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Akira Club
Now available for the first time in an English-language edition, Akira Club is an essential companion to Akira, a dazzling collection of Otomo's mind-blowing visions, including over 100 title-page illustrations created for the original serialization but not included with the published collections of Akira. The book also features rarely seen alternate art, preliminary drawings, production sketches and a variety of Akira posters, advertisements and products, all accompanied by fascinating commentary by the artist himself. No Akira enthusiast, manga fan, or devotee of fantasy and science-fiction illustration should be without Akira Club.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1995
15 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Katsuhiro Otomo
316 books877 followersKatsuhiro Otomo is a Japanese manga artist, film director, and screenwriter. For his works in Japanese see 大友克洋. He is perhaps best known for being the creator of the manga Akira and its anime adaptation, which are extremely famous and influential. Otomo has also directed several live-action films, such as the recent 2006 feature film adaptation of the Mushishi manga.
Katsuhiro Otomo was born in the former town of Hasama, in Miyagi Prefecture.
As a teenager growing up in the turbulent 1960s, he was surrounded by the demonstrations of both students and workers against the Japanese government. The riots, demonstrations, and overall chaotic conditions of this time would serve as the inspiration for his best known work, Akira. Some would argue that this seminal work is an allegory of 1960s Japan, and that one could easily substitute the year 2019 for 1969 and leave little difference in the basic story.
The animation from this period (especially the works coming out of Tokyo animation studios Mushi Production and Toei Doga, now known as TOEI Animation) were influencing young Otomo. Works like Tetsujin 28-go, Astro Boy, and Hols: Prince of the Sun would help push Otomo toward a career in animation. However, it was the films coming out of America that were driving his rebellious nature. Five Easy Pieces and Easy Rider would serve as inspiration for Shotaro Kaneda and his biker gang in Akira: rebellious youth who took too many drugs and didn't care about authority or the pressures put on them by their parents' generation.
Otomo has recently worked extensively with noted studio Sunrise with the studio animating and producing his most recent projects, the 2004 feature film Steamboy, 2006's Freedom Project and his latest project, SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next, released in 2007.
Otomo grew up a fanatic of American blockbusters, which has influenced his cinematic style throughout his huge career. He grew fond of the work of artists like Moebius, and is often regarded as the person who brought a Westernized style into manga. From the late seventies onwards, Otomo created numerous volumes of anthologies and short stories, which usually ran at 23 pages each. Serialization for Fireball was cancelled, though the premise and themes were later to appear in the Sci-Fi Grand Prix award winning Domu and Akira. Otomo later moved onto directing and creating notable anime like the film adaption of Akira, Memories, and Steamboy. His most recent manga have been the scripting of Mother Sarah and the short story Park released in an issue of Pafu last year. He has also directed several live action films, such as World Apartment Horror, Give Us A Gun/Give Us Freedom, and the 2006 feature film adaptation of the Mushishi manga.
Katsuhiro Otomo was born in the former town of Hasama, in Miyagi Prefecture.
As a teenager growing up in the turbulent 1960s, he was surrounded by the demonstrations of both students and workers against the Japanese government. The riots, demonstrations, and overall chaotic conditions of this time would serve as the inspiration for his best known work, Akira. Some would argue that this seminal work is an allegory of 1960s Japan, and that one could easily substitute the year 2019 for 1969 and leave little difference in the basic story.
The animation from this period (especially the works coming out of Tokyo animation studios Mushi Production and Toei Doga, now known as TOEI Animation) were influencing young Otomo. Works like Tetsujin 28-go, Astro Boy, and Hols: Prince of the Sun would help push Otomo toward a career in animation. However, it was the films coming out of America that were driving his rebellious nature. Five Easy Pieces and Easy Rider would serve as inspiration for Shotaro Kaneda and his biker gang in Akira: rebellious youth who took too many drugs and didn't care about authority or the pressures put on them by their parents' generation.
Otomo has recently worked extensively with noted studio Sunrise with the studio animating and producing his most recent projects, the 2004 feature film Steamboy, 2006's Freedom Project and his latest project, SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next, released in 2007.
Otomo grew up a fanatic of American blockbusters, which has influenced his cinematic style throughout his huge career. He grew fond of the work of artists like Moebius, and is often regarded as the person who brought a Westernized style into manga. From the late seventies onwards, Otomo created numerous volumes of anthologies and short stories, which usually ran at 23 pages each. Serialization for Fireball was cancelled, though the premise and themes were later to appear in the Sci-Fi Grand Prix award winning Domu and Akira. Otomo later moved onto directing and creating notable anime like the film adaption of Akira, Memories, and Steamboy. His most recent manga have been the scripting of Mother Sarah and the short story Park released in an issue of Pafu last year. He has also directed several live action films, such as World Apartment Horror, Give Us A Gun/Give Us Freedom, and the 2006 feature film adaptation of the Mushishi manga.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 9, 2022
I have always have had a love for Akira ever since I first saw it drunk at a friends house at uni - up until that point I never knew such a think existed. I was a changed man after that event.
So to know that it is celebrating 35 years is a startling fact but the impact it has had is still rippling through all popular media to this day from computer games to how products are being advertised in the real world.
So to finally get to read this book of the collected art and musings from the creative force itself was both fascinating and enlightening. I can see now where so many images and ideas have come from (and still are it would seem) as well as getting a glimpse in to the mind behind it all (still love the comment about crab season starting up again).
So for any die hard fan to anyone just fascinated with the imagery this is an amazing to read - if you get the chance to
So to know that it is celebrating 35 years is a startling fact but the impact it has had is still rippling through all popular media to this day from computer games to how products are being advertised in the real world.
So to finally get to read this book of the collected art and musings from the creative force itself was both fascinating and enlightening. I can see now where so many images and ideas have come from (and still are it would seem) as well as getting a glimpse in to the mind behind it all (still love the comment about crab season starting up again).
So for any die hard fan to anyone just fascinated with the imagery this is an amazing to read - if you get the chance to
December 28, 2011
This is the ultimate Akira art collection. It covers promotional work, frames, advertisements, displays, etc. collected from various international releases. In many cases, this book is the only way for readers to access these pieces. As a whole, the book is overwhelming. There is simply so much on display here that the casual fan will probably become intimidated. Yet for the Katsuhiro Otomo fanboy, this book is an absolute treasure. Although "Akira Club" is obviously designed for lovers of Akira, it will be of interest to any manga fan looking to learn more about the history of the art form. Highly recommended.
February 8, 2019
Considering I casually bid on an ebay auction I didn't expect to win, this book was a wonderful surprise.
Compared to many animanga illustration collections which collect mostly fully rendered promotional illustrations, Akira Club features a little more of the developer commentary that I personally love. I feel that these days the history of Akira is as much part of the charm as the series itself, especially for young fans like myself who werent actually around to experience the 90s anime boom. So I really appreciated the excited feeling this collection creates of "something unfolding".
Akira club balances showing the development process behind individual illustrations from an artistic perspective, the process of collection and adaptation for international audiences, such as flopping and title typography, as well as extensive promotional materials. There isn't really any visual narrative and character development material, but the small amount of written commentary from Otomo provides enough interesting tidbits on this front to mostly satisfy.
Despite consisting overwhelmingly of fully finished art, the series does give a terrific overview of Akira's development as a serial, and some intriguing commentary, as well as, of course, pages of gorgeous series art.
Compared to many animanga illustration collections which collect mostly fully rendered promotional illustrations, Akira Club features a little more of the developer commentary that I personally love. I feel that these days the history of Akira is as much part of the charm as the series itself, especially for young fans like myself who werent actually around to experience the 90s anime boom. So I really appreciated the excited feeling this collection creates of "something unfolding".
Akira club balances showing the development process behind individual illustrations from an artistic perspective, the process of collection and adaptation for international audiences, such as flopping and title typography, as well as extensive promotional materials. There isn't really any visual narrative and character development material, but the small amount of written commentary from Otomo provides enough interesting tidbits on this front to mostly satisfy.
Despite consisting overwhelmingly of fully finished art, the series does give a terrific overview of Akira's development as a serial, and some intriguing commentary, as well as, of course, pages of gorgeous series art.
November 19, 2021
The book collects all the title pages from the original manga, published in Young magazine, which are not included in the collected editions. It also contains some illustrations, photos of merchandise and ads, and some unpublished art/concepts.
The art, of course, are fantastic. Unfortunately, whatever text there is, is only partially translated (the subheading to the unpublished works is "Why did they get killed?", but you won't get an answer, unless you learn Japanese). I would have also liked to see more concept art, WIPs and sketches.
The art, of course, are fantastic. Unfortunately, whatever text there is, is only partially translated (the subheading to the unpublished works is "Why did they get killed?", but you won't get an answer, unless you learn Japanese). I would have also liked to see more concept art, WIPs and sketches.
July 23, 2020
Essential for anyone who likes comics or manga.
October 25, 2018
Wow, I might've already been reading four other books when I started this one, but I absolutely could not set it down. Otomo is amazingly talented, as anyone with even passing interest in comics or animation has known for decades, but this under-the-hood look at his personality, style, and methods blew me away. I will probably go through this several times per year; it's as energizing creatively as any book I know.
August 15, 2017
I particularly enjoyed the full page title sequences, not published in the graphic novel volumes. I am strongly tempted to stick them up all over my room. Also liked how there were photographs of posters and Akira paraphernalia, and fans dressed up. It really gave me some context about how hyped Akira was at the time, myself being born in the late 90s.
May 10, 2023
5+ stars || yes i WILL rate art books with little to no words in them on goodreads to reach my yearly reading goal
I believe all art is subjective and up for debate but not this...this is objectively perfect work actually
I believe all art is subjective and up for debate but not this...this is objectively perfect work actually
February 24, 2020
That's Good!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2021
This book is so fun. Otomo Katsuhiro’s insights into the gritty details of Akira are vast and amusing. I loved this read and highly recommend it to the devout Akira fan.
April 1, 2022
Interesting, but very niche. Likely only for fans of Akira that want more art and some background on the author’s thoughts and experiences in putting Akira together.
August 22, 2022
It’s the art of Akira and is therefore good. But the text by the Young Magazine covers is so random that it’s hilarious.
January 2, 2023
Siendo AKIRA la joya que es (en manga y animé) era de esperar que un libro como este, lleno de material extra, fuera una maravilla. ¡Ya me urge tenerlo en la colección!
January 19, 2023
Beautiful collection of art, no story worth going on about, but I reckon it's worth admiring.
November 10, 2023
Incredible collection of incredible artwork.
December 18, 2023
Should this have been laced through the trades instead of being a whole separate book? Yes. Is it way more informative and comprehensive than the competition? Yes.
March 2, 2024
Really interesting! Putting this right on my wishlist.
August 22, 2024
I would want every page of this book as a poster on my wall
August 8, 2025
Great art book by Otomo covering everything from the manga to the anime film, giving great details on the making of both. A must for "Akira" fans.
August 13, 2018
This is an extensive look into the creator's mind ... Otomo and the products that came from the amazing world of Akira are revealed in this really nice hardcover.
April 28, 2008
An Akira art nerd collection of promotional art and cover pages from the Japanese versions of the serialized Akira series, redrawn pages from the Dark Horse re-release. Truly a Akira Otomo art junkies dream.
September 18, 2010
great artbook tell the whole process on how they put together the anime from the manga great artwork by Akira otomo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
March 10, 2011La "lectura" de este tomo quedará para cuando me termine la serie. Por ahora: lendo lendo.
February 11, 2016
A must buy if you love the world of Akira!
May 31, 2018
Artbook de Akira que fue incluido en el cofre especial del 20 aniversario.
January 2, 2015
Picked up a copy in a used book store near Fukouka (not sure on exactly where)- "Good for your Health Bad for Education"
April 5, 2016
Exclusivo para la "ñoñez" de los fans de Akira. Un sinfín de chucherías sobre los mangas y la peli que entretienen a quienes amamos la obra de Otomo.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews