The Start of the Book

I just wanted to post a few pages from the intro of Hyrule Historia, in order, to give people an idea of what kind of quality product this is. It very much mirrors the Japanese one, but they added some tiny yet special touches: like the image from the beginning of Skyward Sword to the inside of the cover and back, instead of just having blank paper like the Japanese version did.

The other reason to post the first few pages: it has the credits for the book's production team, and each one of those people deserve to be recognized for all their amazing work.

These also includes the intro by Miyamoto that Dark Horse has typed up on their blog, and then some of the pages of concept art that Kotaku and Dark Horse already posted. So it's not that I'm really showing anything new, it's that I wanted people to understand how beautifully this is laid out. If you're new here, search the "Hyrule Histora" tag on the right of the blog to find out more about this book.

 

If you skip a few pages in, the true concept art pages begin: 

 

The art is larger, and more is revealed!

This is just one example of how much bigger the English version is versus the original Japanese version. (Click to enlarge.) The paper and printing are just so much nicer too. And my suspicions were correct (I mentioned it a long time ago) ~the larger format means that they uncovered more of the art. For example: notice how the extra spacing reveals more if the image in the English version. THANK YOU DARK HORSE

I'll post more examples and excerpts from the book in the coming days. For now, be sure to buy your copy! And join us on our Hyrule Historia group if you want some of the fastest Hyrule Historia updates on the net.

My Hyrule Historia Just Arrived! Some Differences: (Updated)

This is my personal copy and the other 2 that I bought as prizes for the Zelda Fanart Calendar Contest I hold every year: Check out the calendar we made this year. And come back soon to find out what the next one will be!

And they're GOOD differences. Anyone who likes the art will love this.

#1 Yes, it is quite a bit bigger. Here's a comparison with the Japanese version:

#2 My hopes came true: THE PRINT QUALITY IS BETTER! Only slightly, but it's still more clear. And yes, the images are larger. (I had already pointed out how that was going to be the case, but in case you missed the post I made about that ages ago, consider it confirmed ;) And, if you know me, you know what this means.

(Also, this is not the best picture. When I do a comparison review tonight or tomorrow I'll have better images.)

#3 Here's the edge of the book. It's not a big deal but, I don't think I've seen a picture of that yet, so I wanted to include it.

Mine came from Amazon, I have Prime: it was the 2 day shipping. The TFAW order is where my LE will hopefully come from, it has not shipped yet. And, like I said, I'm going to go do a write up and make some better images as soon as I can :)

(SO EXCITED! /Dies. It's like a dream!)

Small update I promised a few people: I just got the email from TFAW that says they'll be shipping soon. Both the regular and Limited Edition versions. Could be going out in 1-3 business days.

Hyrule Historia UK orders have been shipping

Congrats to you in the UK! The rest of us schlubs are probably going to have to wait until the 29th for both versions of the book to be sent out. If I hear otherwise: know that I'll be continuing to update with news on our (long outdated name) Facebook page for the book: NoA-Please-bring-us-Hyrule-Historia-in-English

image via Christopher A. : Facebook 

Hyrule Historia Goodies

Like I mentioned in my last post, I haven't really been around: so allow me to post a few things from Darkhorse about Hyrule Historia- Which is set to be released in a few days!

1: Here's an interview they did with Glitterberri: http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/1259/translating-legend-interview-aria-tanner

2: Here's a contest for Zelda guest bloggers they were/are? holding: http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/1239/zelda-fans-guest-blog-request

3: Here's the introduction of the book, by Miyamoto, in English: http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/1254/25th-anniversary-legend-zelda-shigeru-miyamoto

4: Here are some of the concept art pages posted in English: http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/Previews/20-921?page=1

5: The Nintendo World Store is having a Hyrule Historia event. As I've stated before, they should be getting copies... So, if you don't have a copy reserved yet, or you don't have a copy of the LIMITED EDITION,  show up at their party in NYC!

--And to think that I use to live only 30 minutes away ...bummer! 

Anyway, info is on the "Events" section of their site (it's flash, so I can't direct link) so check their site again before you show up, but this is what it says at the moment:

Join us in an epic adventure January 25th from 6pm to 8pm as we celebrate the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia. This amazing hardcover containing an unparalleled collection of historical information on The Legend of Zelda franchise will be available for sale during event hours only. Published in both standard and limited edition formats, Nintendo World is the only location in North America to have the limited edition available for purchase, as part of this special pre-release event. Pre-orders are still available on a first come first serve basis. There will also be a costume contest and other activities for all to enjoy. Join us for this special quest that no Zelda fan can miss! The official launch date for the book is January 29th for those unable to attend the event.

And if you need to know what subway lines to take to get there, that's on their site as well

I have to run! ~Enjoy!

Newly Released Himekawa Art and Publication, Plus: Blank Manga Pages

Thanks Feri, for letting me know about this piece. You rock!

So, for those of you who didn't know, Akira Himekawa did the "Stained Glass Windows" official art for the Wind Waker. Proof is here: http://historyofhyrule.com/publications/manga_lttp_re_bonus/011.html

And they JUST posted this picture online. (10 year WW celebration) It's another one of their sketches in that style, and this is what they had to say about it:

"タクト販促イラストは姫川だとバレないように描く事が必要でしたが、こちらは当時ニンドリさんに頂いたページに楽しく描かせてもらったリンクw。これはイマイチ中途半端w。その後色をつけてみようかと思ったのですが挫折したままです^_^;"

(Anyone want to give an accurate translation?) It's so cute, enjoy!

If you would like to see more of Akira Himekawa's sketches and random Zelda art, please visit our album for it on Facebook.

Blank Skyward Sword "Prequel" Manga Pages:
If you didn't realize, the Page Reader Dark Horse gave to Kotaku to post allows you to save the Manga pages without any watermark or text on SOME of them, because the image, text, and watermark are often on different layers. So if you want to make avatars from them, just go to that link and save the images off of it. It's not perfect, but maybe you'll find the image you like. You can either right click on them, or just drag them to your desktop. Just don't ask me how to do it on a Mac.

That promotional manga Akira Himekawa did for the Chinese release of Ocarina of Time 3D got printed into a little book. It happened just a little while back, but I didn't notice it until now. If you're a collector, it might be fun to track down!

Info for it can be found on their site: http://www.himekawaakira.com/02what's%20new!/index%20.html

Again, if you would like to read it, it was translated into English by the Zeldanime gang.

88 copies of the Limited Edition Hyrule Historia left on The RightStuf

Hurry if you want one, they're going to go fast: HERE!

SOLD OUT!
(but still check any of the stores that actually had copies, sometimes they'll put a few back up for sale. Maybe it's when someone was holding them but canceled the order.)

For perspective, it was only added to their shop today. I really do hope you were able to get a copy. 

Remember, I love nothing more than I love this book: So I will be diligently posting any news about it. If blogger isn't convenient for you, you can follow us on our Facebook group, and I also run the Hyrule Historia Localization Effort; which is a great place to be if you want to stay very current on any news regarding it.

Dark Horse just released ALL the English Skyward Sword Prequel Manga Pages

Dark Horse has released all of the pages of the Skyward Sword "Prequel" manga, by Akira Himekawa, as a promo for the Hyrule Historia Book that's for pre-order now (Find out where to buy it here)

It seems to have been released via Kotaku, and I discovered the news thanks to GenGame. Their page reader shows the pages in the reversed order though, so I've put them in the right order, of first to last, below. Read them right to left, or "Japanese style." Enjoy!

Please buy the book! It's going to be AMAZING! And it's SO CHEAP on pre-order.
Thank you Dark Horse!