Newtype magazine started its life with the TV debut of ZETA GUNDAM in 1985 (the name itself pays homage to a central theme in the Gundam universe), and though the publication gradually broadened its scope to include other shows, the majority of the NEWTYPE 100% COLLECTIONS compilation volumes focus on mecha-oriented TV shows and theatrical releases. While the information sometimes isn't as extensive or complete as the name would suggest (the show synopses are oftentimes pretty sparse), for the most part the 100% Collection series provides a decent overview of the shows' highlights, along with some great artwork and plenty of lineart.

Gundam W: Complete Operation

After the rather dismal quality of the GUNDAM 0083 book (with only 7 color pages and poor grayscale printing on the rest), I was worried that the compilation series had gone downhill in quality. Thankfully, Kadokawa Publishing seems to have learned from that blunder. GUNDAM W: COMPLETE OPERATION returns to the usual high-quality printing of the 100% series, complete with glossy prints and neatly designed layouts.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the supplied information. While the book includes most of the illustrations used to date, including the CD and LD jackets and the two-page spreads featured in Newtype, it's somewhat sparse on actual details. The story is given lip service on a handful of pages, and the mecha don't get their own separate full-color pages, something that was done for the ZETA GUNDAM and CHAR'S COUNTERATTACK volumes. As such, the GUNDAM W book makes for a great art book, but completist-oriented readers looking for more information on the actual show should consider shopping around for the other GUNDAM W books in print. Definitely a "try before you buy..."
Last but not least, this volume doesn't include any material from the recent OVA ENDLESS WALTZ and it's rather unlikely that Kadokawa will issue another volume for the sequel...

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Given EVANGELION's popularity, the onslaught of Eva merchandise was only a matter of time, and this includes the requisite art books and film comics. The majority of Eva publications to date, however, lift most of their images from actual screenshots. Take the "Eve" art book, which highlights the female cast in EVANGELION. Though artfully done, the only original material is the cover and a smattering of preliminary concept artwork -- most of the images adorning the pages are lifted from existing TV footage.
NEWTYPE 100% COLLECTION: NEON GENESIS EVANGELION proves to be much different in this regard. It's chock-full of the two-page and full-page spreads featured in Newtype magazine. While the artwork isn't 'original' in the sense that it's been published before (those among you with a subscription to Newtype have probably seen most of the artwork already), most of it is gorgeous and all of the pictures come without any accompanying article text to obscure the artwork. At least it isn't recycled TV footage.
In fact, this is the thickest one-volume NEWTYPE 100% COLLECTION to date. This comes with a price, though, as the color pages are printed on slightly thinner paper stock to accomodate the large number of pages. But this is only a minor quibble to an otherwise great collection of artwork. If you enjoyed the Eva artwork featured in the past two years of Newtype, this compilation makes for a handy one-volume alternative to the piles of magazines sitting on the bookshelf.

Copyright © 1997 Kadokawashoten Evangelion: ISBN 4-04-852700-2 Gundam W: ISBN 4-04-852669-3 ¥1500 each