Review: Kami no Mizo Shiru Sekai POSTERS!
I think I will just start off this post by stating that I don’t know anything about “Kami no Mizo Shiru Sekai”, English title “The World God Only Knows”, by Tamiki Wakaki. I simply picked up “Kami no Mizo Shiru Sekai POSTERS!” due to curiosity. It cost me 1714 yen (search key: 4091990185). In any case, I had a bit of an idea of what it would be like, but I was still quite surprised by the size of the thing, which is somewhat close to A3 (but smaller). When I first saw it, I thought to myself, “Self, this is almost like that Chocola limited edition artbook* you got in Japan.” (* artbook not reviewed). This was true, in that this is not an artbook, but rather a folio filled with loose-leaf pages. [Review] [PNG]
The title of the book is in foil (turns out dark in scans), and the size of the thing means I had to stitch every scan I did. Note the nice presentation of the folio attachment, which has wings on the hubs, and silver string.
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_01](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_01.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_01")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_02](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_02.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_02")
The volume starts off with five black and white information sheets introducing Kami no Mizo Shiru Sekai and its characters. I skipped off on reading them, but it seems it is a series of novels or something. There is also a cover sheet which provides a kind of thumbnail preview of the posters.
The posters contained in the folio include two black and white ones, 16 colour ones, and one B2 sized monster poster which is the same original illustration as featured on the front of the folio. Needless to say, I did not scan the B2 one (it was folded too).
Despite being black and white, these posters are actually quite outstanding. I especially like the elegant bar one. Note that these were processed separately from the colour ones (roughly, Surface Blur, Colour Range Select, Smooth Select, Dust and Scratches).
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_03](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_03.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_03")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_04](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_04.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_04")
Then we get to the colour posters, which sometimes are very simple, and sometimes a bit more complex. But none of the level of complexity found in some other illustrators we have covered before.
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_05](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_05.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_05")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_06](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_06.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_06")
I am not sure who the novel targets, but I am thinking it is for girls, because the male character is so cool and is apparently God. But then again there are a lot of female characters, as in “harem” type genres…
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_07](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_07.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_07")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_08](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_08.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_08")
Some of the posters are just individual characters slapped on a white background.
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_09](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_09.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_09")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_10](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_10.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_10")
The simplicity of the pictures could also be seen as a feature I guess, and one does acquire a taste for the character designs after a while.
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_11](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_11.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_11")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_12](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_12.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_12")
A theme with many contemporary works which deal with stuff like magic is the integration of technology into the mix. Most noted this anime season is Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou (which incidentally, has original character designs by Miki Miyashita). In Kami no Mizo Shiru Sekai, the tech device is somewhat like a PSP. If I had a PSP I’d be playing Project DIVA, not making magic. :P
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_13](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_13.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_13")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_14](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_14.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_14")
The colours of the illustrations also add to the simple look. They are mostly flat, with some gradations at various parts.
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_15](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_15.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_15")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_16](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_16.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_16")
A strange nonsensical comic-strip makes up one of the posters.
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_17](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_17.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_17")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_18](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_18.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_18")
You know what? In the end I like the male character better than the female characters. Might be the Tieria Erde thing, I don’t know.
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_19](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_19.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_19")
![[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_20](http://pireze.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pirezeKami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_20.jpg "[pireze]Kami_no_Mizo_Shiru_Sekai_POSTERS_20")
Anyway, this is called a review post because I didn’t scan everything in the volume, but it’s pretty much what I bought the thing for, right? It’s pretty good stuff, and at 1714 yen, pretty reasonable for what you get. I guess all that remains for a decision is whether you like the art, which is what this post is for. Did you like the art?
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Oh I read the manga. Not sure if there are novel version…
Despite the cool Keima ( the boy in the pics), the story is shounen genre. Well, it is true that Keima is being called GOD, but he’s god of getting the girls in visual novel games on the net and supposed to hate all real girls. By the way, he 100% human.
Anyone who didn’t read the manga yet should give it a try. It’s a good manga ^^;.
Thanks for the post. I really love the art style of Tamiki Wakaki since the very first time I lay my eyes on them.
You scanned every illustration except the large poster of the cover. Waste of money IMO with so few illustrations.
I didn’t even realize a guide book was released. I’ve been a fan of the series for a while, so needless to say I love the art, the girls are quite cute.
kay: touché
Just my feelings for commercial releases. If it was a small press doujin, I would think it was a steal :P
The manga is fun. As for the PSP, no, it’s not a magic device, just something to play eroge on it xD ( it can even be upgraded for a Visual Boy experience ), or use as a swiming board (more like, playing it in the swimming pool)
As for the art, I prefer in fact the design of the girls that he must flirt with. Guess I don’t like much shinobi styled Elsea.
As it is my first time coming here, the fact you mispelt the title—in English—does not impress any credibility. However, I must agree his art style isn’t as sophisticated as other mangakas. It might be because he didn’t have the luxury, nor time, to develop his drawing skills (for info, read his blog).
And his art incorporates symbolisms that isn’t understandable those who haven’t experienced any kind of bishojo games. Personally, I think he correctly tuned his art style for the genre that allows him to crank an episode each week without any problems.
Anyhow, the majority of the illustrations are either from the manga or the light novel (Yes, there is a light novel. Check Wiki).
Nice review!
Anyway, you have too many pages from the POSTERS :/
It is more like a FREE-TO-DOWNLOAD electronic version…
@Krytic
Actually if you’re speaking how he spelled the name of the series “Kami no Mizo Shiru Sekai” instead of spelling it ” Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai,” then Icie really didn’t mispell it. Romaji can actually have many different spellings because… well that’s what happens when you try to put into latin letters words that are based off of character sounds (such as how the pronounciation of the letter “L” may sound like the letter “R” at times, likewise for “S” and “Z”), since Romaji was made for Western and European convenience, as the Japanese don’t use it very often themselves.
I believe the spelling mistake Krytic was referring to was the spacing on the romaji. Officially, it’s spelt Kaminomizo Shiru Sekai. My bad for not doing more research prior to posting, but my disclaimer at the beginning of the post still stands, since I romanised straight from the Japanese title of the “book”.