Lest you wonder why I'm rambling about Japanese artists, today's review takes a look at a compilation of some of Amano's better-known art from the Final Fantasy franchise. Everything you need to know is after the jump!
All of this properly begins in 2012, with the 25th anniversary of the Final Fantasy series. Square Enix went all out: huge events, concerts, merchandise galore ranging from arrangement albums to plush toys to (my favorite) an enormous collector's box with every Final Fantasy game from the main series. Of course, most if not all of these goodies were Japan-only, so foreign fans (like myself) had to either pony up huge amounts of cash to import these goods, or stare at them from behind our dusty, pixellated computer screens, weeping copious tears of jealousy and rage.
One of the crown jewels of this anniversary celebration was the reprinting of Amano's 2002 Final Fantasy artbook set, "The Sky." This Japan-only set sold out quickly after hitting stores, so many, many fans were left coveting a copy for themselves. Thus, in a celebratory mood, not only was the set reprinted, but made available for a worldwide release. Dark Horse obtained the rights and sold it within North America as "The Sky: The Art of Final Fantasy Boxed Set." Sadly, this first run was limited to a thousand copies, made even more ultra-rare and desirable by being signed by Amano himself. It had tons of goodies included, with booklets and prints...and of course, a pretty steep MSRP to compensate ($139.99, ouch). Needless to say, a freshly-graduated Miss Scarlett had neither the money nor the luck at the time to obtain a copy.
Happily enough, Dark Horse decided to offer a second, more widely available print run after the first boxed set sold out. (So third time's a charm?) This second print run is "The Sky: The Art of Final Fantasy Slipcased Edition," which is what we're looking at today. Dark Horse started printing these back in the summer of 2013, and I waited for a bit to get this, price-shopping around. For those curious, this edition is much cheaper, at a $89.99 MSRP, and it's pretty much due to the lack of all the extra goodies that came with the boxed edition (as well as the signature). It also has a printed cloth slipcase, as opposed to a harder box. The art on the slipcase is the same as the box, although the books in the slipcased edition are slightly bigger.
I was able to purchase a copy during Right Stuf's holiday sale, where it was being offered for a cool $45, 50% off the MSRP. And looking it over, I'd have to say that it is completely worth it.
This sucker is heavy; according to my handy-dandy scale, about 12 pounds. This is definitely a coffee table type of book, make no bones about it. The slipcase is about a foot tall and a foot long, and approximately three inches wide. It's massive, to say the least. This definitely wouldn't fit easily on a standard shelf, but then again, this is a collector's item that is intended to be displayed. I'd personally pull the books out to sit on the coffee table but leave the slipcase in a prominent position to ooh and ahh over.
The slipcase is gorgeous, just gorgeous; it is covered in a soft and shimmery fabric. I love running my hands over it. You can see the pull-tab used to open the slipcase on the side of the box.
Dark Horse put the product information on a sheet of paper shrink-wrapped to the back. It's got the same graphic as the front of the slipcase, but nothing exciting otherwise.
The reverse of the information sheet has some more art, though, plus a listing of other Amano art books available from Dark Horse. Just like Pokemon, ya gotta catch 'em all.
This is what the back of the slipcase actually looks like. Not exciting, sadly. It does explain how the art is divvied up: Book One has art from Final Fantasy I through III, Book Two has Final Fantasy IV through VI, and Book Three has Final Fantasy VII through X.
The side view of pulling open the flap. You can see that the bulk of his art was for the 4th, 5th, and 6th games. The books slide out easily, but you have to tip the box to do so; there's not much room for your fingers to pull the books out.
Let's take a peak at the contents of each book, shall we?
I won't lie, there were chills down my spine when I opened it to the page for the first game. It's incredible to see where it all began!
The paper quality is excellent, very smooth with a bit of gloss. The graphics just pop off the page.
Not digging Book Two's cover. What is that?
It's sometimes a little hard to tell characters apart, or decide if it's alternate designs for the same character. Two Terras? Alternate Celes and Terra? WHO KNOWS.
Book 3 contains his work from Final Fantasy VII to X. That's some of his linework for VII on the cover, actually!
I will admit that it's a little jarring to see the characters from the more "modern" games depicted in Amano's style, as opposed to Nomura's, but it works very well for some characters. I'm fascinated by his design for VII's Sephiroth (left page); it reminds me a bit of Setzer from VI.
Vivi (Final Fantasy IX)'s concept art here is nothing short of mind-boggling in its level of care and detail. I've always found it fascinating how characters can begin their lives with lavish, complex designs on paper, and then end up in a pared-down pixellated version in the game itself.
I didn't even know he did work for X! I'm really digging this pencil sketch of Tidus; it honestly feels like he's floating in the ocean.
Also, this lovely ink-pen sketch of the logo for X.
While I'd love to take pictures of basically every page, you get the idea. This set just knocks it out of the park. If you're a fan of Amano's work, this is a must-have, no ifs, ands, or buts. It's simply captivating, and an amazing value, especially if you can find it for the same price I did.
Miss Scarlett suggests: Final Fantasy fans need to check this out; definitely a collectible worthy to be added to your home!
