Print is having a difficult time with everything online and up-to-date, however real books that you can hold, touch, and actually flip the pages is still desired by many. When all the gadgets fail and only a light source is available, a book will come through for you.
That is why the Rough Guide to Anime by travel writer, Simon Richmond, is the perfect gift for new friends and even old schoolers may find some interesting tidbits here and there.
Published back in 2009, the Rough Guide starts off with a solid history of anime and not just the titles but the dedicated artists and animators who toiled long hours to get it right.
The early history of anime is still valid and well researched by Simon Richmond and shows the fan just how far the art form has evolved up to 2009. Is you really love something, you should take in a little history to better appreciate what is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
Next, the Rough Guide moves into the 50 titles that make up the Canon. This is where the newbie will have a field day. When you have exhausted all the current season shows and you are still wanting more, you can glance at the Canon and read up on a specific title to see if it is right for you. The reviews are intelligent and well researched and provide just enough information not to spoil anything.
The Rough Guide also has a chapter on how anime is created, and another chapter on the many genres, and a listing of books, magazines, websites, podcasts, and online stores that carter to the raging anime fan.
What I found particularly useful, and something less likely to change even in an older book, are the places in Japan to go to see anime and find stores to get your fix. I know the obvious choices like Akihabara and Nakano Broadway, but I didn't know the Toei Animation Studios has a free museum opened to the public or that Ishinomori Shotaro, creator of Cyborg 9 and the wonderful Kamen Rider, has a museum in Ishinomaki called Ishinomaki Mangattan Museum.
However with all these good points there are a few flaws. There are numerous grammar errors that were somehow messed by the proof reader. Also, Simon Richmond, writing about Gatchaman says that it is 60's anime when it actually debuted in 1972. The biggest flaw is that there is no mention of Den Den Town the electronics, anime, and manga shopping district of Osaka. Nakano Broadway is only briefly mentioned and only in connection with Mandarake, when there are so many cool otaku shops worth checking out.
For all it faults, The Rough Guide to Anime is still an entertaining read. Now that it is out-of-print, a good used copy can be found at many online used bookstores for only $1. This is something to give to that new fan who wants to dig a little deeper than what is currently popular.
Overall, I give it a solid C. It would earn a B it better care was taken at the proof reading stage. This is a book that seriously needs an update.
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