The Art of El Tigre: The Adventure of Manny Rivera
Revisit the hit Nickelodeon series with this bilingual book (English and Spanish), featuring sketches, early character designs and interviews with creators Jorge R. Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua as well as key animators and artists. Written by Chris McDonnell (Adventure Time: The Art of Ooo, The Art of Invader Zim).
[Abrams | $40]
The Art of The Imaginary
For fans who can’t wait for a local printing, the Japanese-language exploration of Studio Ponoc’s fantastical new Netflix feature is available from specialty retailers. The book is loaded with production art, including image boards, character design sketches and background paintings. Gallery Nucleus also has a limited number of copies signed by director Yoshiyuki Momose and producer Yoshiaki Nishimura ($85).
[Kadokawa | $46 | japanese-creative-books.com / gallerynucleus.com]
The Last Unicorn (4K Remaster)
Rankin/Bass’s enchanting 1982 fantasy receives a high-def update in this new set, remastering the 2D animation with a 4K transfer of the 35mm interpositive. Featuring the voices of Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Lee and more, the magical adventure comes bundled with making-of featurette, animated storyboards, a Q&A and brand-new profile of author/screenwriter Peter S. Beagle. Fans who order through Shout! Factory will get an exclusive poster while supplies last.
[Shout! Factory | $35 | Aug. 20]
Drawing for Nothing
Celebrate the unseen creativity of canceled animated features with this free digital compendium chronicling the fates of axed titles like Me and My Shadow, B.O.O., Dreaming Machine, Larrikins, Dragon’s Lair and more.
Your Animated Journey
Billed as a self-help guide to anyone interested in an animation career, author Joshua Pinker leverages his experience as an animation student, intern, staffer and freelancer to present a comprehensive how-to to help you survive and thrive in a challenging industry. The physical and bonus editions include a Q&A section with even more advice from working animators.
[youranimatedjourney.com | $35 | $20 ebook]
Dragonkeeper
The pioneering Spanish-Chinese co-pro makes its stateside DVD debut this month. Based on the fantasy novel by Carole Wilkinson, the CG feature follows a girl named Ping who goes on a quest to save an imperiled dragon and all its kind. Featuring the voices of Bill Nighy and newcomer Mayalinee Griffits, the movie is directed by Salvador Simó.
[Shout! | $20 | Aug. 27]
Popeye the Sailor: the 1960s TV Cartoons (Updated)
Originally released in 2022, the new edition includes detailed origins of several episodes based on Thimble Theatre comics by E.C. Segar in author Fred M. Grandinetti’s hand-picked “best of” section.
[BearManor Media | $35 HC | $25 PB | $10 ebook]
【Oshi No Ko】Season 1 Collector’s Edition
One of the most popular new anime series streaming in the U.S. this year gets a deluxe SteelBook release this month. Produced by Doga Kobo and directed by Daisuke Hiaramik & Chao Nekotomi, the YA show follows a doctor and patient who die and are reborn as twins heirs to a famous J-pop idol — tale as old as time! The set includes a third bonus disc with ~100 minutes of material, including a making-of featurette.
[Sentai | $130 CE | $70 BD]
Neopets Tabletop RPG
With the popular digital pet platform celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the crew at Geekify launched a Kickstarter for this officially endorsed project on July 12. Built on an easy to learn d20 system, the game lets you create a custom Neopets character (50 species to choose from), form a party, explore the far corners of Neopia and revel in nostalgia as you go on quests, solve puzzles and forge your destiny.
