Product Description: The work of artist Osamu Tezuka has been as influential in Japan as that of Walt Disney in the US. His most famous character, Astro Boy, guides the reader through this book on the fundamentals of animation. The focus is on mastering movement, timing, and expression-the keys to bringing anime characters to life. This book is filled with step-by-step instructions on how to depict weight, walking speed, dynamic action, and effects like fire and water. The concepts are all taken from Tezuka's works and have his particular stylistic mark. Become a master by mastering the basics!
A much better How to book on Japanese Animation This book has very good references on figures in motion though the Cutesy Character Astroboy may throw people off. I have to admit this book beats that mediocre "How to Draw Manga Making Anime" book on any given day! Yes I still have that book(though worn from use and abuse) I like flipping through it whenever I am bored and it helped me identify common techniques used in Japanese animation and the book mentions the tools used in cel animation however cel animation is practically obsolete but the techniques haven't changed only the tools. This book covers what is most important to animation and that is the techniques of bringing your characters to life but nowhere near as good as Tony White's Animator's Workbook or Preston Blair Cartoon Animation this book is a very nice supplement to those tomes.
Don't dismiss books on traditional animation because they do not mention Flash and other well-known Animation software it is not the software that creates the animation but the animator.
One of the best and cheapest animation books. Some people have given this book less than positive reviews, well i think this is a great book that has some real information in it(unlike some drawing and animation books). This book gives a general prep, and tips on animation. It also pays special attention to walkcycles which is very usefull.
No good I have seen better amination books I would not recomend this book for a animation class.
The only animation book from wer you can really learn. Illusion of life Disney Animation( that I rate it -0 with 0 stars), and some other animation books. But the Tezuka school of animation books are the best ones, you can see all the details of the animation making, the walking with all the steps and in all angles, the jumps, the talk, and everything to be a great animator in no time. I definetly recommend this book over all other books, this is a must have. Don't commit the mistakes of buy others books that are not from Tezuka learning school. See the previews and find more info if you want. Just respect yourself and your money, buy this one.
Astro Boy's a cute 'lil guide... Anime fans doing animation courses can get it a little tough here in the UK. The style just isn't popular enough and as much as I admire walt disney, it's a shame he stereotyped the genre as a kids-only zone. Interesting I should say that, as Tezuka is often hailed as the Japanese walk Disney (up there with such greats as Mamoru Osamu and Hayao Miyazaki.)
Even for non anime fans, the walk cycles remain basically the same and this was a simple and understandable guide that gave you all the basics nessecary for various cycles, whether you use anime as a style or not. I mean, heck, I just made an entire SKIP CYCLE! SKIPPING!
Not a great deal of information, but ideal for anyone just starting out with basic walk cycles and animation terchniques. Not a bad job, though it could've had a little more info. The book is probably better suited for younger people with an interest in the genre but hey, this nineteen year old ain't complaining.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Not Available Comics
Trevor
