Hikaru Hayashi

"Emotionen & Mimik" is a tutorial book on drawing anime characters with vivid expressions and poses. Though it is written in German, it has enough visuals and images that anyone can use it, no matter what language they speak or read. The book features various talented artists, such as Kazuaki Morita, an artist who illustrated the game "Danganronpa", Sasa Sasaki, and Kuro Yukishiro. The different art styles can help you make your art unique, so that you don't just copy a single one. You can instead study them all and find your own style. It has three chapters, which teach about composition, shading, facial expressions, posing, perspective, and anatomy. Many of the drawings can be useful for references, as well as learning-material. Each drawing has captions and footnotes explaining the pose or emotion portrayed, which can be useful to help you visualize how to draw your characters, even if they aren't in an anime or manga style. The book can be helpful with learning German also, if you are studying this language.
My favorite part about this book was probably the excerpts in the back that talk about each artist and how they became artists. I found the sections on facial anatomy, posing, and eyes most helpful, though the other parts helped too. I think this book is something any artist could study, no matter what style they draw in. I know anime art has a bad reputation, but it still uses design and strategies used in realism and other art styles. As I previously mentioned, the drawings can be good references if you're having trouble visualizing your character(s). The book simplifies things enough for a beginner to utilize it, while maintaining advanced techniques for the experienced artist. Though it's a bit of a long read, with 192 pages to it's name, the table of contents can enable someone without the time or energy to read it to find their desired chapter. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to aspiring or successful artists, it's a good book.… (meer)

A "How To.. " book very clearly and informatively done for those who want to immerse themselves in this genre. Cover to cover with copious drawings in Hikaru Hayashi's clear unmistakeable style, it is a sensuous book just to look at, even if you were not interested in learning to draw in this way. There is of course, the inevitable 'loli' bias - inevitable in this type of art anyway; the prepubescent and youthful look taking prominent place. Observations on the difference between real women’s bodies and how to make them look more “appealing” might rankle the pure artist, but neither 'Manga' nor 'Hentai' ever pretended to be realistic. An excellent book to refer to and would complement any shelf containing this form of Japenese art.… (meer)

I second the previous review in some ways. I received the book as a gift and was excited. Once I cracked it open, art materials at the ready, I was very disappointed. The cover offers better artwork than the details and instructions inside. Having only three "races" was also disappointing. Many of the countries didn't seem to match the ethnic background that was offered. There needed to be a larger range of just African America, Asian, and Caucasian features. However, I did like the costumes. That being said, perhaps instead of studying on the characters racial features (how only three describe all countries is beyond me) the artists should have made it a book about costumes or clothes. I didn't feel the eyes, hair, skin tones and the like, were appropriate for the models country/background. If you are purchasing this book, etc. be warned they only give you three ethnic choices. The artist does try to change it up a bit by giving you interracial looks, but all he does is change the hair styles and eye colors, maybe even an eye and facial shape too. Again, there are many nice clothing choices, but do not depend on the artist's interpretation of a certain culture based on the manga character.… (meer)