I Love Kawaii

by Charuca

Kawaii is a word that originated in 1970s Japan when schoolgirls adopted the term to describe everything cute. This word is now understood world-wide and identifies a particular trend of visual aesthetics (Hello Kitty being the most famous). Kawaii is a recognizable art form practiced by artists all over the world and covers the visual gamut from commercial art (stickers, clothing, calendars, pens, pencils, erasers, video games) to high-brow contemporary art (e.g. Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara).

Presented primarily through full page images, Charuca (a Kawaii artist herself) has curated an international collection of the most popular adorable, hilarious, and sometimes dark Kawaii art being made today. Charuca begins each chapter with a small description of the artist and her feelings towards his or her work, creating an artistic dialogue spoken mainly through the loud, brightly full-colored images that flood each page. Some of the artists she selected include:

Aranzi Aronzo
Bubi Au Yeung
Bukubuku
Charuca
Devil Robots
Hiroko Yokoyama
Itokin Park
Marichan
Meomi
Paul Shih
Ryoko
Takidoki
Yukiko Yokoo

Genres: Art, Manga, Nonfiction, Japan

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 22, 2012

Reviews

[Charlotte Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know nothing at all about kawaii art so read this on ebook through Scribd. It is basically a collection of kawaii artists, a little information about the artists and then images of the art itself. I enjoyed this, don't get me wrong, but I just found that the information was more about where the artist lives rather than their background or inspirations so that was a little disappointing.

[Yee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book consists a collection of artists with their kawaii drawings. Amazing work and beautiful illustrations. I always thought kawaii drawings only come from Japan. I wish there are more information about how they got the ideas or inspirations for their work. It will be beneficial for me so I can learn something from them.

[Natasja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book features a lot of kawaii illustrators, including some I hadn't even heard of yet. Of each artist there are about 5 full colour pages displaying their work and 1 page with a short introduction. I can really recommend I love Kawaii (^_^)b

[Melissa Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great graphics.

The book introduces one to some great kawaii artists, and the graphics are beautiful. However, a page or two on the history of kawaii art and characters would have been nice.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. I was surprised there is a Kawaii artist from Massachusetts. The only artist I am familiar with is Tokidoki; I see a lot of vinyl figures of the artist at Newbury Comics. I read this book in hope of finding inspiration for art. It did not do it for me.

[Benjamin Uke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new look into an art form I was not terribly familiar with.

[NayDoubleU · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

These were very awesome and beautifully illustrated. I really loved the Disney versions and extra points because i love tinkerbell and Alice

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I found this book I thought it would show me different types of Kawaii styles to draw, it did! But it also told me about different types of companies that do Kawaii. I found it cute and interesting.

[Kacper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not cute enough!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

kawaii!!!

[Rosi Julyetha Tobing · Rating 5 out of 5]

My inspiration~

[Miss M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick introduction to a variety of quirky Kawaii artists. A good lookbook for inspiration.

[RL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute overload!

[Gizella Caicedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hermoso de principio a fin, un libro de ilustración que desde la primera pagina inspira.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kawaiii!

[Kat Gross]

Kawaii! I love japanese mangas! They are great books.

[Francine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is varied and is given enough space to breathe (some artbooks cram way too much on one page); the descriptions are decently interesting. I'm really glad I bought this, it'll make a nice addition to my artbook collection.