Review by Rio
Manga University’s Costume Collection: A Day in the Life of a Japanese Schoolgirl is a reference book. It’s not here to teach you how to draw but to inspire you and help you draw your own characters by providing you with tons of pictures of a Japanese schoolgirls day from waking up, going to school and work, wearing traditional kimono and then going back to sleep.
The whole book is in black and white which is a shame but I guess it makes you work to figure out your own colors for your characters rather than relying on the colors of the clothes that are being worn by the girls. This book is packed with tons of photos! Each page can have from two to four pictures in each page. They show each girl in different poses, different angles, sitting down, standing, and other positions. All that variety comes in handy for those who are not good at drawing in different points of views and bodily positions.
Since this is a reference book, there are only a few text present. Most of the text is comprised of an introduction about the model featured in that section with thier name, birthdate, bloodtype and a short bio. The models used in the book are Hikari Okamoto, Mami Aida, Chinatsu Mori, Riasu Arama, Yuria Hidaka, Moe Sakurai, Haruka Matsuki and Mao Manabe. As the title says, all the models in this book are female. Too bad! Maybe Manga University should consider bringing out a Japanese Schoolboy edition in the future.
Since all the models are female, there a few photos; three to be exact; that are more on the suggestive side. The pose is not suggestive by itself but because of the clothing worn, it makes it look that way. Specifically, it’s a big shirt that drops all the way down to the thighs. Whether the model wears anything under that is not known. For those alarmed about this, there is nothing in the book that shows panties, cleavage, or any nudity.
As a pose reference book, this is good for anyone who needs the extra help with envisioning certain angles, points of views, and maybe even getting ideas about clothes girls wear in Japan. Some may be put off with the use of real girls as models but I think you are better off that way. This way, you will not be influenced to draw a certain drawing style but instead, you will be forced to draw your own style. At $19.99 USD, or maybe even cheaper if you look around, this book isn’t a bad investment and references in my opinion will always be relevant for any artist.
Manga University presents… Costume Collection “A Day in the Life of a Japanese Schoolgirl”
by Manga University
#4877770518
144 pages
b&w
MSRP $19.99
Foreward
Section 1: Good Morning
Toss and Turn 1
Toss and Turn 2
Rise and Shine 1
Rise and Shine 2
Morning Coffee
Time to Brush
Good Morning Close-Ups
Section 2: School Days
Ready to Go
Teachers’ Pet 1
Teachers’ Pet 2
Teachers’ Pet 3
Teachers’ Pet 4
Straight A’s 1
Straight A’s 2
Straight A’s 3
Straight A’s 4
In the Gym
Go Team!
Class Clown 1
Class Clown 2
After School Detention 1
After School Detention 2
After School Detention 3
School Days Close-Ups
Section 3: Part-Timer
Irasshaimase! 1
Irasshaimase! 2
Serve with a Smile 1
Serve with a Smile 2
I Don’t Do Windows! 1
I Don’t Do Windows! 2
Will That Be All? 1
Will That Be All? 2
Part-Timer Close-ups
Section 4: Traditional Girl
Afternoon Stroll 1
Afternoon Stroll 2
Please Be Seated
Pleased to Meet You 1
Pleased to Meet You 2
Tsukareta! 1
Tsukareta! 2
Elements of Style
Traditional Girl Close-ups
Section 5: Nighty-Night
Pajama Party
Tea Time
Private Moment
Sweet Dreams 1
Sweet Dreams 2
Nighty-Night Close-ups
