It isn’t easy to write for children, regardless of the type of content so when I got a chance to review A Kid’s Guide to Anime & Manga I eagerly accepted it without knowing what to expect. Written by Samuel Sattin and Patrick Macias, this guide intends to introduce children to the world of Japanese animation and comics, that is anime and manga. It briefly goes over the history, best recommendations, genres, and cosplay basics, but it also features interviews with some big names from the anime journalism world and even an interview with Witch Hat Atelier author, Kamome Shirahama.
The guide starts by introducing Japan and its culture, before moving on to manga and anime. Although educational, these chapters didn’t feel too dense, the topics are presented clearly and in an appealing way. The recommendation section was probably my favorite: in addition to explaining what various genres represent, each chapter also has a dedicated section to recommendations for old and new titles. There is even a quiz to help you determine which series you should consider getting into (I eagerly did it, although I’m a bit above the targeted age) with results that offer some pretty good ideas.
If you get a physical edition of A Kid’s Guide to Anime & Manga don’t be disappointed that it doesn’t come in hardcover. The book feels luxurious with glossy paper, amazing full-page thematic illustrations by Utomaru, and “fun-looking” text. One thing I will say: this guide is very pink and purple and it gives off a kawaii Sailor Moon vibe. While I do think that it looks good, it might be something to consider if you are getting this as a gift for a child who is especially picky about color schemes.
Overall, the book should make for a nice gift in the upcoming Christmas season. It is a great, safe introduction to the anime and manga world and it feels like it tries to include all the main groups that would enjoy this content, from readers and writers to artists and even action fans. It’s safe to say it managed to meet the expectations.
A Kid’s Guide to Anime & Manga: Exploring the History of Japanese Animation and Comics by Samuel Sattin and Patrick Macias is now on sale. The same writer duo recently also published The Essential Anime Guide – a brief look at the most influential anime titles in history.
Anime Corner received a copy of this book for review purposes, courtesy of the Running Press Kids/Hachette Book Group.