I've bought more then 7 of them through out my life and I'll say that they were indeed helpful! but depends on which on you buy. because some of them suck!

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"The highest intelligence is caring for others that you will never meet." - *celiex3

Most of them are really a waste some time. I haven't come across a "how to draw manga" book that I found to be a good resource yet. I would suggest checking out the book called "The Monster Book of Manga: Draw Like the Experts" though. This book is not for beginners but it does have some tips/ideas that I found to be very good. The artbook in the book is also amazing.

Buy the ones from actual Japanese people.

The ones that are from American people sort of fail at the style.

They help me alot.

I'd say the most of the books are a waste of money, especially costume encyclopedias the only 2 I own that were informative were "advanced coloring techniques" and "macro media flash techniques", and I'm considering "screen tone techniques" since it has a dvd with textures to apply plus it actually teaches you something!

most of these are 30% manga, 60% lineart you can find on the web, and the rest blaw blaw , chicken scratch!

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I fail to see the Humor!

The anatomy one is really helpful.

I never really USED the how to draw books, I just bought them to get pose ideas, back in the day.

But NOW I've dug my anatomy one out-- and I've started to draw each pose out of there, ten times a day to help myself get better.

I guess it depends on what kind of learner you are.

I could never follow the steps the books give you, I just kind of look- and draw.

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Steal my art and I'll stab your eyes out with used tampons.

I only have the Draw Your own Manga: Beyond the Basics from Kodansha, and is pretty useful, it doesn't for begginers in manga(because they don't teach you how draw)but it have a lot of tips and quick help for everything, from perspective to sounds effects and color, so i carry it everywhere.

I actually don't know how much is it because it is a very old gift, but if i lose it, i will buy another. I suggest you to check the books, because you need something that help you to improve your style, no something that try to change it(but still i recommend you the Beyond the Basics)

And i agree with ~mooncow2005, the American ones sucks.

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Manga Techniques: [link]d_sim_b_3

Style School: [link]

Those are the only two series that I really like and found helpful.

Some of them really suck!!

But there are others that help SOOOO SO SO much, in my opinion. Couldn't tell them to you off the top of my head, but...
OH there's a really awesome character design one called;;
Manga Matrix: (and something i can't remember after that xD)

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I used to go to the library to get "how to.." books xD But I learned a few basics on my own without books.
You can always use online tutorials, theres plenty of them here on DA xD

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