You would think that a history book would be told in chronological order....but no, that would be too simple and informative.

Reading Wikipedia is 100x more informative, easier to digest, and fun.

I'm a huge fan of Japanese history, and was keen to learn more in a fun, manga format. This book was a huge let down. I really, really tried to like it....but the manga panel pages dont really convey much meaning, and the diagrams and flow charts throughout feel non-sensical. While the book is organised in chapters of chronologically ordered time periods, within each chapter the text seems to bounce around different topics willy-nilly and is highly confusing. On top of being confusing, the text manages to be incredibly boring, dry, and poorly translated in a way that feels clunky.

If you can't read Japanese, I highly recommend using Google Translate or a similar app to at least get a rough idea of what the artist's notes at the bottom of each page say. They talk about lamenting over the tiniest of details and specific things, which makes me appreciate the amazing artistry even more. The paper and printing quality is exceptional and allows you to really appreciate all the detail and love that went into the sets and background of this amazing film.

The artworks in this book are all beautiful, the paper and printing quality is top notch, and the stories that the artworks tell are surprisingly haunting and emotive, especially if you are familiar with the landscapes. Theres a short making of and interview with the artist in the back, but for the most part no knowledge of the Japanese language is needed to enjoy the collected artworks.