Science Fiction Illustration edited by Yuka Tsutsui (book review).
I picked up Science Fiction Illustration last year, as I’m a sucker for artbooks, and this one is only three years old. Its subtitle is the lengthy The Near Future and Fantasy Worlds Creators’ Showcase. A quick flick through the pages reveals a strong manga influence, but you really need to go through the pages carefully because there are many intricate cityscapes that you might otherwise miss.
This book features 21 Japanese artists, showing little influence from Western society and more of what they grew up with in Japan. As a Japanese publication, the text is in both Japanese and English. The art is often subtle and highly detailed, with several examples demonstrating how the artists combined sketching and digital techniques to create their work.
Art is a universal language that communicates beyond words, resonating with individual taste and preference. While I can’t share the interiors due to copyright, this book certainly deserves your attention.
It’s certainly an eye-opener, and I wish we had more books like this from other countries—if for no other reason than to showcase the nations that have a thriving science fiction and fantasy art scene.
GF Willmetts
June 2024
(pub: Pie International, 2021. 160 page oblong illustrated softcover. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-4-7562-5522-8)
check out website: www.pie.co.jp/english
