October 5th, 2009, 12:55PM by nat | 12 comments
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
15 years, 3 months ago
Looks nice, if I had a little more cash to spend I'd would have ordered this as well. >_>;
I'm digging that *******fan-art. I loved the manga.
15 years, 3 months ago
Still on Toranoana at least, might even be there for your next shop :3
15 years, 3 months ago
This is great. I only wish that he'd drawn Nodoka instead of Mio. Nodoka is so, so under-rated. ;-;
15 years, 3 months ago
Hehe, sadly, the masses have spoken, YOU MUST LIKE MIO! I think the only doujin I bought that had Nodoka was by CUTEG, and even then they were group pictures.
15 years, 3 months ago
Very nice. I quite often prefer fan art to official art. I really like those Eva illustrations ^^.
15 years, 3 months ago
My favorite Asuka and Rei renditions are these by Nagi Ryo, and Redjuice's. I'm biased towards the new suits though :3
15 years, 3 months ago
I love that he has the same image twice but the second has sexier see-through clothing. What's that all about!
15 years, 3 months ago
ah @#$ there's a postcard? i hope my auction includes it :|
15 years, 3 months ago
If you still have the auction link, CTRL+F the word ポストカード on the page.
15 years, 3 months ago
i have a feeling i missed out. $@!#@$%(&%!
15 years, 3 months ago
In some cases I prefer fan art over official art. Looking at the pics from EVA I truly prefer these instead of the official design. Also the pic of Nadia looks amazing. Great artbook ^^
15 years, 3 months ago
It always makes me wish more artists would draw from older series like Nadia and *******;_;