Tokyo Ghoul Zakki

​Where ever you are in your manga art journey, do not sleep on this gorgeous pair of illustration books from the manga series Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida. I have found them inspiring and they are a joy to look through.

Universal hints

These books came into my life as I, begrudgingly, opened up to the idea of creating digital art and, gasp, using a drawing tablet. I mention this because Sui Ishida suggested that he had started using a tablet at the beginning of Tokyo Ghoul, which became a beacon for me as I started my new journey. After warming up to drawing on a screen, I began experimented with painting techniques, these books became a great inspiration, guide and comfort. Before wading into sequential art I was a painter, the way these books showcase Sui Ishida's painting techniques delights me, and show his growth fantastically. Many of the illustrations are accompanied by dates, so we get to walk along the timeline as his illustrations go from fairly standard manga fare, to a unique and dynamic, illustrative but impressionistic and abstract style. I enjoyed getting a little insight into his thoughts and, especially at the beginning, the struggle to adapt to both the tablet and crushing deadlines of penning such a popular series. Thankfully for us, he persevered and we can watch these slightly abstract illustrations blossom in the second series, Tokyo Ghoul: Re.

What is this again?

Let's back up a little , what is Tokyo Ghoul, and who Is Sui Ishida? 
Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human, half-Ghoul hybrid. Now he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society, and master his new powers.

Sui Ishida was born in Fukuoka, Japan. He is the author of Tokyo Ghoul and several one-shots, including one that won him second place in the Weekly Young Jump 113th Grand Prix award in 2010. Tokyo Ghoul began serialization in Weekly Young Jump in 2011 and has since been adapted into multiple anime, video games and novels.

Illustration Book 1 : Zakki

As Tokyo ghoul began, around 2011, I thought the art felt tense and confined. As we've discussed, Sui Ishida struggled with the new process and workload, but as time passes we can see him relax and loosen up his style.
Traveling through the pages we almost join Sui Ishida as he plays with texture and transparency, trying out outlines or none, even experimenting with interesting compositions and increasingly dynamic colors. The addition of line work in the next book Re:Zakki was one of my favorite things and looking through the first book Zakki, you can see it starting and developing.
As with any art form and experiment, sometimes you go too far in one direction and it isn't quite right. The 2013 cover of Tokyo Ghoul Days (novel) stood out in Zakki and I initially thought it was anime art. While generally visually appealing, it’s comparably flat and boring next to the loose and soft digital oil. I missed that unique voice.
Sui Ishida must have felt similarly about that cover. In the following page are comments that it “didn’t sit well” and he tried to find a place in between the two styles. The cover that followed features a more dynamic composition, a return to oil brush but now included linework. There are many examples in this book where we get insight into the art, process and Sui Ishida's thoughts on the piece. 
The way these books are put together showcases this artistic journey and are a joy read, re-read and reference. I wish they had been a larger A4 format, but the 7x10 or so Hardback is aesthetically pleasing so I can forgive.

Illustration Book 2 : Re:Zakki

Tokyo Ghoul Re: Zakki, is thicker and feels more like a celebration of the art than an apologetic confessional.
The images are larger, the notes and dates are given less importance. In the foreword, Sui Ishida comments that during the creation of Tokyo Ghoul Zakki the artwork began to feel like “bonus” material and putting together Tokyo Ghoul RE: Zakki he started to appreciate his own work.
When poring over these pages I found it easy to feel the playfulness and curiosity, they feel more like abstract canvas art than comic or manga illustration. Which is what drew me to this book in the first place. 
Page after page of powerful and beautiful *gasp* digital art…wait...what? 
I’ll be honest, this book actually completely changed my feelings about digital painting. 
Now I just stare at the textures and imagine the extensive layering crammed into this 300-ish paged, $30.00 book. In the back interview questions were included from the magazines that published Tokyo Ghoul. It’s fun and a cute insight into the elusive and secretive creator.

Should I get one though?

Ultimately if you must pick one, I would suggest Re: Zakki, it’s a beautiful book and spoke to me as both a painter and someone newly enticed (tricked?) into using a digital tablet. I could gush endlessly about this book, it cheered me up at the end of 2020 while in lockdown hell, so I may be biased. 
It is, however, worth getting the first Zakki too if you can spare $25. Seeing san artists growth and development can be a suggestive guide on one's own path. Seeing art grow is always fun and the two books work well together.

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​Tokyo Ghoul Illustrations: zakki features artwork and behind-the-scenes notes, commentary and ruminations from Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida. Discover the creative process that brought the hit manga and anime to life, in gloriously ghoulish full color.

  $24.99
Viz Signature Nov 2017

​Tokyo Ghoul:re Illustrations: zakki features artwork and behind-the-scenes notes, commentary and a Q&A from Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida. Discover the creative process behind the popular series in gloriously ghoulish full color.

  $30.00
Viz Signature Nov 2020

English version

Japanese version

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What do you think?
Have you seen these books?
Do you like them? Hate them? ”Meh”?
​Are there manga art books I should check out?
Let me know in the comments down below!
Love, Zen ​