The long wait is finally over, as this week will see the official release of Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes: Official Complete Works, the stunning official art collection of the popular game, released in North America for the PlayStation 3 and Wii video game systems. Comic book stores will get their copies on Wednesday, and other bookstores and online retailers should begin shipping copies shortly thereafter.

We know that all of you ladies and gentlemen that make up the Sengoku Basara fandom have been waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently!) for UDON’s English edition to make its debut, but we promise you it’s been worth the wait. The book looks great, and is packed full of so much goodness you’ll be poring over it for weeks!

But first up, if you’re not familiar with Sengoku Basara: It’s an epic video game series that has spawned anime, toys, soundtracks, and all manner of chara goods and tie-ins… and it’s about Japanese history! Yes, Sengoku Basara dramatizes the “Warring States” period of Japanese history, and amps it up considerably with over-the-top battles, magic, and sorcery, with some truly beautiful men and women squaring off in spectacular fights. Our Sengoku Basara: Samurai Legends manga adapts the unreleased-in-North-America second video game in the series, and it will quickly bring you up to speed on Sengoku Basara‘s rich world and characters.

Which brings us to Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes: Official Complete Works. This volume collects the unique and lovely artwork of the latest third game in this landmark Capcom series. Included in this collection are character designs, rough sketches, rendered images, promotional images, storyboard cinematics, and even more. It’s a visual treat for Basara fans and art book fans alike!

But there’s some truly amazing stuff in this volume for hardcore Sengoku Basara otaku…! For serious voice actor/voice actress/seiyuu fans, Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes: Official Complete Works contains short profiles of and interviews with the cast of the Japanese game and anime series, a first for any UDON art book localization! It also includes profiles/interviews with the artists responsible for the opening and closing theme songs, T.M. Revolution/Takanori Nishikawa (artist of “Naked Arms”) and Chiaki Ishikawa (artist of Japanese ending theme “Backlight”). Finally, the volume also features an extensive interview with the creators of Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes, Producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi and Director Makoto Yamamoto.

Basically, what we’re saying is: Hey, we’re sorry this book is late, but we’ve been working hard to make sure that every bit of information from the Japanese edition made it into the North American one in order to create a truly special release for Sengoku Basara fans.

We sincerely hope you enjoy this book and, if you want us to do more Basara in the future, well, it couldn’t hurt to tell your friends about this art book and our manga…!

Thanks!

– Chris, UDON

P.S.: Volume 1 of the Sengoku Basara: Samurai Legends manga is also in stores now. Volume 2 is at the printers and will be in stores in late September/early October.

Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes: Official Complete Works

Price (U.S.): $39.99

ISBN: 1-926778-37-5

ISBN-13: 978-1-926778-37-2

Format: Soft cover

Page Count: 152, Color

Size: 8.25? wide X 11.75? long