Let's Check Out The New Kantoku Artbook From J18 Publishing!

J-List’s sister company J18 Publishing [J-List store link] is more than the best publisher of amazing doujinshi and tankoubon format manga in the English space. They also make some of the best artbooks J-List carries, by Japan’s top artists. Today let’s look at The Art of Kantoku Illustration Collection II [product link], which just came in stock this week. Let’s check out all the amazing illustrations in this blog post!

Great news! J-List is loaded with gorgeous new doujinshi from the newest Comic Market event, Comiket 105. All the new books by our favorite artists are in stock now, so visit the site and browse before the books you want sell out! The link is here.

What’s Inside The Art Of Kantoku Illustration Collection II?

When J18 Publishing came out with the first Kantoku artbook [J-List review link], it was to be our magnum opus. We wanted it to be the best artbook ever: two hardcover illustration books inside a protective box. (And almost sold out as of January 2024.) Now J18 has come out with a follow-up artbook, featuring 120+ pages of Kantoku’s gorgeous illustrations. It spans 13 years of the artist’s career, and is in stock on J-List and HMarket now!

The book is separated into sections, allowing you to browse full-page illustrations from Kantoku from the past few years, or going back to 2016-2019 and even 2010-2015, to get a taste of his earlier art. It’s great to get a sampling of the artist’s recent art, featuring established characters that he always focuses on, with his earlier approach to creating bishoujo art for us to enjoy.

All Kantoku’s Popular Characters Are Here

If you’ve read Kantoku’s artbooks or doujinshi, you’ll know he focuses on certain original characters. His illustrations create the perfect “self-insert” fantasy for male fans. This artbook features plenty of art of Shizuku, Ichika, and Kanna, who all compete for your love and attention.

Kurumi also appears in many illustrations. She’s the “sexy senpai who wants to take care of you,” often packing you a bento or flashing her bra to brighten your day.

What Are We Going To Do On The Bed, Oniichan?

Shizuku gets plenty of focus as well. She’s the cute “imouto” character who often hangs out at your house, and tempts you with her charm.

Illustration of Shizuku with sunlight shining through her skirt from Kantoku’s artbook

Kantoku’s ability to convey subtle emotion in his art is incredible. There are memorable scenes like Nagisa walking her bike upstairs, with the wind teasing her skirt just a little, or Shizuku standing in sunlight that makes her dress appear translucent. Kurumi is also depicted preparing to become your bride. As is often the case with Kantoku, you won’t be able to stop thinking about his amazing illustrations!

Lots Of Subtle Ecchi Illustrations

Of course we get lots of sexy moments in the new Kantoku artbook, featuring awesome situations we’d love to find ourselves in. Walking in on Kurumi while she’s dressing, or being invited to play “secret fort” with the other girls under the covers. Wonderful!

Thanks for reading this post about the new Art Of Kantoku Illustration Collection II. The book is in stock in San Diego and ready to ship out to you here, or else browse all J18 Publishing products here!