The Old School Otaku Lounge

kndy wrote:
How long did the Roman Albums last? Looking through it, it's an amazing value for 890 yen...especially that I got it pretty cheap, a lot of pages!

I lost touch with current Japanese publishing circa 1996 (!) so I can't be 100% sure but the last numbered RA (#56) is Final Yamato from 1983. It appears that Tokuma would every once in a while pop out unnumbered RA's, generally tied to a Ghibli release. The last 'general anime' RA I have is from 1994's Blue Seed (book published in '95) and it's much more a 'look at MOE girl' book as opposed to the old 'this is an overview of a series' style.

Here's an example of one I had no clue existed. Legend of the Galactic Hero. Note, no RA number.

http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h177270087

So, that's what I know. The Roman Album started with Yamato and died with Yamato. Everything else is just random releases.

For those who still haven't gotten classic Dragon Ball on DVD yet, Amazon's Gold Box deal for today only is pretty sweet: The first 5 Seasons (plus the movie collection) are all on sale Today Only for under $15 a pop (the 1st 3 box sets are even under $12!) http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/r ... 03F98G115Z

I can't help but brag about my copy of "Vifam: Perfect Memory" that I snagged off of an Amazon seller (of all places). A mammoth slice of images and info on this unique 80's mecha classic, the Vifam Perfect Memory book is quite substantial (like a Roman Album on steroids really!) and the original price of 2800 Yen reflected the quality of this book (for example, the contemporary Goshogun: Time Etranger Roman Album was 850 Yen).

That Vifam book is pretty cool-looking! Reminds me of the Macross: Perfect Memory book. (Which I may buy on my next trip to Mandarake.)

Here's my recent badassalicious YAJ prize: a 20x28" Crusher Joe poster! OH YEAH! This was only 150 yen!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevethefi ... 321132778/

Wow, those are both awesome! (esp. that poster, Greg, omg....150 yen?! Amazing!)

cosmosamurai wrote:I can't help but brag about my copy of "Vifam: Perfect Memory" that I snagged off of an Amazon seller (of all places). A mammoth slice of images and info on this unique 80's mecha classic, the Vifam Perfect Memory book is quite substantial (like a Roman Album on steroids really!) and the original price of 2800 Yen reflected the quality of this book (for example, the contemporary Goshogun: Time Etranger Roman Album was 850 Yen).

Good score, still has the obi strip and everything!

Yeah, those Perfect Memory books were awesome. Macross, Vifam, the Votoms Odyssey book, and Out Magazine was done, caught up in whatever it was that started killing anime publishing. These books seemed to be an adjustment compared to the Tokuma Roman Album (which was mainly focused on preserving the memory of a show or movie in a time of no home video), going to great depths to explore some of the 'world' created and implied, filling in some gaps, extrapolating and so on.

There was a lot of innovation going on, publishers finding niches to explore and exploit, every product line seemed to have different 'takes' on what content to generate.

(if you follow me on tumblr or instagram, you might've already seen these, but I can't help gushing about them!!)

I got all these amazing goodies thanks to nemishop! Who btw, still has some amazing nostalgic anime and game goodies, so definitely check her out.

From right to left: Atsuko Nakajima Works artbook, Period Kenichi Sonoda manga artbook, Compiler 1&2 by Kia Asamiya, Blue Seed 1 by Yuzo Takada/Take Shobo, and a Project A-Ko Parody Comic 2, featuring artwork from Takashi Akaishizawa, Hiroshi Aro, Kazushi Hagiwara, and more!

I usually never buy anything for myself or splurge often, so this was a real treat. Especially because the prices were so good on everything. I’m taking my time soaking them all in. The artwork in everything just screams awesome.

Lucky prezzy from the man behind the pen. Leiji can be a cantankerous old sod, but he can be generous to a poor lad with bad-luck tale...

Holy cats, Leiji Matsumoto GAVE you that?! O__O That's amazing!

ryoran wrote:Period Kenichi Sonoda manga artbook,

I have that book! I actually scanlated the two BGC manga from that book.
You can read them here.