Thank you so much Netgalley for the advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3 star rating. It's stated this is a step by step manga crash course to fantasy. I think this book is a bit advance for beginners.

It's always great to see new how-to books available, I enjoy leafing through them to see what hints and tips I can pick up, this one was an eye opener in as much as it is not for the real beginner. This book would sit well on the shelf of a more intermediate drawer and whilst it does cover basic equipment information the artwork examples and techniques could be off-putting to a beginner or less skilled but very enthusiastic individual. The quality of the instruction is good and allows for you to work through at your own pace although some stages did jump a little on and you needed to have covered all the material previously in order to get it.
Overall, this is generally a good book to have if you are into Manga and enjoy spending time submerged in drawing and creation.

*thank you to NetGalley and F+W Media/IMPACT for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

3 stars.
Interesting enough. The pictures and 'how to' type instructions are easy to follow. Its fairly basic but I can see it being used to waste a few hours or for a bjt of afternoon relaxing fun. Really think the manga fans will enjoy this and those who live to learn how to draw. I really like the fantasy theme, thats what appealed to me the most. While this was a good book, It is not really for me.

This book is a must for any library collection as it provides great instruction on how to draw.

IMPACT Publishing and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Manga Crash Course Fantasy: How to Draw Anime and Manga. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Manga Crash Course Fantasy is a drawing guide for those aspiring artists wanting a tutorial on fantasy Manga characters. With many pages dedicated to the types of material needed, tricks of the trade, and encouraging words, much of the book is taken up before drawing instruction ever starts. When the tutorial begins, however, the author pinpoints the eyes and the face, which are two areas that give Manga characters their signature look.

Following this section are ones regarding body shape, including height and positioning, hairstyles, clothing, and accessories. The author explains, in great detail, how to make Manga characters more believable but, at the same time, personalize them for more a unique look. Creatures and settings are also covered, giving fledgling artists the starting tools that they need to craft their own Manga drawings.

The biggest problem that I had with Manga Crash Course Fantasy was that the author fashioned a serious drawing book, but used cute little Manga characters to deliver the message. Adult readers may be turned off by this and younger ones might be overwhelmed by the drawing tutorials. The book almost suffers from an identity crisis, which may leave aspiring artists confused and discouraged. As a drawing book, I found Manga Crash Course Fantasy to have both high and low points. The instructions at the beginning of the book were quite helpful for first time artists, with the ending having more advanced ones. I would not recommend this book to beginners, except as inspiration for future instruction. Intermediate drawing students may find Manga Crash Course Fantasy interesting, especially if they are fans of the Manga genre.

This book is most suitable for intermediate level of skills. At first it starts like most how-to manga books: draw the circle, divide the head, there you put the eyes...etc. The first chapter is a fast forward of the basics, probably added as a formality or to give a reference background to the next chapter. The second chapter is where it starts to get interesting. It keeps the focus on anatomy but with addition of fantasy elements, different body shapes (not just skinny girls), dynamic poses, foreshortening, etc.

From this point on, the book has a lot of tips and tricks, not only about the technical aspects of drawing but for designing your characters. Sometimes you have the right proportions and style, yet your characters look wishy washy, lack expression, impact and originality. If you are in that intermediate stage of "I'm not a newbie, not yet awesome" this is a good reference book for polishing your drawings. Things like: creating original outfits by fusing clothes from different eras, color combinations, dynamic facial expressions and many other little details that are not properly discussed in other manga books.

Something that caught my attention was the introduction of advanced art concepts: dynamic pose, silhouette method for character creation, color theory and composition. They are not discussed in detail, just enough that you are aware of their existence while still having fun drawing and using that knowledge to your advantage. This is specially useful for those who plan to further develop their skills. They will be familiar with these concepts and have a smoother transition to the more advanced material. Specially recommended for those who struggle coming up with original characters.

I have read a lot of other manga drawing guides, while this is well laid out, it is nothing special. It does not hold any unique information that would entice me to buy it, and it is hard for total newbies, while amateurs might not exactly benefit from it.