Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed....
Review: I really love Chris Hart's art books and 'how to' art books in general, but this book is sub par for Chris.My biggest disappointment was the serious lack of 'how to' drawing illustrations actually included in this book. This book is comprised of mostly completed illustrations, and lacks the sort of detail Manga is famous for. The sections on 'head shots' is simplistic, the line quality heavy, and the color unspectacular. To make matters worse, over 3/4 of the book is filled with finished drawings. If you are the sort of artist who learns by looking at finished illustrations, this book is for you. However, if you were looking for a 'step-by-step' approach, this book would be a poor choice. I recommend reviewing this book before purchasing.
Rating: 
Summary: Missing the boat typical otaku
Review: I think people are forgetting that this book is suppose to be a stepping stone to designing your original characters.
This book is supposed inspire the reader and user not teach them how to draw Goku or Sailor Moon.
I'm well aware of the book's flaws.
I recommend the book based on your learning style though.
If you're quick learner get this book if not forget it.
Rating:
Summary: Very "Westernized"!
Review: I would never recommend this book to anyone who takes the Animee/Manga world seriously. This book is a joke. How can I possibly learn to draw these objects with such a confusing format?
If you buy this book you will be sorry. This book is a disgrace to the art of Anime/Manga cartooning.
Rating: 
Summary: Kids Will Like This Book. Serious Anime Fans Will Not.
Review: I would rename this book, THE ART OF WESTERNIZED ANIME. The colorful illustrations are great, but there isn't much instruction on "How To" achieve the drawings. It's a much better idea-generator book. There has also been some criticism about the "Americanized" anime used in this book. I agree that hard-core Anime fans will notice right away that there is something "wrong" with the drawings, the characteristic anime nose, for example. Despite the above mentioned, the Pokemon crowd will really enjoy this book. The most obvious reason is that it is in COLOR and is filled with ILLUSTRATIONS. It also has pages of those draw "cute" anime critters. So, while it may not be traditional Anime, the younger crowd is not likely to notice, and may actually prefer the "westernized" look. And the lack of instructions probably works to their advantange as well (don't most kids like to skip to the end of instructions, anyway?) For serious Anime fans, who are truly interested in learning how to draw Japanese Anime, I recommend taking a look at HOW TO DRAW ANIME & GAME CHARACTERS, VOL.1, by TADASHI OZAWA. This book/series is popular in Japan, and has now been translated into English (by an American publishing Co, so have no fear of "all-your-base-belong-to-us" English!) It has step-by-step instructions and the characters really look authentic. Why? Well, because, it's written/illustrated by an animation director at STUDIO GHIBLI (Oscar-winning SPIRITED AWAY) The book, however, is completely in black & white, and while it is completely suitable for kids, will probably not be as attention-keeping as CHRIS HART'S ANIME MANIA. Overall, I give this book 4 STARS. The breakdown:
5-STAR rating for kids and people who's range of Anime consists of Afternoon cartoons. Highly Recommended.
3-STAR rating for serious Anime fans. Neutral Recommendation. (It still makes a good "Art of" book, though)
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: My drawing has already improved greatly after reading this book. The techniques explained are not to be ignored! This has pushed me over the hump to the next level in my craft. Good balance of storyboard sketching to full blown finished pictures.
Rating:
Summary: DANGER DANGER!
Review: Ok, this book isn't all that great, nor is it that bad. Its NOT a book for BEGINERS. I wouldn't recomend this book for a serious manga fan, because you will be HIGHLY dissopointed. Its not really manga, but more of a cross between western styled and cheap anime. The coloring isn't that great. Most of everything is western styles, and what actually resembels anime looks stupid. I wouldn't say this is a how to draw book. Its thick with loads of pictures, but it doesn't tell you HOW to draw them. Buy this book if you can learn from looking at pictures. I would suggest you buy something else. I must admit, it did improve my drawing, but not much.
Rating:
Summary: Americanized anime
Review: This book does a nice job attempting to teach the anime style, but falls short of teaching beyond what is already basic and typical of anime. It also fails to achieve a very objective approach. As a fan of the art style, I collect art books on anime both in Japanese and in English, and it's very obvious just from taking a quick glance through the book that it's a highly westernized interpretation of the art style (just look at the costumes, for instance). Additionally, it doesn't go into the storytelling methods and cliches of anime-style art, which, being an art book, might seem okay, but I think it's important information to understand in order to learn how to draw anime convincingly (proper camera angles, settings, keyframes, etc). The majority of the book goes over figure drawing in very typical anime proportions and drawing by example. If I had the chance to look through the book before purchasing it, I would not have bought it, but unfortunately I ordered it online and could not do so.
Rating:
Summary: NO ANIME HERE JUST MUTUAL ANIMATION!
Review: This book doesn't have a even the slightest HINT of anime, this guy has NO CLUE what he is talking about! Some general rules of animation are somewhat useful but ANIME IS UNEXISTANT IN THIS BOOK!! I cannot stess this enough! His animations are a mix of western animation and japanese animation except there are ONLY THE WORST QUALITIES OF EACH!!! If you want a anime/manga book, PLEASE buy one from a japanese profesional animator, but STEER CLEAR OF THIS BOOK!!! THey should pay you just to even consider this thing! It has no right to even bear the WORD anime, much less make the false claim of knowing ANYTHING about the nature of anime. THIS BOOK IS NO GOOD!!! (barf!)
Rating:
Summary: Not for Serious Learners
Review: This book isn't for people who seriously want to learn how to draw animé and manga. It's obvious it was made with that in mind, but somewhere in the jumble of publication, Mr. Hart forgot that he was trying to teach the reader- not show them pretty pictures.
The book covers basic character concepts, but ones that should come intuitively to any one that has watched TV and/or gone to highschool, like the cheerleader, troublemaker, outcast, entrepeneur, farmer, and a fantasy and scifi fighters' squad. It doesn't really teach you anything you couldn't learn by going 'underground' and just buying some manga comics and teaching yourself by looking through them.
Pretty much all this book does is designate a (very general) character concept, give a brief paragraph on the type of character despite the obvious fact that all of us already understand what kind of person that character is, and then provide us with a figure and complete sketch.
I was not impressed by the main content.
On the other hand, the interviews and how-to's on working in Japan are interesting, things like equipment you may find in an animation studio and different phrases you might need to start off with if you plan to work as an artist in Japan (a rough venture).
In all, I'd say it would be best to buy a book on human anatomy and detailed character concepts, this book doesn't really make itself worth the twenty.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!!
Review: This book not only helped me with my drawing skills but helped me make a friend from Japan. Anime Mania has great drawings and grand tips. I've become a better artist and my art grade reased quite a bit too.
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