Alpha

Type: Single Artist Collection

Author: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

Publisher: Kadokawashoten

Format: Softback 13" x 10" (330mm x 257mm)

Cover Price ¥2,800

Publication Date: 1993

Page count: 98

This is a luxurious-feeling large-format softback printed in full colour throughout (although there are some pages containing only text) on quality semi-gloss paper. The titles of the pictures are in English but all other text is in Japanese (go Google Translate!). Sadamoto is the character designer for several popular anime, including Nadia, Secret of Blue Water and Royal Space Force Honneamise. Although focussing on these two works, this book also features art from Olympia, Uru, RunalbSaga and Route 20. The layout and production values of this book show off his work here to excellent effect. If you are a Sadamoto fan, you definitely need this book.

The pictures are a mix of full-bleed and printing with a 1 cm gutter as in the picture of Nadia above. The choice of which to use seems to have been entirely an aesthetic one, not a cost-saving measure and it always feels like the pictures have been given the space they need. I can't recommend this book enough and I am very happy that I already have it in my collection!