Shiro Mi Sakana (Yukiko Horiguchi) First Art Collection – Deluxe Edition
This deluxe edition is the first curated art collection by Yukiko Horiguchi, who works under the pen name "Shiro Mi Sakana." Known for her delicate and translucent art style, Horiguchi has made significant contributions to the anime industry with works like K-ON!, Tamako Market, and 22/7. This art collection brings together her most notable illustrations, celebrating the graceful and charming girls she is renowned for, and spanning from her professional projects to rare, personal pieces created during her student years.
The collection is thoughtfully curated by Shiro Mi Sakana herself, featuring magazine covers, novel illustrations, pin-up posters, collaboration pieces, and original works. Each piece is accompanied by her handwritten comments, offering insights into her creative process and personal connection to the artwork. The illustrations, mostly created with watercolor and colored ink, radiate a warm, analog charm that has become her signature style. To further enhance the collection’s appeal, some artworks have been retouched or redrawn, while others were created specifically for this book, making it an essential collector’s item.
A Glimpse Inside the Collection
The art book opens with stunning magazine illustrations, including covers for Yuri Hime and artworks for Quarterly S. It also features an extensive selection of novel illustrations, showcasing her ability to capture diverse themes and narratives. Titles like Beyond the Door, Steps to Zarathustra, Colosseum, and Chronicles of the White Butterfly: How to Break Free and Make You Smile highlight her storytelling artistry, while works like Imaginary Friend and After-School Game Friends: The Season You Were There reflect her signature blend of emotion and delicacy.
The collaboration and tribute section showcases Shiro Mi Sakana's versatility and impact on various franchises. Illustrations for KimiKiss, ef – a fairy tale of the two, Higurashi When They Cry Kai, Little Busters!, Non Non Biyori, and Fate/Grand Order are featured, alongside iconic works like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and NHK’s weather mascot Haru-chan. These pieces highlight her influence across genres and platforms.
The book also offers a rare glimpse into her early years, featuring original illustrations from her student days and pieces previously shared on her personal website. These works document her artistic growth and experimental style, adding a layer of nostalgia and depth to the collection.
Special Features
Shiro Mi Sakana has carefully refined and retouched many of the pieces in this collection. Some have been completely redrawn, while others are brand-new works created exclusively for the book. These thoughtful additions make the collection a visual feast and a heartfelt tribute to her artistic journey.
"Shiro Mi Sakana Selected Art Collection – The Moon at Noon (Deluxe Edition)" is more than an art book; it is a chronicle of the artist’s evolution and a celebration of her talent. For fans and enthusiasts of illustration art, it is an unmissable treasure that encapsulates the charm and brilliance of Shiro Mi Sakana’s world.
