fine details as well as the big-picture, broad-stroke basics. With over 600 sample illustrations to guide the reader, this book offers tips and techniques for traditional hand-drawing and digital design alike. This is the anime and manga drawing guide that all aspiring artists need!