October 16th, 2009, 8:15PM by nat | 15 comments
There sure are a lot of big anniversaries this year; CIRCUS turns 10, Gundam is celebrating their 30th anniversary and Nitroplus is also turning 10 years old this year. Comptiq has released a Nitroplus Complete magazine to celebrate the anniversary, containing info on all the Nitroplus games (and upcoming ones) up until this point.
The first section of the magazine is a 10-page interview devoted to Urobuchi Gen, writer for Phantom Inferno and Requiem, Blassreiter, and Fate/Zero to name a few. Safe to say, I couldn't appreciate that bit.
The interview is followed by more interviews for other staff on the Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~, interspersed with a couple of new spread illustrations, a 4-page character report file, and a 4-page episode digest.
Immediately following the Phantom section are a couple pages on Blassreiter, and a couple more with images on the Fate/Zero drama CDs. The Blassreiter pages don't include anything new, but the Fate/Zero section leads into a special interview between Takashi Takeuchi (Typemoon) and Urobuchi Gen.
Now, the main reason I picked up this one-time issue is because of the artist gallery of all new illustrations celebrating Nitroplus, and I wasn't disappointed. Featured artists include Nishii, Naru Nanao, Tsuji Santa, Osaki Shinya, Chuo Higashiguchi, Matsuo Yukihiro, Yanoguchi Kimi and more. I was under the impression that they were all Nitroplus artists, but I don't know where Naru Nanao would fit into any of that.
Since I bought this issue for the new illustration gallery, everything else was like a bonus. If you can read Japanese, you'll be happy to know there are new novel stories for Demobane, Sumaga, and CHAOS;HEAD. There's also a DVD that contains 60 minutes worth of commercials and clips from Nitroplus productions, even from the older stuff.
One of the other highlights of this magazine is the "Latest Game Information" section, which covers Dogura Q (ドグラQ), Full Metal Daemon Muramasa (装甲悪鬼村正) and STEINS;GATE.
A total of six pages are dedicated to the upcoming Dogura Q adult game, which includes a few character character design pages. The next 10-pages are all on Full Metal Daemon Muramasa, with more elaborate character pages that include info on their voice actors, in-game stills and the mecha designs. I really like the character designs for this one, even though it's something I'll never play. Maybe there will be an anime of it later ;D
Last but not least is STEINS;GATE, with character designs by Huke. You can immediately recognize Huke's design style---although a little more moe that usual---the girls (and guys) still have their dirty, shimmering look, even for the in-game stills. The character pages for the main heroines are great, providing the full body image, their game faces, and an in-game screen shot or two.
The next part of this 162-page issue includes 4-pages dedicated to the weapon details and images used by characters from games such as Angelos Armas -Tenshi no Nichou Kenju-, Phantom of Inferno, Jingai Makyō, Sumaga, and others.
And just before I thought they wouldn't be included, the Nitro+CHiRAL boy's love games get six pages that include character designs from Sweet Pool, Togainu no Chi, and Lamento -Beyond the Void-. There are also a couple pages featuring Pixiv artists Nitroplus fan works.
Though the issue seems to have sold out fast on Amazon Japan (well, it did come out at the end of last month) you can probably still find it second hand, or maybe even in some online import retailers.
15 years, 1 month ago
Wow, this guy has some great style, some of those backgrounds are amazing.
15 years, 1 month ago
It's actually a bunch of different artists, but I agree they do have style :D
15 years, 1 month ago
What a tease! Show us this awesome artbook then show it's sold out on Amazon! I am being tortured!
15 years, 1 month ago
There's always a way to get what you want! You could always buy used on Amazon with a deputy shop, or try Yahoo Auctions. And of course, check around with the online import shops, they usually get a few copies.
15 years, 1 month ago
That first image reminds me of the aliens from Eureka 7 for some reason >D
15 years, 1 month ago
It's the rings in the eyes :3 That is if by aliens, we mean Eureka and Anemone :D
15 years, 1 month ago
Any chance you will be reviewing the Blassreiter artbook or fanbook? Hmmm... I should do u have it or will u be getting it?
I'm big fan of the Blassreiter series and I'm wanting to see a review before I consider making an over-the-counter order at Kino.
15 years, 1 month ago
I didn't buy that one, mostly because I didn't think there would be a lot of art work in the book (since it would have to come from the magazines that barely had any). I did read it has a new illustration by Niθ though, but I feel like I'd want to see a review before I'd get it too ^^;
P.S. You and your Kinokuniya make me ;_;
15 years, 1 month ago
lol, it's 10mins from my workplace so it's very convenient for me to walk there but I make sure I go there once a month or I will be broke. -_-
Making an over-the-counter isn't cheap as they take into account the shipping cost as well. In addition, the GST. :(
15 years, 3 weeks ago
Oh wow I wish I got this magaizne sooner. Its gonna be a pain to find it at a good price. I really hope you scan the demonbane ladies spread. I <3 Niθ's work.
Oh and I have the blassrieter fanbook and its not all that great. The blassreiter concept works is the one you want to get since its all Niθ in there. The only thing is you'll need a proxy to get it :(https://shop.digi-goods.com/item.php?id=554
Here is the new illustration by Niθ from the fanbook. Sorry I do not have a scanner so this is the best I can do.
http://i34.tinypic.com/fp9i1k.jpg
Thanks for the great review as always :)
15 years, 3 weeks ago
Wow, thanks for the link! Looks like that's the Blassreiter book I'll be getting the next time I place a deputy order. Nitroplus always does better direct books than commercials ones.
15 years, 3 weeks ago
No problem. Keep in mind that its mostly concept art of all the characters. Still well worth it if your a fan of Niθ. Here are some preview pics from the book that were posted on an ebay auction sometime ago.
http://img24.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=scimg1192.jpg
15 years, 3 weeks ago
Heh, those are the pictures I saw that convinced me on it when I was searching. I like concept works collections, and it's also good chance to pick the Jingai Makyō books too! :3
14 years, 5 months ago
i know but for the other people its come bored.and other dont know what it is,so we need to advertice it website.
14 years, 5 months ago
hi its nice but wird