Here we go – the final set of art books I picked up in Tokyo, and by far my favourite purchases from there.

Patlabor has been my mecha franchise of choice ever since I first saw Oshii‘s beautifully paced, politically complex movies, and when I stumbled across this Patlabor 3D Show book in Mandarake Complex I started to silently freak out. It wasn’t until I got it back to the apartment and looked at it properly that I realised it was actually the third of a three volume set, and it suddenly became my primary mission to see if I could track down the other two volumes. I didn’t hold up much hope, considering their age (they were first published between 1990-1993, and were now all out of print), but I shouldn’t have bet against Mandarake Shibuya and their huge achieve of second hand stock.

All three were special editions published by the famous model enthusiasts’ magazine Hobby Japan, and feature dioramas depicting scenes from the films, TV series and manga, built from then widely available (but at times heavily modified) commercial model kits. What makes them special is not just the quality of the kits’ assembly and paint jobs, but also the fantastic photography that’s been employed to capture them. It’s clear that some of Hobby Japan’s best staff have been involved in putting all three volumes together.

While the third volume is in a slightly larger, more expensive feeling, format and is made up almost entirely of photographs, the first two also have extensive articles on modeling/painting tips and instructions for specific kits. Although all of the text is in Japanese, there another diagrams and images to make these books useful to Patlabor fans or mecha kit hobbyists in general.

The fourth book I picked up is more conventional; the This is Animation Patlabor 2: The Movie design book. Entirely printed in black and white, it’s 128 pages of character sketches and designs for everything in the film from weapons and equipment through civilian vehicles up to the labor mechs themselves.

Of particular note are the dozens of pages of storyboards and concept artwork from the film, making this yet another fascinating read for Headgear and Oshii fans, with enough material to ensure hours of fanboy-glee pouring over them. In fact I’ve just decided: I’m going to stop writing this right now and go and pend some quality time with all four of these beautiful books.

• Too many good images to upload here, so go and check out the high-res slideshow over on Flickr.

Some of the coolest things I picked up in Tokyo were a trio of Katsuhiro Otomo art books – although sadly they weren’t for me, intended instead for my favourite Otomo-san obsessive Al T. Shame, as I would have liked to have spent some quality time with these beauties. Luckily though, I was able to grab a few shots before I let him get his grubby paws all over them.

First off is the hard to find Akira Animation Archive – tricky to get hold of in the UK, and pretty elusive in Tokyo too, it turns out. But on the big man’s request I hunted high and low from Shinjuku to Akihabara, finally bagging a second hand copy in Mandarake Shibuya.

It’s a nice looking book, packed with lots of images, storyboards, sketches and concept designs from the classic film.

Next up is a hefty tone – one I had to think twice before buying just as the weight of the thing threatened to crush my luggage restrictions. Steamboy – The Storyboard Book does exactly what it says on the cover, presenting the films entire board set in a stylish hardcover volume.

As you can see, the hand drawn storyboards – all by Otomo himself, apparently – look great in this format, and the book looks like one you’d want to spend hours with.

Finally I also grabbed him this Robot Carnival art book. I have never seen the movie, sadly, but seeing as it’s an anthology of different directors’ works, there’s obviously a lot of stuff in here that isn’t Otomo produced. From the quick flick I had, there’s a lot of interesting stuff, especially if you’re into that slightly retro looking ‘80s anime vibe.

Anyway, I won’t say anymore, I’ll just wait for the man himself to let you know what he thinks…

Shibuya was the only place in Tokyo that I felt slightly disappointed with. Initially anyway.

After paying our respects to wonder-dog Hachiko at the stations exit (if you don’t know the heart-wrenching story, it really is essential reading), we headed into the much hyped shopping district. Dominated by big brand, global chain stores like Gap, HMV and Tower, the place feels decidedly soulless compared to the style mash-up of Harajuku. Sure there’s the Bathing Ape shop, with it’s funky disco-bling interior and glass steps filled with trainers on conveyor belts, but the prices in there feel like someone is actually taking the piss. Same goes for the G-Star store – nice gear, but how much? Really? Most interestingly, you never see anyone actually buying fuck all in either of them.

Feeling a little deflated by the bland excess of it all, we headed back to the station, only to stumble across what felt like bumping into a good, old friend when you’re feeling down: Mandarake Shibuya.

This used to be the chain’s flagship store before the Akihabara one got moved and expanded, and while it’s not quite so big and only on one (substantial) floor, it’s pretty cavernous. If you can survive the near seizure inducing flight down steps lit only by strobe lights, you’re in a for a treat. It’s a similar deal to Complex, but with much more of an emphasis on manga and artbooks than toys, where I was not only able to pick up some Patlabor books I’d been hunting for but also a copy of the highly elusive Akira Animation Archives for my boy Al T….

• Click here for more images of Shibuya