Yoshitaka Amano Final Fantasy Artbook

[jling84]

Wasn't really sure where I could post a question like this, but does anyone here know if an artbook of Amano's art spanning all or some of the Final Fantasys was ever released?

I've been watching Gametrailers Final Fantasy retrospectives and I noticed that he created art for what seems like every single FF to date, even for the games that he didn't do character art for. If anyone has knowledge of a book like this existing please let me know the title so that I can look for it. I'm a huge fan of his art, especially the Final Fantasy stuff. Thanks in advance!

[lehviput]

Worlds of Amano has a bunch of his work he did for the FF series as well as Vampire Hunter D. Well, if I remember correctly.

There is also another book out called Amano The Complete Prints of Yoshitaka Amano, but I've never looked through it before.

[Kapwanil]

I can't comment on how many of the Final Fantasy works are in Amano's available collections in the US simply because I haven't seen them in a while. I think both available compilations (The Complete Prints..., World of...) have a sizable number of his work on the series but nothing completely comprehensive.

There are also the compilations from Japan that are insanely good but sickeningly difficult to find for less than $75 a go. If you're lucky you can usually find these sitting at a local comic book store, depending upon where you live. Your chances are far greater in metropolitan areas, of course, but it never hurts to try. Honestly, as far as those are concerned you will want to look through them yourself since I'm unaware of how much FF content is in them.

Last I checked...there's a comic book store located a few blocks away from SAIC in Chicago that has at least two volumes of his import compilations. They are at a restrictive price, though (~$50 - $75) so bring your wallet.

[jling84]

Do you know what the name for the Japanese compilation is? That is if there is an English title? My thanks to both you guys for the two titles. I will try to search them out.

[Dkellar]

The Japanese mega artbook set is called Yoshitaka Amano: The Sky but I've also seen it as The Art of Final Fantasy. Here is a link for it on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/THE-ART-OF-FINAL-FANTASY-Amano-Yoshitaka_W0QQitemZ220112126795QQihZ012QQcategoryZ 13667QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Also, this set retailed for I believe $300 USD when it first came out.

[jling84]

Thanks for the link! I just recently found out about that Sky artbook; that's exactly what I had in mind... too bad it only goes up to FFX though...

In any case I found it in this one internet store for $350, so I think I'll get it from there. Thanks again guys for all the help.

[Dkellar]

Thanks for the link! I just recently found out about that Sky artbook; that's exactly what I had in mind... too bad it only goes up to FFX though...

In any case I found it in this one internet store for $350, so I think I'll get it from there. Thanks again guys for all the help.

Animebooks.com? They've been sold out of it for about two years.

[jling84]

oh seriously? Damn it! Maybe I can find one when I visit Japan later this year.

[ZerotypeX]

Did he do Final Fantasy IX? I remember when IX came out they had The Art of Final Fantasy IX at gamestop/eb and saw one of these recently at a used book store

[jling84]

From what I know, he's done paintings for all of the games, even for games where the Kingdom Hearts guy was the character designer.

[cranguy]

jling, here is one you might be interested in:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FINAL-FANTASY-20th-Anniversary-Art-Book-2007-1-DISK_W0QQitemZ140149873420QQihZ004QQcategoryZ13667 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I found this book, of all places, while walking down the street in Beijing in May. I saw it on a newsstand and was pretty surprised...... y'know, fashion magazine, sports magazine, Yoshitaka Amano art book, business magazine....

I paid about $3 US for it, and didn't really know what I was getting, and was pleasantly surprised. As you can see in the auction, it's a compilation of Amano art. It's by no means comprehensive, but not bad.

Yes, it's a Chinese bootleg (as best as I can tell), although not a copy of any Japanese publication per se. It also includes a DVD of one of the live Final Fantasy concerts. I think this is the one released as "Voices" in Japan -- it has appearances by Angela Aki, Rikki, and Emiko Shiratori. (I guess Faye Wong was just too good for them.)

Anyway, a nice book if you don't mind the fact that it's unofficial.

Also, it looks like the same publishing company did a sweet FF7 art book too:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FINAL-FANTASY-VII-10th-ANNIVERSARY-COMPLETE-ART-1OST_W0QQitemZ140149481711QQihZ004QQcategoryZ1345Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm wondering if this one might be copied or sourced from a Japanese publication, cos it looks like there's a lot of art and photos that you wouldn't be able to find otherwise.

Anybody know more about the origins of these? And whether they might be official? (I highly doubt it though)

[jling84]

Wowwww! Thanks Cranguy, that book looks amazing; it seems to have art all the way up to X-2. Hmmmm I do wonder if this is indeed a Chinese bootlet, what the source book is... I've heard of this Amano artbook called "Dawn" that has a lot of FF material in it, perhaps it's the source for this one? In any case, thanks so much for the information, I think I will get this!

[Noodle Pirate!]

I have Dawn and one called Katen. Dawn is a pretty large book and mostly has warrior like pics in it. Katen has a mix and a lot of women.