Nagi Ryou (凪良) is probably best know for the game designs of Ar Tonelico. And if you haven't seen those, then he's probably pretty new to you. Nagi Ryou also has a circle called S.E.C., though as far as I know he's the only one in it.

Influence was a Comiket 76 release, featuring Nagi Ryou's take on anime and art work that influences him. I would guess Neon Genesis Evangelion was the greatest influence as it gets the most pages, but of course that might also be coincidence.

The Comiket release version included a post card, which looks almost identical to the cover, but has Asuka and Rei wearing the beta plugsuits introduced in the second movie.

The cover illustrations are also featured inside the book separately, with Rei on the very first page and Asuka on the very last page.

Most of the illustrations in the book are two page spreads, so even though the page count is 16 and full color, it doesn't add up to that many images. The first two spreads are an additional illustration of Asuka and Rei, Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell.

After that, we have a very sexy spread of Yoko from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, and then one from the 90's anime Bastard!! Nagi Ryou's style really flatters the original designs. Do you sometimes prefer fan art to the official art and designs of a series?

The book ends with spreads from Nadia Secret of Blue Water, Black Rock Shooter, and a single page image of Mio from K-ON!. I thought Black Rock Shooter didn't really fit with the rest, but now there is an anime for it, so it works. I guess he was planning for the future! Anyone catch the pilot episode of Black Rock Shooter yet?

Overall, I like the art, but it's really on the short side. I had expected more illustrations before purchasing it, because I had no way of knowing most of the illustrations would be two page spreads.

• Title: INFLUENCE
• タイトル: ｢INFLUENCE｣
• Release Date: 08/15/2009
• Pages: 16
• Buy: eBay, Yahoo Japan