Nobuyuki Tsugata, Anime sakka toshite no Tezuka Osamu – Sono kiseki to honshitsu (Osamu Tezuka as Anime Artist –Trajectory and Essence), NTT Shuppan, 2007
Animation about “battles” can be traced back to Tezuka Osamu’s “Tetsuwan Atom” (Astro Boy). This book discusses the significance of “Tetsuwan Atom” from a variety of perspectives.
Touji Kon, Puramoderu shinkaron: Zerosen kara PG gandamu made (Evolution Theory of Plastic Models: From the Zero Fighter to PG Gundam), East Press, 2000
Book about the history of models. This book sheds light on military taste and the concept of the “real” that has had a major impact on animation.
Gou Sasakibara, ‘Bishoujo’ no gendaishi: ‘Moe’ to kyarakutaa (The Contemporary History of ‘Beautiful Girls’: ‘Moe’ and Character), Kodansha, 2004
Discusses the path of manga and animation from the 1970s onwards, focusing on the behavior of men who adore beautiful girl characters. Proposes one answer regarding the significance of the heroine for protagonists who battle continuously.
Takaaki Yoshimoto, Natsu wo koshita eiga (Cinema Beyond Summer), Ushio Shuppan, 1987
Animation about “battles” underwent a major transformation during the anime boom that included “Uchuusenkan Yamato” (Space Battleship Yamato), “Ginga Tetsudo 999” (Galaxy Express 999), and “Kidousenshi Gandamu” (Mobile Suit Gundam). Contemporary critique about the meaning of that shift.
“OUT” April Edition, Vol. 4 No. 4. Minori Shobo, April 1980
Gundam Special which features “intellects” offering a variety of opinions about “Kidousenshi Gandamu” (Mobile Suit Gundam). This special feature is a must-read when considering the significance of Gundam. Had a major impact on Yoshiyuki Tomino.
Minako Saito, Kouittenron – Anime, tokusatsu, denki no hiroin zou (Theory on Being the Only Girl – The Figure of the Heroine in Anime, Visual Effects and Biographical Works), Chikuma Bunko, 2001, first edition from Village Center Shuppankyoku, 1998
Discusses the position assigned to female characters in animation featuring “battles.” The points are caricatures but are on target.
Taro Igarashi (ed.), Evangelion kairaku gensoku (Evangelion Pleasure Principle), Daisanshokan, 1997
Useful book that brings together contemporary criticisms about “Shinseki Evangelion” (Neon Genesis Evangelion).
Reizuna Kato, et al, Purikyua shindoroomu! Purikyua 5 wo unda 25 nin (Precure Syndrome! The 25 People Who Created Precure 5), Gentosha, 2012
Interview collection of Precure lovers by Precure lovers for Precure lovers. Material for exploring the aims of beautiful girl warriors.
Kei Tanaka, Orijinaru bishoujo geemu no kyarakutaa ga egakeru eshijiten (Visual Dictionary Depicting Original Beautiful Girl Game Characters), Softbank Creative, 2011
One the many recent technique books specializing in the creation of characters. This book, however, distinguishes itself by trying to put into words the source of the appeal of beautiful girl characters.
This work has little to say about animation per se, but the argument proposed about “bodies that get hurt” is essential for thinking about “battles” in animation.