Favorite Things about Japan Ai?

[aimeekitty]

This post will be entirely self-serving!

I am starting to work on some new projects and it would inspire me and perhaps shape which direction I choose,... if I knew which parts of Japan Ai you enjoyed best.
One of the things that I love most about art is moving or amusing people with it. :) So would you tell me? Feel free to tell me more than one thing if you like! no pressure! Only if its something that you truely enjoyed!

if you'd prefer to email me, feel free. aimeeATaimeemajorDOTcom

Thanks in advance! :)

O/T... but last night I dreamt about Batman and the night before, Dr. Who. What awesome angsty hero will be tonight? XD? at least I've progressed from apocalyse dreams of a few weeks ago!

Comments

[umiyuko.livejournal.com]

My favorite parts of it were the little comics- where there was very little text except for dialog. Like your little bit about having a cute detector. And I really liked the little anecdotes and guides of things you saw. I guess that doesn't even help? O_o

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

it helps! :)

which anecdotes/guides did you enjoy the most?

[joshuaaaaaa.livejournal.com]

I like that a really nice person wrote it. :)

Seriously, everyone else in the house has read this, and I'm the one who bought it...I really need to actually read the book myself. :)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

haha for shame!

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you saw the comment I left for you a month or so ago noting what I liked. I don't remember exactly what I said though. :-) I know I like the range of drawings, from the cute comics, to more detailed/less stylized ones that show you can really draw well, and in a range of styles. Anyway, I really enjoyed your book, and if you did another one, I'd buy it! :-)

Maggie

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I found it! :)
http://aimeekitty.livejournal.com/822656.html?replyto=6695808

thankyou, I really appreciate it. :)

[dave-iii.livejournal.com]

I like the loose way you told the story, as if it was for a friend, rather than a comic made for the market. This sometimes got in the way of the actual narrative, but not often enough to really complain about. The loose and cheerful style made a very pleasant break from traditional comics, and the copious amounts of fun you and your friends obviously had came through to the point where I wanna go to Japan, too. ^_^

[xlade.livejournal.com]

The arts! I love the arts style. After that, I wanted to now more about the Takurazuka and the anime shops and butler cafes. Yeah. Those were cool.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

takarazuka and butler cafes are so much fun. :) you can find lots about them online if you look. Thanks a bunch.

[tubbysnuggles.livejournal.com]

yeahhh I probably won't be the most helpful, here, cuz I truly am in awe of your talent and I loved the WHOLE THING. And while a squee-fest will, I'd hope, make you happy, it's not very constructive, is it? LOL...

I love your attention to detail and sense of humor (comparing your height to godzilla and was it - a hamster? a bunny? just tickled me to no end) so the funny stuff was a favorite. (yehh! doll parts!)

I think the lighter style comics were my favorite, although I did enjoy VERY MUCH reading about the temples and the customs, since it's so different from what I know here. So really - honestly - I really loved ALL of it. I would love to see you do another.

[jadewik.livejournal.com]

There were several things I enjoyed about "Japan Ai". What I can remember about your book was how easy it was to relate to some of the stories. For example, when you had to draw the picture to ask if there was chicken, beef, or pork in the meat; having to push your way onto the train; missing your stop on the train. The humor was also top-notch! I also enjoyed the cultural references-- the simple things that are different between the States and Japan that most people wouldn't think to mention. Simple things like the food vending machines, lack of trash cans, and the various fantasy places to eat (like the prison place you went to). I also love your art!

Honestly, I couldn't put the book down... and, in the end, I didn't like how SHORT the book was. It was such a quick read, I was thirsty for more, more, MORE when I finished.

Quick Recap (cause I like bulleted lists)

Things I liked:
* Stories people can relate to
* Sense of humor!
* Cultural differences
* Artwork!

Things I didn't like:
* The book was "too short"!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I really appreciate it! :) If you think of any more specific examples that you related to or thought were funny, I'd appreciate it. :)

thanks a bunch!

[velvy.livejournal.com]

I liked the cuteness of the book as a whole. It stayed perpetually cute in a light-hearted sort of way throughout every scenario. I also liked how, thought not intended as a guidebook, could be used as a guidebook in many different ways. For instance, I used it as a guidebook when I was in Takeshita Dori street.

[positivespace.livejournal.com]

I gave the book to one of my friends for Christmas while she was at my house and, I swear, she did not put it down till she sat and read through the whole thing. We were at my place working on something and she even brought it with her in the car when we went on a food run.

As for me, I love the expressions! For such "simple" sketches you convey such a wide range of emotions so well. Also, you're funny. :)

[batchix.livejournal.com]

Batman and Dr. Who... at once? I once ended up in Dr. Who/ Battlestar Galactica. that was... awkward. X3

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

no, separately, but that's ok, because two nights of angst love!

your icon is LOVE.

[rupertistheone.livejournal.com]

What I loved most about Japan Ai I think is the way that you switched between these cute little simple cartoons and then suddenly more beautiful and cerebral sketches, I just liked the way you mixed up the style of illustration so that everything seemed so fresh and lovely. I also loved, although I don't know how to put this into some sort of words, is how you made me wish that I was in your place and there every step of the way on that trip. I got so into it. Perhaps it was because you were there on such a personal level with the reader...you made me so want to go! :)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I guess, in that way, the book is a good crossection of what I enjoy... I really like doing cutesy stuff but also like doing more realistic images. Thanks, I really appreciate it. I made the book the way that was interesting and personal to me, so it means a lot to me that other people can relate to it and feel like they are "there with me".

Thanks!!

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

I have to pick one? That's hard! I liked everything about it.


Hmmmm...


I think the parts about the onsen and the geisha photo shoot were my favorites, though.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

several favorites is better than one! :)

[slai.livejournal.com]

Hi Aimee,

My favorite parts of the book were the stories about all your little adventures around Japan like the hot springs, dressing up as a geisha, going to meet the doll executive, going shopping, the sites, etc.! I loved the comics associated with them the best X)!

[ashea.livejournal.com]

The consistency of the comic art was top notch, puncutated with a different beautiful style of yours. And, like the person above me, I loved how you told the stories of your adventures with the little comics and dialogue. You were also very informative about explaining things that could be understood by someone who has not had the opportunity to visit Japan =3 (I WILL SOMEDAY! *shakes fist*) I found the Dollfie part particularly interesting because I hadn't heard of it and I've been researching it since then :)

I may also point out that your adventures made me very jealous XD LOL!

I hope this helps! :)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!! I'm really glad that you were able to enjoy it, even parts that were foreign to you.

[persoconchii.livejournal.com]

*ponder ponder* I really enjoyed the light style of it! it wasn't crammed with 2409 panels in every inch, ya know? With the cute artstyle (and occasional color page, especially the geisha one!)

and the writing was really friendly and cute ^^ You had interesting facts delivered in that "humorous non-educational way!" and just plain hysterical notes like "Judy's chest was too mighty for the kimono" or something with the sketch

[lovelessbird.livejournal.com]

I think my fave part of the book was the art. It was fun seeing the trip through an artist's eyes instead of someone just writing it out. Also the part about your trip to the volks store was a plus.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, i was hoping that it would bring something fresh, so I appreciate it.

[mamamantras.livejournal.com]

The imaginary shoulder bunnies. I LOVE them. They still make me giggle.

I got Japan Ai for myself, but my seven year old daughter snuck it from me. We found it while trying to find girly manga for her Japanese class (we didn't find any). She loves it and has read it three times. I like that the adult stuff goes over her head. Questions get asked like "Mama, what does she mean 'THAT kind of store'". Lol. The answer to that has been "It's only for adults".

My daughter says her favorite part is the cute stuff homing device, followed closely by the return of the luggage. In a few years she'll love it because it's written by a tall woman, which she will be. I'm not sure there is anything in it she doesn't like - she's on her fourth reading of it and it's the only book she's ever read on her own more than twice.

I like that the book deals with both traditional and modern Japanese culture. For living in rural southwester Minnesota your book is a slice of life :D

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

wow, thank you so much for taking the time to write me about your and your daughter's experience with it. Something like this makes it very worthwhile to me, so thankyou. I'm so tickled that she enjoyed it so much. :D
I'm glad also that you didn't mind the few "over the head" more adult things. We tried to be careful to keep it tasteful, but not too dumbed down either.

Tall girls have it rough, so if I give her even the slightest ease in that, that would be very very lovely.

[dusk-in-dendera.livejournal.com]

I love the illustration of Jareth facing off against Der Tod. Two of my favorite dark princes pouting in the same frame-- awesome! :D

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

haha, I fought hard for that frame staying in the book. :D glad you liked it!

[damagedgarden.livejournal.com]

Hi, I actually met you very briefly at PMX but hadn't read your book. Funny thing is, tonight my boyfriend and I were at the bookstore and I started to read it. I really enjoyed what I read. What I liked most about the book was your attention to detail. Including addresses, cultural meanings, history mixed in with all the cute and fun elements really made it more than just a fun book; it was really informative. I'd love to buy a copy someday when I am not facing such financial difficulties. ^-^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it! it was nice seeing you recently, too! I hope you had fun!

[dave-iii.livejournal.com]

I think I can sum up everyones replies thus:

"Yes. Very, very Yes."

WHich probably isn't as much help as you were hoping for, but at least you know you struck a chord. ^_^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

It is helpful though. I mean, I'll just keep following what I think is interesting or funny, but it's very validating to know that other people think the same silly things are amusing.

[thatcalliecat.livejournal.com]

my favorite part is when you wrote about how awesome i am.


no seriously.


i liked when you wrote about harajuku, and your cute radar going off.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

haha. XD

[claw789.livejournal.com]

-Liked the credits page where you list the heights of the people who worked on your book. It was a nice theme.
-Loved the quirky thoughts - the cat who owned the fan store, the imaginary scenes of falling down in okobo or a squat toilet. Also liked snow kitties, asking for wasabi - and getting it, and walking into an adult shop without realizing it (which I've done so many times I've lost count...).

Overall it was a really great way to hear/see someone's trip without breaking out the vacation slides (which are sometimes fun, but...).

Definitely liked your book a notch more than "A Year in Japan" by Kate Williamson. Her book was lovely, but also very subtle, more literary and slightly oriented towards graphic design. Also felt like I was getting a more vivid impression of your personality than just an informative travelogue. It's pretty well-known that there are maid and butler cafes in Japan, but I want to know what *you* liked or didn't like about it. That's key.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed A Year in Japan, I would agree that it's more graphic and peaceful than mine, that's for sure. Thank you for detailing what you enjoyed and for the compliment. The personality aspect of it, I was very worried before it was released, because it was so personal. Either people would relate to it, or it would be very embarrassing/revealing. (ha!)

anyway, I really appreciate it, especially from a fellow kimono and Japanese culture lover like yourself. :)

[chevy49girl.livejournal.com]

I love the differences between the more manga type drawings and the realistic drawings. I LOVE the color ones and would like to see more color.

I would also like to see more of taking your doll places.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I really enjoy drawing in different styles, so I'm glad that the dichotomy worked well for you, too. :)

we'll see what the next thing brings me! Thanks for taking the time to write me!

[krazeekaytee.livejournal.com]

i really loved your art! and the way you told your japanese adventure! it was funny and cute, and it felt like i got to know you and your friends. ^^

to be honest, it inspires me to go to Tokyo again and try some of the stuff that you guys did. Like going to the Volks store, and getting dolled up like a geisha!

good luck with your next project!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad that the personalites of us came through for you. I wanted it to be personable, so that means a lot to me. :)

thanks!

[larasgirl.livejournal.com]

It's difficult to say what I like the best besause your whole book is wonderful. I especially enjoy your sense of humor. And the cuteness of your drawing style. My husband even read the whole thing and enjoyed it and he NEVER reads.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it. I wrote the book with what I thought was funny, so it's validating to find that other people find my sense of humor amusing to them. haha. XD Thank you so much (and to your husband, too!)