Question about Tsubasa artbook

[yasteen.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if this kind of post is allowed here, if not, please feel free to delete it.

I'm finally ble to allow myself for TRC Album de Reproductions (the first one), but I'm hesitating between American and Japanese release. American publication would be cheaper, but I wonder about the quality of the publication in comparison to Japanese. Currently the price isn't a big barrier for me, but the language is - and I'd really love to read Clamp's comments for the art (I couldn't find translation for the first artbook).

So I'd be really grateful for any advice or information that helps me to compare those two releases (such as quality of paper, the cover - hard/soft? - I'm kinda geeky about this stuff ^^"). I tried to research on this on my own, but failed...

Thanks <3

Comments

[azianwolfdoll.livejournal.com]

I bought the English version (Del Ray) back in March, & compared to previous CLAMP artbooks that have been translated into English--(Specifically the Tokyopop releases.)--This one is surprisingly good!

The cover is soft & it has a slip jacket, as well. As you can see HERE (http://azianwolfdoll.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2m6udt), it's very large in comparison to your average Japanese CLAMP artbook. Think CCS Cheerio! artbook size. I can snap a few more pictures of it for you for visual comparison if you'd like. I won't dare try scanning my artbooks, though, in fear of bending something! But let me know if you'd like to see more pictures. I don't mind. =)

The pages are printed on glossy paper so in addition to having larger images, the quality is excellent, I'd say. It is also printed in classic Japanese format (from right to left), too. It was nice to be able to read the short comic in the back of the artbook, as well as the other comments made in the back.

So despite that it's not the Japanese version, you're still getting your money's worth but at a cheaper, more affordable price for those of us who can't spend 70+$ to get the Japanese versions.

[yasteen.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the info! <3 You've actually cleared up all my doubts ^^
American version seems a good deal :) Now I don't have regrets that I overslept an auction of Japanese artbook on ebay xD

[azianwolfdoll.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! Glad I could help. I only wish the English versions came with the goodies like the Japanese artbooks seem to get all the time. (Clear files, rare shitajikis, etc.)

[yasteen.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's a pity ;/ But it's like that with any originally Japanese merchandise, either it's manga, anime or j-music... domestic releases hardly come with any bonus goods.
Well, I've pleced an order for English version of the artbook =3 No matter how much I'd like a clear file (or whatever it is that goes with TRC Japanese artbook), I decided it's not really worth spending so much and not being able to read the content xD

[samekh.livejournal.com]

The Del Rey release is very, very good quality, and comparable to the original Japanese release. I have both of them, and aside from minor differences in the cover (The slip jacket is a little different iirc, but I'm not at home to check ;A;), it's pretty much the same. Both books were softcover, and again - they're very similar. The paper quality is excellent, and everything is in tact from the original, including the omake and the translation notes!

[yasteen.livejournal.com]

That helps a lot, thank you! =)

[aria-san.livejournal.com]

Thanks everyone for their responses and to the original poster as well! In fact, not less than an hour ago I placed my order for the first artbook and then saw this...I'm glad I'll be getting a quality artbook! ^^;