Tsubasa Chronicle Official Fanbook | I didn't really think that they would have anything new or important in this book, since the anime started a couple of weeks before they put into press? Maybe less? Flipping through it, a lot of the images are some that have already appeared in Newtype or Animedia or Animage. Even the freebie, a postcard of this image wasn't anything that most of the fans haven't seen before.

The first thirty pages or so was an anime comic of the first episode. Essentially, screencaps of episode 1 with text bubbles for dialogue. Okay. I guess that's neat if 1) I didn't already have 500 screencaps of episode 1, or 2) I haven't seen the anime. Some people may fall in either of those categories, but not I. (Of course, it's not the publisher's fault that I'm a psycho obsessed completionist, but let's not go there). It was followed by character sketches of the five main characters, with partial pages given to Tomoyo, Souma, Chii, Fujitaka, and Sakura's father. Yes, that's what he's called. Even though we all know who he is, they choose not to give him a proper name, instead sticking to the vague "Sakura's father." What, isn't he Touya's father too?

There's also an interview with Ohkawa, and the director and some other Bee-Train person, I think. If anybody's interested, I don't mind scanning it later when I get home -- maybe this would reveal some insight on what happened to the anime? On why it's not very good. (I know, I'm too nice XD).

There are also interviews with other members of the anime staff, including the scriptwriters and even Kajiura. But the bulk of the material focuses on the seiyuu and how cute and how fun it is to work together (I dunno; I just made that content up, I told you I don't read Japanese). Namikawa Daisuke must've gotten a stylist as of late, he's looking quite pretty lately. He's the only one who bothers to make the 'peace' sign in the cast pictures; he even has his legs crossed in one. Could he be possibly projecting the spirit of Fai?

Final thoughts: Don't buy with the expectations of getting an anime artbook. If you want to know more about the story itself, I think the Caractere Guide is a better book. The Anime Fanbook is something you'd get if you have a few extra bucks on you, or if you're a Psycho Obsessed Completionist. (Written 26-May 2005)