Finally got my hands on an affordable copy of the long elusive, but much beloved Okami artbook. I learned so much from this collection of artworks, especially through the designer's commentary. The quality of the images vary, some are more pixelated than others but overall depicts many details and concepts clearly that are always a real treat to look and study, no matter who you are. The book is not a gaming guide with walkthroughs or strategies on enemy takedowns- it's 288 pages of incredible paintings, illustrations, and other artwork that reflect the Ukiyo-e style and Japanese mythology. Everything in the book is captioned and character designs are explained down to the detail of their own concept history, the artist's reflection and can even include why they wear what they wear and other lesser known trivia. There's quite a lot of information but it's all worth it since the storytelling aspect of this game is powerful. I think my only gripe is small enough to look over, but they don't give the (English) names of some of the characters. Okami is my favorite video game and it feels excellent to finally have this secured in my own library. I read it cover to cover and will find myself returning to it occasionally just to admire. I would recommend it to any art appreciator though, as I think it would leave a strong impression on them or at least inspire them to pick up the game/watch a walkthrough. ( )

After perpetual delays in the English translation, Udon did finally get around to releasing the (300-page, full color) "Okami" art book in June 2008. It was mostly worth the wait.

As with most art books, the "Okami: Official Complete Works" is a series of game and concept artwork with commentary from people involved - both in the creative process of the art and the game itself. There are, interestingly, musical cues to match parts of the art book, but as I don't have the soundtrack CD I can't check them. The (English) commentary is marked with what I presume to be kanji noting the author of the book; I can't read the language, but the English version of the names is given early on, so it still works as an author marker.

Since Okami got a great deal of praise for it's art direction, you'd expect the concept art to be beautiful, and it is. A lot of this was already used in the game - particularly the large pieces - but not all of it, and it's nice to have it printed out. The biggest disappointment here is actually that more of the pieces didn't get full page treatment, particularly some of the "leftover" pieces in the back. They got a number of different people to do the commentary on the early art - generally, whoever worked on it - and it's often informative (and occasionally very odd, in a "Only in Japan ..." kind of way) on the development of some the material. Okami was a unique game; a browse through the art is well worth it. ( )