Colorful Dreams

by VOFAN (Illustrator)

Colorful Dreams features full color illustrations by VOFAN the main illustrator of the Monogatari Series. From VOFAN, the star illustrator of the Monogatari series of novels written by NISIOISIN, comes a full-color artbook of his best personal works. Praised by the fans around the world as “The Magician of Light and Shadow from Taiwan”, VOFAN is famous for using a vibrant art style combined with unique camera techniques in his art. As the main illustrator for NISIOISIN’s novel series for over a decade, VOFAN has illustrated more than 30 book covers and has created dozens of original character designs. Beside his extensive illustration works for NISIOISIN, VOFAN has illustrated magazine covers such as Famitsu and Fancy Frontier Magazine. VOFAN is also the main character designer for the popular Playstation 3 RPG Time and Eternity.

Genres: Art, Graphic Novels, Manga, Comics, Nonfiction

95 pages, paperback

Published October 29, 2019

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I preordered this, I expected nothing more than an artbook of VOFAN's work. Instead this is a graphic novel of short stories that are like love songs to Taiwan. I really enjoyed my time with this book, and glad I took my time truly letting myself being engrossed by each story and the art. The writing isn't super deep or even at length, but it doesn't need to be. If you loved VOFAN's artwork from the Monogatari series, this graphic novel is something you won't want to miss.

[Cindy Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this beautiful book today while browsing at the bookstore. Experiencing this book was like being on a tour inside an artist's mind. I loved its experimental nature, and the fact that each illustrated short story (4 pages each) felt exactly like what the title promises, "Colorful Dreams". Each one starts with a photograph, and brief intro, and then it transitions into graphic art with a mini story. He also explains the inspiration behind each story directly after you finish reading it, and most of them caused me to go back and reread them after understanding the context. The artwork is imaginative, colorful, and causes you to pause to really take everything in - it is truly stunning. The subject matter varies - most of the stories are slice of life accounts of different experiences the artist had in Taiwan such as waiting for the bus, visiting a cafe, or walking down a back alley; he focuses on the aspects of each of these venues that spark his imagination (ex. aliens visiting the quiet cafe located in a back alley). At the end, we are also treated to two interviews with the artist about his creative process and work. If you are a fan of graphic novels or short stories, I think you will enjoy this work.

[Gaelan D'costa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard one for me to evaluate.

I admittedly come to this work as a fan of the Monogatari series, which is incredibly unfair, because it has its own signature that should not be used as a benchmark.

The stories here are not bombastic, but soft, and mundane. And originally I found that really boring.

But what got me was in fact the author's little paragraphs at the end of each one, talking about the inspiration behind each, and what the author was musing about. And I started thinking about the stories as the result of that thinking process, of trying to slow time down and capture it in everyday moments.

And with that I enjoyed it a lot more. It is a good for for discussing the praxis of things. I enjoyed the interviews at the end of the book, where the author talks about their work and their journey. In some ways the stories were merely the vehicle of that for me.

And I'm to meditate on this mental framework of trying to capture specific moments and place an aesthetic onto them.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is absolutely beautiful. The art is amazing and the stories are short but thought-provoking. So many good ones here but I think my favourite is A Cafe, where robots/monsters come to have coffee at a practically deserted cafe.

[ｅｌｌｉｅ · Rating 3 out of 5]

short but sweet, the art was beautiful

[Irene MacLennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, with sweet stories and poetry!

[Emmy Beville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing. I love the art and the short stories.

[Addicted2booksStefania · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 | My only complaint is there wasn't more!! VOFAN is the kind of person I would love to have a conversation with.

[Valentina Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

My take on Colorful Dreams.

Aesthetically beautiful. It’s actually a great idea to show your complete illustration as your poems and the short stories are tagged along.

[Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of short stories in graphic novel format, Colorful Dreams showcases some of the early talents of VOFAN. There's an explanation for each story after the last panel, and it helps to explain some of the artwork. Colorful Dreams also showcases a little of the life in Taiwan. It's a nice, breezy read through some incredible CG artwork.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the cover, it says the stories in this collection will be "romantic". Because of that, I was expecting a bunch of short, colorful love stories. What I got was a true and honest love for Taiwan.
In each of these vividly illustrated stories, some aspect of Taiwan is brought about in lush colors always ending with a sweet surprise. Whether it's simply sitting on a bus or taking pictures in a fire alley, there's so much to discover and appreciate about the city and the author is clearly intoxicated with it.
Colorful Dreams is something you can read in less than an hour if you're looking for a quick read. What will stay with you are the gorgeous designs and the spirit captured within each short tale.

[Jin · Rating 3 out of 5]

~Recensione~
Più che un artbook "Colorful Dreams" si rivela essere una raccolta di mini racconti illustrati legati alla terra di origine dell'autore Taiwan e che presentano ambientazioni dal sentore nostalgico. Tutte le piccole storie presentano una spiegazione e alla fine c'è anche un'intervista all'autore. Se avete amato i disegni di VOFAN nella Monogatari series questo libro è qualcosa che non potete perdervi.

~Altre informazioni~
Editore: Vertical Inc
Numero Pagine: 95 pagine

~Valutazione~
Voto:★★★

~Link utili~
  Pagina dedicata dell'editore | Compra su Amazon(in lingua Inglese)

[ochalove · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars from me seems a little harsh but I just couldn’t bring myself to give it something higher.

I’m basing this on its reading alone since the art certainly does deserve more stars. But, I just couldn’t get into this book. The short two or five line stories felt insubstantial and...dare I say boring? It was a try at poetry looking to be pretty and thoughtful but I sooner have rather read the author’s backstory on the piece with the art instead.

[Benjamin Kass · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title says. Some of the concepts here are quite good--the cafe story, for example, is an excellent premise. Wish they were fleshed out further, but I enjoyed my time with it. Goes down like a cool summer drink

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting an art book, but was very pleasantly surprised to find a mixed media piece that blends Northeast Asian culture with short vignettes that flow seamlessly from one to another. Very pleasant and enjoyable.

[ammreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome illustrations but what really made me fall in love with this book was the short stories for each chapter which really inspired me to start writing.