When I first heard that Abrams ComicArts would be publishing Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater, I was pretty excited. Kamishibai, or "paper theater" is a uniquely Japanese form of street theater / storytelling that contributed to the evolution of manga in Japan. While kamishibai is well-known in Japan, there were very few books about this disappearing artform available in English -- that is, until now.
The cover art offered a hint of what would be in this coffee table-worthy art book: lots of full-color illustrations from kamishibai stories, including World War II kiddie propaganda, adventure stories and dramas. On this front Manga Kamishibai delivered exactly as promised: it's a really nice art book for comics fans and Japanese pop culture connoisseurs.
But then I started reading this book. While I really, really wanted to like Manga Kamishibai, it slowly dawned on me that it has several annoying flaws. Check out my review of Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater, and maybe you'll see what I mean, or maybe you'll think I'm just easily irritated!
Manga Kamishibai is included on my Great Manga Gift Books list (and it's still is a good gift book for a manga fan!), as well as my Fall 2009 Preview list. I'll be coming out with the Winter 2010 list soon, as well as my Best of 2009 list, so stick around for that!
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