The latest How-to-Draw Manga series looks at yaoi this time, to provide a solid introduction on how to draw the smash hit genre that’s sweeping the West. This is a well thought out book showing clear instructions, guidance and layout. The clean organization is easy to follow, making learning simple and funs with the addition of little character sketches and improve dialogue thrown in for comedic asides.

The book starts off with explanations of yaoi and the most common terms used in yaoi such as “uke” and “seme”, etc. It then takes you step by step through the process of creating drawings and putting together a yaoi manga. First, it shows you a variety of yaoi illustrations in a variety of different themes and then breaks it down. You start by drawing out your main character, and then it breaks it down further into how to outline the face, giving particular pointers on facial expressions and specific sections devoted to the eyes, nose, mouth, and a variety of different emotional expressions. Then it focuses on the body, how to draw it, looking at the nitty gritty on how to as well as perspectives. There is even a chapter devoted to costumes, covering the most popular styles from business suits to kimonos to jeans. It even covers shoes and accessories!

From there, it moves into how to draw scenes specific to yaoi, including embracing and kissing. It then covers in the final chapter how to draw and put together your own yaoi manga from start to finish, including finishing touches, plots etc.

The book does a solid job of covering all the bases and giving good pointers without bogging the reader down with infinite minutiae. It should give beginners a fair idea on how to start drawing the popular genre. The book even finishes off with general comments, including some other related terms, and internet links. It comes in a very nice dust jacket and the book itself holds many gorgeous yaoi drawing to delight any fan of the genre let alone those interested in learning the first steps to drawing the popular form.

IN SUMMARY:
Let’s Draw Manga: Yaoi is an excellent beginner’s introduction in how to draw the popular genre and manga style.