Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide Review
09. Oct, 2008
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Matt Alt from AltJapan sent me this book he and Hiroko Yoda wrote about Japanese monsters. He must have known of my infatuation (perhaps long-term romance is another word) with Godzilla and other monsters, so of course, I enjoyed going through it immensely.
The great thing about this book is the general feel of it. It’s the size of a normal Japanese book (which tend to be smaller and sexier), but it also reminds me of manga that you would find in Japan. Still, on the other hand, the inside is more like a book (though with tons of pictures). The illustrations are really great, and the content is a mix between “facts” and “stories,” which is something I dig as a blogger (separating out information into categories makes things easier to read!).
There’s a little over forty “Yokai” featured in this book, all consisting of a few pages each (including illustration) spanning five chapters (Ferocious Fiends, Gruesome Gourmets, Annoying Neighbors, The Sexy & Slimy, and The Whimps). The stories are for the most part really interesting (think “Japanese Monster History Lessons.” Why couldn’t we have that in school?), and even include funny bits like “favorite foods” and “surviving an encounter.”
At the end of the book there are also some “Yokai Resources,” which I got a kick out of, including this one, which is the “Strange Phenomenon and Yokai Legend Database” (You’ll need to read Japanese for this one, though).
Overall, this was a really fun and smooth read, especially with the awesome illustration. I suppose I only have one complaint about it, and I’m sure many of you can guess what it is. No Godzilla. That makes Godzilla (and me) very very sad Godzilla Pandas.
But besides that, it was an awesome book, and I found myself wishing I had lifesized posters of some of the monsters on my wall. It’s on Amazon, and it’s pretty cheap, so if you like Japanese Monsters (or have a significant other that does), go get it before the rest of your stocks flo
*update: Aww, so I suppose Godzilla isn’t a Yokai. Oops on that one. Godzilla > Yokai ;)
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I love the illustrations in this book.
Ah! How exciting! :D
I need to order a book off of amazon anyway right now…(school library can't find my copy… >.<). I might just pick this up in the process.
i was never into godzilla,
sorry.
he's too… monster-like to be like-able.
i think
but i'm glad you enjoyed this book,
and godzilla.
-omar
Godzilla is not a yokai.
Hmmm.. Looks like it'll look great on my coffee table.
Not to argue, because I don't know…
Yokai is defined as a “spirit” “demon” or “monster” … I'm pretty sure Godzilla would fall into that category, but this is of course assuming that my definition is correct.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuES2BO3haA
Yeah, I've seen Claytonian's review before.
Not seen, really, but … known the existence of.
I've always thought of yōkai as naturally supernatural beings.
Godzilla is more of a man-made thing, isn't it?
Anyway, this reminds me that we should continue our yōkai series!
I agree with Erin.
You're all right, whoops. See the update!
aah, so my cat would fall into the category of yokai then. :) She is certainly NOT normal. haha
Wow that is so cool! It's a like a Japanese Flanimals! xxx
haha i like the update
and i agree xD
That looks like a really fun book…I'll add it to my list now.
yokai!
I reading about Japanese stories and fictional characters, and would love this book alot. A few months ago I heard about a great site that does a compilation of yokai that i have been reading on from time to time -> http://www.obakemono.com/
that looks amazing!! im always interested in finding out about another culture's monsters and stories!! i'm totally going to get this one! thanks for the review!! and i love the size and feel of japanese books! (much easier to carry and read!)
poor godzilla….and yes he is so much better than any yokai! lol.
The art here looks a lot like the stuff found in Hakaba Kitaro. Maybe by the same person? Or is this a certain art style that's fairly common?
AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! “that makes me a saaaaad panda…” (From South Park?)
anywho, I think I would want a copy of this book. It looks funny!
AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! “that makes me a saaaaad panda…” (From South Park?)
anywho, I think I would want a copy of this book. It looks funny!
I love the illustrations in this book.
Godzilla is not a yokai.
I love the illustrations in this book.
Godzilla is not a yokai.