Are you eager to explore the world through the eyes of animation masters? 

This article introduces a collection of captivating art books and illustration collections, ranging from classic Studio Ghibli works to the popular manga group CLAMP, as well as priceless collections from renowned animation designers. It takes you into the creative process of these artists, where every piece is filled with delicate detail and soul.

Whether you're a fan of collecting beautiful art books or someone who wants to dive deeper into the behind-the-scenes of animation production, don’t miss this visual feast!

Studio Ghibli 

1 Painting the World of Studio Ghibli

From Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) to the latest releaseThe Boy and the Heron (2023), this book features 844 precious background artworks from 27 Studio Ghibli theatrical films. At the end of the book, there’s also a special interview with art director Yoji Takashige (武重 洋二), making this a permanent collector's edition for those who wish to deeply appreciate these iconic scenes. 

The book focuses on the “background art” that shapes the world of each film. Out of the vast collection of over 1,000 background paintings created for each feature film, 844 masterpieces have been carefully selected and compiled. All artworks have been personally supervised by art director Yoji Takashige, presenting the most authentic and emotionally moving Ghibli worlds

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Product Name: Painting the World of Studio Ghibli（スタジオジブリの美術）
Publisher: PIE International
Price: JPY 13,200
Website: https://pie.co.jp/

2 Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Complete Collection Series

This series of art books has been meticulously curated by Studio Ghibli to include as many of Hayao Miyazaki's hand-drawn image boards and storyboards as possible from his past works. It features a wealth of previously unpublished, precious pieces, showcasing the original form of Miyazaki's process in building stories and worldviews.

2-1 Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Complete Collection 1: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Starting from a manga, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind became the foundation for Miyazaki’s subsequent works. This book prominently features 131 artworks created specifically for the film adaptation.

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Product Name: Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Complete Collection 1: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind（宮﨑駿イメージボード全集1 風の谷のナウシカ）
Publisher: Iwanami Shoten
Price: JPY 4,620
Website: https://www.iwanami.co.jp/

2-2 Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Complete Collection 2: Castle in the Sky

Castle in the Sky, conceived by Hayao Miyazaki during his elementary school years and ultimately realized as a film, is featured in this book. It includes 142 artworks, vividly showcasing the world of its story.

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Product Name: Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Complete Collection 2: Castle in the Sky（宮﨑駿イメージボード全集2 天空の城ラピュタ）
Publisher: Iwanami Shoten
Price: JPY 5,280
Website: https://www.iwanami.co.jp/

2-3 Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Complete Collection 2: My Neighbor Totoro

Born from carefree childhood moments and unique character designs, My Neighbor Totoro is featured in this book. It includes 219 precious artworks brimming with life and vitality.

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Product Name: Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Complete Collection 2: My Neighbor Totoro（宮﨑駿イメージボード全集3 となりのトトロ）
Publisher: Iwanami Shoten
Price: JPY 6,380
Website: https://www.iwanami.co.jp/

© Hayao Miyazaki
© Studio Ghibli
© 1988 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli
© 1997 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, ND
© 2001 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDTM
© 2023 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli

CLAMP

The "CLAMP Exhibition"(CLAMP展) held in 2024 at the National Art Center in Japan was a resounding success, and the two exquisite art books that fully collect the exhibition's original artworks are now available! 

The BLACK -KURO- book includes over 100 color artworks displayed in the "COLOR" section during the first half of the exhibition, while the WHITE -SHIRO- book features over 100 color artworks from the second half, along with newly created pieces made specifically for the exhibition. Both volumes beautifully preserve the unique charm of CLAMP's various works, from their debut piece RG Veda to Cardcaptor Sakura, including all the iconic classics.

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3 CLAMP Exhibition Official Art Book COLOR KURO

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Product Name: CLAMP Exhibition Official Art Book COLOR KURO（CLAMP展公式画集 COLOR KURO）
Publisher: KADOKAWA
Price: JPY 4,400
Website: https://clamp-fans.com/ja

4 CLAMP Exhibition Official Art Book COLOR SHIRO

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Product Name: CLAMP Exhibition Official Art Book COLOR SHIRO（CLAMP展公式画集 COLOR SHIRO）
Publisher: Kodansha
Price: JPY 4,400
Website: https://clamp-fans.com/ja

©CLAMP･ShigatsuTsuitachi CO.,LTD.
©CLAMP･ShigatsuTsuitachi CO.,LTD.／講談社
©CLAMP･ShigatsuTsuitachi CO.,LTD. ©CLAMP･ShigatsuTsuitachi CO.,LTD.／CLAMP展製作委員会

Shuichi Kusamori (草森秀一)

5 Shuichi Kusamori Animation Art Book

The first personal art book by animation art director Shuichi Kusamori (formerly known as Shuichi Hirata(平田秀一)) has officially been released! This book encompasses his 40-year career and the significant impact he has made in the Japanese animation industry, featuring a comprehensive collection of art designs from numerous classic works. 

Kusamori has contributed to works praised for their top-tier animation art, including Ghost in the Shell: Innocence, Metropolis, X -The Movie, and the Psycho-Pass series. This art book is the first time Kusamori has compiled his works, leading readers into the vast and unique worlds he has created with his overwhelming imagination in both sci-fi and fantasy genres.

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Product Name: Shuichi Kusamori Animation Art Book（草森秀一アニメーション美術画集）
Publisher: PIE International
PRice: JPY 6,050
Website: https://pie.co.jp/

©手塚プロダクション／METROPOLIS製作委員会
©2004 士郎正宗/講談社・IG, ITNDDTD
©サイコパス製作委員会

Shirow Masamune (士郎正宗) 

6 Shirow Masamune Artworks in the Shell

To commemorate Shirow Masamune's first solo exhibition, "Shirow Masamune’s World: The Creation and Legacy of Ghost in the Shell," the official, heavyweight art book Shirow Masamune Artworks in the Shell has been released!

The art book features over 260 selected illustrations, drawn from the extensive hand-drawn and digital manuscripts specially prepared by Shirow Masamune for this exhibition. It includes early works like Black Magic, the work that made Shirow Masamune famous, Appleseed, his iconic Ghost in the Shell, as well as adaptations into animation such as DOMINION and Ghost in the Shell: ORION. The collection also extends to his contributions in video games, novel illustrations, and more, spanning over 40 years of creative history, all compiled in over 300 pages of luxurious content. Additionally, this art book contains several rare works not showcased in the exhibition, making it an essential item for any Shirow Masamune fan!

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Product Name: Shirow Masamune Artworks in the Shell（⼠郎正宗展公式原画集Shirow Masamune Artworks in the Shell）
Pubsliher: Kodansha 
Price: JPY 6,600
Website: https://www.shirow-masamune-ex.jp/ 

© Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA 
© Shirow Masamune/SEISHINSHA

Attack on Titan

The popular TV anime Attack on Titan, produced by WIT STUDIO and based on the hugely popular manga, is now re-releasing previously published art books and related materials for Seasons 1 to 3. Of particular note is the 3D Maneuver Gear Art Book, which includes original artwork, time sheets, and other materials used during the actual production of the animation. This allows readers to experience the pages coming to life, just like in the animation itself! 

Pre-orders are now open, with a release date expected in June 2025. Don't miss out on the opportunity to uncover the secrets behind the creation of iconic scenes!

7 TV Anime Attack on Titan Art Book
 

TV Anime Attack on Titan Season 2 Art Book

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TV Anime Attack on Titan Season 3 Art Book 1

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TV Anime Attack on Titan Season 3 Art Book 2

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Product Name:
TV Anime Attack on Titan Season 2 Art Book（TVアニメ 進撃の巨人 Season 2 原画集）
TV Anime Attack on Titan Season 3 Art Book 1（TVアニメ 進撃の巨人 Season 3 原画集1）
TV Anime Attack on Titan Season 3 Art Book 2（TVアニメ 進撃の巨人 Season 3 原画集2）
Publisher: WIT STUDIO
Price: JPY 3,300 Each
Website: https://www.igport-onlinestore.com/collections/wit-top
※Expected to be released in early June 2025.

8 Attack on Titan 3D Maneuver Gear Animation Sketch Collection
 

Attack on Titan 3D Maneuver Gear Animation Sketch Collection -Arifumi Imai- 1

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Attack on Titan 3D Maneuver Gear Animation Sketch Collection -Arifumi Imai- 2

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Product Name:
Attack on Titan 3D Maneuver Gear Animation Sketch Collection -Arifumi Imai- 1（進撃の巨人 立体機動線画集 -今井有文-1）
Attack on Titan 3D Maneuver Gear Animation Sketch Collection -Arifumi Imai- 2（進撃の巨人 立体機動線画集 -今井有文-2）
Publisher: WIT STUDIO
Price: JPY 4,180 Each
Website: https://www.igport-onlinestore.com/collections/wit-top
※Expected to be released in early June 2025.

9 Kyoji Asano - Attack on Titan Chief Animation Supervisor Correction Collection

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Product Name: Kyoji Asano - Attack on Titan Chief Animation Supervisor Correction Collection（浅野恭司 進撃の巨人 総作監修正集）
Publisher: WIT STUDIO
Price: JPY 2,750
Website: https://www.igport-onlinestore.com/collections/wit-top
※Expected to be released in early June 2025.

©諫山創・講談社／「進撃の巨人」製作委員会

EVANGELION

10 EVANGELION ANIMA Ikuto Yamashita Artbook

The first art book by mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita (山下いくと), known for his work on the TV anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion," has arrived! This book primarily features colored illustrations and concept art from the original story "EVANGELION ANIMA," which takes place three years after the final episode of the TV series. Additionally, it includes colored illustrations from "Neon Genesis Evangelion," as well as colored illustrations and concept art from "Iconic Field(偶像戦域)" which Yamashita directed for the Japan Anima(tor)'s Exhibition (日本アニメ（ーター）見本市). These rare illustrations are invaluable for fans and a must-have collectible.

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Product Name:  EVANGELION ANIMA Ikuto Yamashita Artbook（エヴァンゲリオンANIMA 山下いくと画集）
Publisher: KADOKAWA
Price: JPY 3,300
Website: https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/

Koichi Ohata (大畑晃一)

11 ART OF BATTLE: Koichi Ohata Robot Chronicle

For fans of Japanese robots, this is a must-have book! In the 1980s, Japanese robot animation reached its peak, and mechanical designer Koichi Ohata became famous for his solid and original robot designs, gaining passionate fans worldwide. 

This art book features a collection of Koichi Ohata's mechanical design sketches, along with valuable concept illustrations related to battle scenes, showcasing his exceptional achievements in the field of mechanical design.

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Product Name: ART OF BATTLE: Koichi Ohata Robot Chronicle（ART OF BATTLE　大畑晃一ロボットクロニクル）
Publisher: Genkosha
Price: JPY 4,180
Website: https://www.genkosha.co.jp/