I personally have a small collection of artbooks, mainly consisting of anime which I watched when I started off with anime. It’s a pretty small collection, but considering when I started, I would say it’s quite a number. Anyway, I often ask myself if I should be glad that I started late. Starting late would mean less money spent on anime, but a lesser chance to get limited edition stuff that are sold before I begun.
Animation artbooks are generally quite affordable in Japan, but the only way I can get them locally is through Kinokuniya. It is a well-known fact that Kinokuniya often marks up their prices and charges an arm and a leg for Japanese imported books. Even with the 10% members discount, and sometimes 20% discount during sales, it still does quite an impact on one’s wallet. Still, despite this harsh fact, I occasionally get artbooks from there.Usually, I get artbooks with the mindset of further appreciating the art of the anime. And I do actually appreciate the art. Once. Why?
I am a rather clumsy person, and I fear my clumsiness. Imagine accidentally damaging an artbook which you spent a week’s allowance on. For me, I would go into ‘WTF’ mode and start blaming myself for allowing such a thing to happen. I figured that if I left the artbook on the shelf, I would not be able to damage it.
Now, that is a rather stupid reason, since it defeats the main purpose of me purchasing artbooks. How can I appreciate the art within, if the artbooks are shelved 99% of the time? Only with that 1% of time where I unwrap the artbook and browse through.
I’m no artist, and I can’t even draw for nuts. The best thing I can draw are probably stick men. Hence, using a reason such as “reference materials” would not be logical at all. Damn, I wish I could draw.
With my reasoning shooting itself in it’s leg, I now try my very best to avoid any artbooks. It’s not easy though. Anything related to anime is never easy for me to resist. The money used to buy artbooks could be instead channeled to aid my quest in increasing my PVC harem. After all, figurines could be shelved and yet admired at the same time. A much better use of money, don’t you think?
Does anyone have any other reasons for purchasing anime artbooks?
yes i do. Go through them before bed. Very very relaxing. Since I have a limited amount of artbooks (one of them is Suzumiya Haruhi) I don’t do it every night. But I probably will when I get more. Eyeing the sola artbook and the MOETAN one.
I also can’t draw for nuts.. probably can’t even do stickmen. lol
I find figurines a more worthwhile purchase than artbooks. You can display them, and look at them at a glance, but artbooks take time to read through.
Your choice though.
Wear a safety glove before go through them…hehe.
Kidding, Maybe you can try learn some drawing. Yes, refering material is important, The most important things is that you “Start draw now!!!”
Yeah, I can’t draw well too. But It is never too late to start learn
hehe..Just some advice.
@kesenaitsumi > I have ever considered wearing gloves while handling my figurines/artbooks. LOL. But I gave up that thought because it was too troublesome.
i buy artbooks because i want to :o, is that reason good enough? xD
pp > That reason alone > all. LOL
Have always been tempted to buy one or two but on hindsight, I know I probably will shelf them aside after reviewing a few times.. so my vote goes to figures too.
Hmm… I’ve never purchased one before, but I have a good mind to get one for my drawing references, since an artbook is more accessible than images stored on a computer.
Either that, or I would use it as a blogging topic, or simply look at the pictures.