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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: superDioplus on November 24, 2010, 10:59:23 PM

Title: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: superDioplus on November 24, 2010, 10:59:23 PM
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg208.imageshack.us%2Fimg208%2F8122%2Fkojimagasyu1.jpg&hash=2073b339915ad7f1abda4ffe73ee4fd518451d73)


http://item.rakuten.co.jp/amiami/bok-3509/ (http://item.rakuten.co.jp/amiami/bok-3509/)
http://gamershourds.blog28.fc2.com/blog-entry-1004.html (http://gamershourds.blog28.fc2.com/blog-entry-1004.html)

Price: 3570 Yen
Size: A4
Color: Full Color
Page: 200 pages

The book mainly consists of her works in the past 20 years from Castlevania and other games, novels as well as unreleased artworks.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Vrakanox on November 24, 2010, 11:21:09 PM
Ohhh Yeahhhh  ;D
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: PFG9000 on November 25, 2010, 04:33:02 AM
Awesome.  I will have to pick this up, but I can't make heads or tails out of that Japanese website.  I'm sure it'll show up on ebay eventually.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Valtiel on November 25, 2010, 05:57:39 AM
Her non-CV related stuff is soooooooooo good.

And before you ask, her CV stuff is generally too, even if she really feels constrained by the subject and the end result feels unfitting to the saga.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Thomas Belmont on November 25, 2010, 02:45:27 PM
Her non-CV related stuff is soooooooooo good.

And before you ask, her CV stuff is generally too, even if she really feels constrained by the subject and the end result feels unfitting to the saga.


I don't think I'll ever forgive her for what she did to Simon.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Ahasverus on November 25, 2010, 09:39:12 PM
:Buys now:
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Dominus on November 26, 2010, 12:22:31 AM

I don't think I'll ever forgive her for what she did to Simon.

she has done questionable things, but still she is as IGA intended
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on November 26, 2010, 01:36:15 AM
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.funnyforumpics.com%2F%2Fforums%2Fi-see-what-you-did-there%2F1%2Flolcatrenderer2aspxtopbiq7.jpg&hash=79298e0af9135d623c598d7ae3eaed3d15a70dbb) (http://"http://www.funnyforumpics.com")
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: DragonsAndCarpetBags on November 26, 2010, 06:42:29 PM
I'll have to pick it up in some time. Thanks for spoting that
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: kadosho on November 27, 2010, 05:55:02 PM
Definitely a long wait, that's for sure. Nice to see her artbook finally coming together.
Curious about the timing though. Maybe she has a surprise in store for 2011?
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Vrakanox on November 27, 2010, 08:53:20 PM
Definitely a long wait, that's for sure. Nice to see her artbook finally coming together.
Curious about the timing though. Maybe she has a surprise in store for 2011?

Maybe she's doing the artwork for the next game? Now I'm all excited and crap. Well I'm definately getting this when it comes out.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Amduscias on December 05, 2010, 08:03:05 AM
It should be named "Akai Yaoi" instead Yuri

Thanks Ayami for fagging our great heroes...
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: crisis on December 05, 2010, 04:43:28 PM
"fagging our great heroes?" Are you serious dude? That post fails so hard it's not even funny.


I can't wait to see what Ayami's unreleased works are (hopefully it won't be just a few pieces)
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Gunlord on December 05, 2010, 06:02:01 PM
Nice, I would definitely like dat artbook. 8)
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: arcademaid on December 09, 2010, 10:46:43 PM
Do you know the ISBN of this book? I have a Kinokuniya close to my residence I'd like to order it there.
Thanks~
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: thernz on December 10, 2010, 12:41:31 AM
She actually made Kamen Rider yaoi. Well, it wasn't explicit and was more of a humorous gag, but still. I don't really care anyway. She drew such a handsome Hongo Takeshi to compensate.
http://castlevania.armster.org/kojima/mandarakelive12.jpg (http://castlevania.armster.org/kojima/mandarakelive12.jpg)
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: superDioplus on December 29, 2010, 10:37:23 PM
Do you know the ISBN of this book? I have a Kinokuniya close to my residence I'd like to order it there.
Thanks~

ISBN-10: 4870319233
ISBN-13: 978-4870319233
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: angevil on January 02, 2011, 07:02:56 AM
Ordered :D I love Ayami`s art.....I hope she will make more paintings and artwork for Castlevania.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: DarkcoreX on January 02, 2011, 02:50:30 PM
This is beautiful  :)
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: VampirehunterB on January 09, 2011, 08:41:53 PM
I consider yamane's music and kojimas art to be the very essence of castlevania..now yamane's gone, and without the artwork of kojima..nothing remains..
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Sumac on January 11, 2011, 05:40:54 PM
Quote
.nothing remains..
And what about Castlevanias before them?
No essence, too?  :o
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: angevil on January 18, 2011, 06:07:55 PM
I got the book....and I LOVE it......oh, Ayami Kojima!!!!!!! How will I miss you if you don′t make more Castlevania artwork! Now at least I have this book of many of her pieces and I can admire them. This book and CV music collection box were the best things that happened for Castlevania fans since Order of Ecclesia. I also liked the Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, but it didn′t make me all tingly and excited as these two things..I am in awe......

Long live Ayami Kojima and Michiru Yamane! Wooooooo!
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Pemburu Vampir on January 19, 2011, 05:19:02 AM
Long live Ayami Kojima and Michiru Yamane! Wooooooo!

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wired.com%2Fimages_blogs%2Fphotos%2Funcategorized%2Figa.jpg&hash=805ce78ccf0f20110fa311550c88f526a0bea8e3)

"No love for me?"
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Gunlord on January 19, 2011, 07:02:02 AM
My body is ready...for FABULOUS. 8)
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on January 19, 2011, 07:04:40 AM
And what about Castlevanias before them?
No essence, too?  :o
I think they  both compliment each other. Ayami Kojima's visuals and Michiru Yamane's music got together, hand-in-hand. Same can be said for Yoshitaka Amano's art and Nobuo Uematsu's music. Some of Uematsu's songs for the older FFs felt like they were able to match Amano's motley art musically, perfectly. The peak of collaboration, I believe, had to have been FFVI. Amano art was best repesented by sprites, and Uematsu's music fit so well with those sprites.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Ahasverus on January 19, 2011, 01:42:48 PM
I agree, Kojima's art just clicks with Yamane music. That feeling is dissolved by IGA's recycling though.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: angevil on January 22, 2011, 01:49:11 PM
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi56.tinypic.com%2F30t0wwg.jpg&hash=3bf1fdcc469f77c80f27cfb5a9edd37061ae08df)

I am so enjoying the book!!!!
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: crisis on January 22, 2011, 03:57:20 PM
Which site did you buy the book from? The site that's linked in the first post has it sold out :[
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: angevil on January 22, 2011, 05:00:53 PM
Playasia! But last time I have been on the website a few days ago it said it was sold out.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Munchy on January 25, 2011, 03:20:14 AM
I agree, Kojima's art just clicks with Yamane music. That feeling is dissolved by IGA's recycling though.

I'm convinced that any time IGA asks for more development money, the people in Konami's heavily fortified HQ, in charge since 2004, take pot shots at him with rifles and tell him to piss off, threatening to neuter him with a copy of MGS4 and without anesthesia if he doesn't meet the deadline.

They probably do it to the Silent Hill producers, too. The staff at Konami live in a haze of fear and uncertainty.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: VampirehunterB on February 21, 2011, 12:30:01 AM
And what about Castlevanias before them?
No essence, too?  :o


No, of course not..I love the previous CV music and aestetics as well...it's just that a barbarian conan belmont cannot be adapted these days..ayami kojima made an important aesthetic reform...and the music has always been excellent.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: danceofgold on February 21, 2011, 01:40:03 AM
I consider yamane's music and kojimas art to be the very essence of castlevania..now yamane's gone, and without the artwork of kojima..nothing remains..

I adore Yamane's music and Kojima's art too... but I'm wondering, does it always work perfectly when they come together? For example, why isn't AoS as good as SotN?
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: whitedragon_nall on February 21, 2011, 02:21:56 AM
I adore Yamane's music and Kojima's art too... but I'm wondering, does it always work perfectly when they come together? For example, why isn't AoS as good as SotN?
More powerful hardware, maybe? Of course, that's not the only reason though. SotN has better bosses, better castle and the equipment is better as well. Can't say that's because of hardware.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: VampirehunterB on February 21, 2011, 07:34:25 PM
AoS(and the other other GBA and DS games) are generally copied concepts of SOTN i my opinion..it was simply a masterpiece that probably  never can be repeated to the same level..and the  SOTN soundtrack remains the best, at least for me..

I believe they need to reform the 2D games a little..new enemies..change the characters appearance to what they are equipped with(not just the weapons), allow you to explore outside the castle(as OoE), and allow you to choose difficulty level at the very start of the game!...and...bring ayami kojima's artwork back on track, enough with the plastic like DS anime illustrations!
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: darkwzrd4 on February 22, 2011, 12:46:50 AM
AoS(and the other other GBA and DS games) are generally copied concepts of SOTN i my opinion..it was simply a masterpiece that probably  never can be repeated to the same level..and the  SOTN soundtrack remains the best, at least for me..

I believe they need to reform the 2D games a little..new enemies..change the characters appearance to what they are equipped with(not just the weapons), allow you to explore outside the castle(as OoE), and allow you to choose difficulty level at the very start of the game!...and...bring ayami kojima's artwork back on track, enough with the plastic like DS anime illustrations!
Agreed.  In terms of level, OoE seemed to come closest to SotN than the other metroidvanias.  The one thing I don't like about most metroidvanias is the concept of new game +, especially in regards to OoE in which you keep your level.  After level 70, it becomes pointless.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Foffy on February 22, 2011, 03:27:33 AM
bring ayami kojima's artwork back on track, enough with the plastic like DS anime illustrations!

Masaki Hirooka did gooood art for Order of Ecclesia.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Lisa Fahrenheit on February 28, 2011, 07:55:35 AM

I don't think I'll ever forgive her for what she did to Simon.

I don't know, I actually like Chronicles Simon a lot, but I think I'm in the minority there. I can definitely can see how he could irritate people that were used to how he looked before.


I'm also in agreement that Ayami Kojima and Michiru Yamane complimented each other amazingly, and it felt like they were the backbone of the series for a long time. It doesn't really feel the same without them, and other artists and composers have some pretty massive shoes to fill.

That said, though...

Masaki Hirooka did gooood art for Order of Ecclesia.

Oh my goodness yesss. It's not a Kojima copy, but it's definitely got the right vibe, which I count as a huge blessing. It was also a really nice break from the anime illustrations mentioned above (though I have to admit that I did like Portrait a lot).

I've also been surprised by how much I'm enjoying Yasuhiro Ichihashi's compositions, from what I've heard. Ebony Wings and Crimson Blood are two of my all-time favorite songs lately.

Overall, even without Kojima and Yamane, I think they're still turning out some pretty decent stuff.

..change the characters appearance to what they are equipped with(not just the weapons)..

YES! Admittedly, that was one of my favorite parts of Symphony -- watching the cloaks change as you equipped them. I always felt a little slighted when your character wouldn't change with their equipment (especially in Portrait, when you were trying to get outfits for Charlotte). Adding this would be a giant plus for me too!
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: VampirehunterB on February 28, 2011, 09:56:02 AM
do you mean that ayami kojima have quit as well!?
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Lisa Fahrenheit on February 28, 2011, 10:33:54 AM
I don't think Kojima quit outright, did she? She did the art for Harmony of Despair, but it seems like she's been less involved lately.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Successor The Cruel on February 28, 2011, 10:42:28 AM
I don't believe Ayami Kojima was ever a traditional Konami employee.  She's a freelancer.  If they have a job for her that she's willing to take, then I guess she takes it, but she's not (as) beholden to Konami, so it's natural to see her come and go.  
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Odile Kuronuma on April 05, 2011, 06:48:14 PM
You can find more scans here: http://parkablogs.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=353 (http://parkablogs.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=353) and here: http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/multi/Memorabilia/collect-santaliliosangre.htm (http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/multi/Memorabilia/collect-santaliliosangre.htm)
Also you can find a link to Kojima's site on on Mr P's page.It features some artwork , as well as an interview  of Ayami.Here's the link to the interview:: http://www.asukashinsha.jp/s/kojima/interview.html (http://www.asukashinsha.jp/s/kojima/interview.html) .
 It would be great if someone could translate it. It's times like this that i wish i knew how to read Japanese -__-
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Profbeanburrito on April 06, 2011, 01:59:42 AM
Those are really awesome. I really like the ones of Maria, Especially the one of younger Maria with the black outfit. So cool
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Ahasverus on April 06, 2011, 02:08:46 AM
I don't know why but I really dig Trevor's design, I mean, if you think about it it's pretty ridiculous but I still see it sooo awesome  :o Ultimate Belmont IMO
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: VampirehunterB on April 06, 2011, 08:50:24 AM
I love all the CV ayami kojima artwork..EXCEPT for SIMON BELMONT..he's just too classical to fit in..it would be more suitable if the sketches represented Simon in his youth..perhaps it does...
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Mr.Bushido on April 06, 2011, 02:13:49 PM
I love all the CV ayami kojima artwork..EXCEPT for SIMON BELMONT..he's just too classical to fit in..it would be more suitable if the sketches represented Simon in his youth..perhaps it does...

Yeah I think her style just fits quite well with the Metroidvania games, but she should stay away of Simon, the styles are too different. Though I like Trevor.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: VampirehunterB on April 06, 2011, 08:11:32 PM
agree, Trevor was really well done(the scar was genius of her!)
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on April 06, 2011, 08:54:43 PM
You can find more scans here: http://parkablogs.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=353 (http://parkablogs.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=353) and here: http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/multi/Memorabilia/collect-santaliliosangre.htm (http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/multi/Memorabilia/collect-santaliliosangre.htm)
Also you can find a link to Kojima's site on on Mr P's page.It features some artwork , as well as an interview  of Ayami.Here's the link to the interview:: http://www.asukashinsha.jp/s/kojima/interview.html (http://www.asukashinsha.jp/s/kojima/interview.html) .
 It would be great if someone could translate it. It's times like this that i wish i knew how to read Japanese -__-
Interesting to see black haired Alucard(who's also dressed a little different than his SotN version). Wonder if that was an early SotN concept sketch, or if it was something she did for CoD(and Alucard was to appear, looking much younger, but the idea was cut pre-production)?
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: thernz on April 06, 2011, 09:00:04 PM
that would've been interesting. cod's story had a lot of potential that it just dropped.

as for simon, im thinking that she was trying to create a design both distinct from her own and classical. probably didn't work out that well in some respects. im pretty sure the fur was supposed to be reminiscent of northern barbarians, conan and etc, but with a idiosyncratic flair. didnt work out for some people!
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Odile Kuronuma on April 06, 2011, 09:23:17 PM
Interesting to see black haired Alucard(who's also dressed a little different than his SotN version). Wonder if that was an early SotN concept sketch, or if it was something she did for CoD(and Alucard was to appear, looking much younger, but the idea was cut pre-production)?
I think it's an early SOTN concept, since there is also another sketch of an early version of SOTN Dracula. I can tell since there's a lot of similarities between those sketches and the official artwork.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Odile Kuronuma on May 21, 2011, 12:31:46 AM
Sorry for the double post, but just wanted to say that you can find  some scans of the artbook here:
http://castlevania.armster.org/scans_kojima4.php (http://castlevania.armster.org/scans_kojima4.php)
The artbook is not completely scanned yet .There's 200 pages to scan, and some pages have more than one illustration, so it's gonna take a while to scan all of it.  Btw that gallery is probably the best place to hunt for Castlevania artwork, and other artwork done by Kojima.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: danceofgold on May 21, 2011, 01:16:12 AM
These pics are beautiful. Although I've seen most of them before, I never tire of them. Thanks for sharing, Odile.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: 赤月 on May 21, 2011, 02:22:16 AM
Someone would have to buy that for my birthday.
My life will be complete~
Ayami Kojima is my favourite artist of all time, no one could create images like her.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: PFG9000 on May 21, 2011, 03:48:22 AM
Has anybody found a decent site to order this from?  Cdjapan is the only one I can find that has it in stock.  They're charging $41 for the book (Not bad!) and $67 for shipping (Crap.).  The cheapest I see it on ebay is $100 after shipping, and I know that douche bought it for half of that.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: Odile Kuronuma on May 21, 2011, 10:57:33 AM
Have you tried Play-Asia?
http://www.play-asia.com/Santa_Lilio_Sangre_Collection_of_Paintings/paOS-13-71-lt-49-fr-70-43b7.html (http://www.play-asia.com/Santa_Lilio_Sangre_Collection_of_Paintings/paOS-13-71-lt-49-fr-70-43b7.html)

I really want this artbook, but looks like you can only get it on ebay or sites that import japanese goods. Unfortunately I can't order from those sites :(.I really hope this artbook gets released outside of Japan someday, but I highly doubt it.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: whitedragon_nall on May 21, 2011, 11:14:28 AM
Has anybody found a decent site to order this from?  Cdjapan is the only one I can find that has it in stock.  They're charging $41 for the book (Not bad!) and $67 for shipping (Crap.).  The cheapest I see it on ebay is $100 after shipping, and I know that douche bought it for half of that.  Any suggestions?

I ordered mine off Play Asia a few months ago and the total came to just over $70. That was with the cheapest shipping option.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: PFG9000 on May 21, 2011, 02:03:56 PM
Thank you!  When I went to Play Asia yesterday, I couldn't find the book.  I was searching by "Ayami Kojima" and "Akai Yuri."  I should've known to just try the title as it appears on the book.
Title: Re: Ayami Kojima's first illustration book "Akai Yuri" out 08/12/2010
Post by: 赤月 on May 26, 2011, 06:15:28 AM
I don't know why but I really dig Trevor's design, I mean, if you think about it it's pretty ridiculous but I still see it sooo awesome  :o Ultimate Belmont IMO
Yep, Ayami Kojima's design for Trevor is just breathtaking. The scar made him look badass.
I also liked what she did with Richter for SoTN, it gave him a majestic feel.
She also did a wonderful job for Dracula X Chronicles.