Following on from my recent review of “The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra” which was published in English by No Starch Press, I would like to showcase another one of their upcoming book releases outside of the “Manga Guide” series. I am talking about “Wonderful Life with the Elements” by Japanese author Bunpei Yorifuji, well-known for his series of humorous ads for the Tokyo metro, Do It At Home, which show riders doing inappropriate activities on the subway and author of several other Japanese books including Milk Century and The Catalogue of Death.
When studying chemistry in either High School or University (Although the common ones you will learn about as a child), the periodic table is something you would be introduced to day one and will be referring to countless times during your course (Until I replaced it with a DuRaRaRa!! wall scroll I had a periodic table on my wall). Bunpei Yorifuji’s book is his attempt at bringing comedy to the periodic table by delivering comedic artwork and fun facts alongside educational information on each of the elements. See the bottom of this post for an example.
Here is the official blurb on this release:
From the brilliant mind of Japanese artist Bunpei Yorifuji comes Wonderful Life with the Elements, an illustrated guide to the periodic table that gives chemistry a friendly face.
In this super periodic table, every element is a unique character whose properties are represented visually: heavy elements are fat, man-made elements are robots, and noble gases sport impressive afros. Every detail is significant, from the length of an element’s beard to the clothes on its back. You’ll also learn about each element’s discovery, its common uses, and other vital stats like whether it floats—or explodes—in water.
Why bother trudging through a traditional periodic table? In this periodic paradise, the elements are people too. And once you’ve met them, you’ll never forget them.
This release is currently slated for September 2012 and will set you back $17.95. You can pre-order this title from the No Starch Press website HERE. You can expect a review of this book when it is made available!
