0.5 Like A Balance Life Second Mix Edition

It comes packaged in a thick card board box coloured in hot pink; girly, hot hot PINK. You can’t miss this book on the shelves, trust me on that! When you take the box cover off, you are presented with the first of the two booklets, called the Data Book. The cover has a transparent tracing paper over it, with the words ‘like a balance life’ on the front cover, and ‘second mix edition’ on the back cover, embossed on it in white (not obvious in the photos, sorry) and a strip of pink at the top with the text ’0.5 LIKE A BALANCE LIFE 2nd mix edition Data Book.’ Opening the front & back covers, there is a sketch printed on the inner cover flaps.

Within this book are a series of illustrations, sketches and artist notes, all beautiful in a way only Range Murata can be. Many of these sketches are from his various doujinshis, with new bits and pieces added (spanning from 1995 – 1997 in chronological order.) All have a very 1920s/1930s sort of theme to them, with a synergistic blend of contemporary and science fiction too. Quite quite lovely.

The second booklet features a classic RM girl with neko ears, this is a card board slip cover to a set of 40 colour illustrations, printed on a thick semi-gloss card board. The binding is straight glue, making it easy for you to pull the prints apart to frame (if you so desire!) Again the artwork is stunning.

This reprint was intended as an affordable option to the limited edition release; but from what I gather, it sold out quickly. I honestly cannot find anything wrong with this set, it has gorgeous artwork, a stylish presentation, and a price that I don’t feel bad paying, considering what I’m getting.

If you can get this book, get it, and if you have this book, don’t sell unless you really really need to!