When word first came down that a compilation of INO‘s work was in the pipeline I was ecstatic. The reclusive artist who has gone without a website update for over four years was finally reaching out to his fans! As the book’s content was gradually revealed it became clear that it would be an epic tome indeed; just what is in store in this treasure trove that contains much of the master eroge artist’s life work? Read on to find out:
Title: Velvet Skin ~ INO Art Works
Author: INO (Wikipedia) (Erogamescape)
Release Date: November 17th, 2007
Pages: 208 A4 (full color)
Publisher: Core Magazine
ISBN 13: 978-4862522399
Price: 2,940 JPY (tax included)
Availability: Amazon.co.jp, Mangaoh, Book1, Nippon Export
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![Heisei Democracy [ERO] Artbook Review: Velvet Skin ~ INO Art Works](http://heiseidemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/velvetskin_cover.jpg)
Velvet Skin contains a compilation of promotional art and game CG from the following games:
- 2003 – Izayoi no Hanayome (Mink)
- 2004 – Nise Kyouso (Nomad)
- 2004 – Eigou Kaiki (D.O.)
- 2004 – Ryoujoku Guerrilla Kari 2 (Liquid)
- 2005 – Oshioki Sweetie (Hadashi Shoujo)
- 2005 – Niizuma wa Sailor Fuku (Puzzlebox)
- 2005 – Kiss x 400 (Winters)
- 2005 – Sister Scheme (M de Pink)
- 2007 – Kimihagu (Front Wing)
In addition to rare promotional art (such as telephone cards and posters) and production sketches done specifically for individual games, the book contains original illustrations done for game and anime magazines, his personal website, and Mink (before he went freelance). It also contains a detailed step by step documentation of the production process behind the book’s cover.
In terms of sheer volume of material as well as quality and comprehensiveness of presentation it’s impossible for me to find fault with this book; I have little interest in INO games prior to Izayoi no Hanayome so as far as I’m concerned the best of his material is compiled here. The book contains dozens of images I hadn’t seen before, and there’s sure to be something new here for both INO completionists and casual fans alike.
If I had to raise one criticism it would be that the book contains no new material beyond the cover. There are no fold-out posters or original illustrations penned, so if you’re expecting to find work here that was never before published you’ll be disappointed. This is only a minor drawback though, and certainly no reason not to buy the book; short of picking up the actual games this is the best chance we’ll have to show our support for the artist, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
As a final note of interest, for those with some Japanese reading skill the book is sprinkled with observations on the artistic process and development of images and character concepts from the various games, and it makes for some fascinating reading. Toward the end of the volume INO explains that he’s been so busy with his game work that he hasn’t had time to branch out into other fields, though he’s been approached multiple times to work on novel covers, manga, and doujinshi.
He notes that he’s become so used to doing collaborative work that his original chops are a bit rusty, but would like to some day move on and challenge other arenas. Regardless of where his work appears in the future, I for one will be following it with zeal, and I eagerly await the promised day a few years down the road when we’ll see another volume of his exquisite art just as appealing as this one.
For those who missed it initially, our creator spotlight on INO can be found here.
Been anticipating this review for a while! I’m sold, sir. Honestly, I was sold before hand, but this pretty much solidified my decision. Disappointing about the lack of new content, though.
Gotta love the way he draws a voluptuous figure!
Is it me or do I see absolutly NO censorship in those previewed pages?? Is there any censorship in the book at all??
Wow- hope not, that alone is worth getting it and supporting stuff like this.
Thanx for the great pics and review Shingo- this looks like a must for me.
Thanks for the great review as always Shingo, I’ve placed an order!
>>HammerOC
Thinking again it wasn’t technically correct for me to say that there isn’t previously unreleased material here – none of the illustration roughs have seen release in any form before, to my knowledge. There’s nothing new per se beyond the cover, but there is more than enough material that is new to me personally that I felt the purchase more than justified.
>>Work_Ethic
Where censorship is required it is light and very minimal (a fine mosaic), though many of the images eliminate the requirement through other more creative means. I had to go back and check, honestly, as it’s to the point where unless it’s really blatant I don’t notice mosaic censorship anymore… ^^;;
>>Cloudkun
Awesome, I’m glad to see another INO convert in our midst! :3
I’ve seen his art in places here and there, but is the first time I’ve had a chance to really get a good look.
The linework is excellent, and overall, it’s very nice.
Once I have a little extra cash, I think I’ll be trying to get my hands on this book. ^_^
This book isn’t limited in print run, is it?
I got this is the mail last week, very nice book. Very very very limited censorship, And only the real obvious ones.
Although i cant read Japanese its good to see some line drawing/sketches of certain scenes. Highly recommended.
>>Richard “Pocky” Kim
The book isn’t limited, as far as I know; there may be a bit of restock lag after the first impression sells out, but I expect it’ll be around for the next several months (if not the next few years).
>>Dunks0r
Agreed on all counts. :D
Shopping list, added to. (will join Sano Toshihide book on shelf…)
1.5 thumbs up for the very light censorship. Hope it won’t be too long before I can give 2 thumbs up for non-censored Japanese ART books.
The chief reason I stopped collecting these ART books is the huge mosaics or large black blocks that screen out the artwork. For heaven’s sake, it’s an ART book. If you block out the art, what’s the bloody point of us consumers buying? Especially when it isn’t cheap for international buyers like me. (S$75 for a Dokyusei art book that was severely censored. Even the pencil sketches were censored. 8( ) (Yup, I used to collect artbooks of ELF and Satoshi before I stopped completely)
Thanks to Shingo’s review, I can buy this from J-list without fear of receiving a badly censored book.
blacklotus, when you say S$75 bucks, i’m guessing where you are from. If i’m not wrong, then i’m in the same place as well. i want this book badly, if i were to order it from jlist, will this book be ‘intercepted’ with a love letter sent to you instead of the book?
This wasn’t on my buy list, but it is now. It almost rivals Sano Toshihide’s works . . .
swweeet review. been waitin’ for it. i should be receiving this book along w/ UNO! as they’ve shipped recently.
>> hitoshura
Well, I have never hidden the fact that I’m a Singaporean.
For the book not to be TORN up, you should never buy from the local Kinokuniya.
I knew the manager of Maruzen (SG branch; already closed down). And I know how the censors in SG work when I was a anime club member in NTU and has to visit them to screen videos and book material.
As for buying from Jlist, it’s really up to random luck. They won’t send every parcel/package to the censor board. But occasionally, if they see too many parcels tagged to the same address, they may send the book to the censors to check. (Easily done nowadays with computers and databases). If the book cannot be accepted, you either have a choice to send the book back to origin or have the objectionable pages torn out.
If you import ‘pornography’ (e.g. playboy, hentai artbooks/manga), there’s a chance you can be charged in court, fined or even sent to jail for smuggling contraband.
We Chinese have a saying, literally translated as “Kill 1 person to warn 100 people”
That’s why I stopped buying art books. Too troublesome and risky.
I will view digital images if they’re posted online, and saved those images that I like for reference material for my resin kits. But companies consider that ‘stealing’.
From the pages that Shingo posted, Ino will probably be classified as ‘pornography’ (due to the pictures of acts of sexual intimacy)
BTW, Sano’s books WILL DEFINITELY be classified as porn. 8|
Good luck. 8)
p.s. on the bright side, prostitution in designated areas is legal in Singapore. :me laughs at the hypocrisy of it all:
So, BlackLotus- what would happen if someone in the US bought the book and mailed it to you personally? Would it still get intercepted?
Boggles my mind about types of censorships. It’s NOT censorship if the government controls it…..LOL.
Yeah, the hypocrisy is sickening……
So then, blacklotus, what about this INO book?
I’m really interested in getting this though, you ddi say you wish to get this? Mind giving some steps?
or even better, a hitch up your ride?
Thanks for the review, but I’ll definitely pass on this one.
If it did contain more of his past works I would have been on board for it.
Dammit! This looks so excellent I have to put it on my list! And I’m still waiting on my Sweet Body and Sano books!
>> Work_Ethic
Slightly safer but not much. It will be easier say, if you declare the package to be text books rather than what webshops like HS or HLJ like to declare honestly – magazines. Somehow, magazines have the connotation of being trashy. 8)
Again, the interception is random. And with the new gamma ray machines, customs can tell what’s in the package. So no outright false declarations please. (e.g. do not declare DVDs as books. Safer to declare as music cds.)
Larger packages are scrutanised more closely and may be opened to be inspected without you being present. So stick to small packages if possible.
I think I should stop now. I’m getting paranoid that our ISA is looking at my posting… 8D
>> hitoshura
Sure. Just PM me with your handle and details on HD forum. I’m blacklotus. 8)
Could do with the extra order to cut down on transport costs and maybe extra discounts from multiple orders. I’m still thinking of which webshop to get from. Most probably Jlist to support HD. 8) But they better don’t declare it as HENTAI ART BOOK as per their product type.
Else, I’m sure it’s gonna get intercepted. Customs may not know the word ‘hentai’ personally, but the computers will red flag the package for them. 8\
Anyway, no rush right? It’s not gonna be sold out any time soon. And I want to skip getting caught in the Xmas period rush where parcels do get mishandled or misplaced.
>>blacklotus
Sucks to see Singapore had such stringent control on what you import. I’m glad Australia isn’t as strict as the asians territory.
oh man…I’ve been trying to hold off on getting this book, but this is getting hard ><
I guess it’s now a question of if I value nice ero art vs. a new car stereo vs. new pc/console games to keep me occupied lol
>>blacklotus
Singaporean here as well, also wants the book very much. Would really love to hitch your ride. (i mean its safer to have 2 books in 1 parcel to go through the custom once than 2 separate checks) Can we somehow contact each other? MSN, HP no,email?
I ll leave my email here first: vicviper@walla.com
can some kind soul scan the book, please?