Pepita: Takehiko Inoue Meets Gaudí

Manga artist Takehiko Inoue documents his travels through Catalonia as he studies the architecture and life of Antoni Gaudí in this illustrated biographical memoir. The book chronicles Inoue's multiple visits to Barcelona spanning twenty years, from his first encounter with the Sagrada Familia during the 1992 Olympics to his later in-depth explorations. Through sketches and observations, Inoue records his conversations with craftsmen, architects, and experts who provide insight into Gaudí's creative process and architectural legacy. His journey takes him from Barcelona's iconic structures to the rural landscapes of Gaudí's youth, capturing both the built environment and natural settings that influenced the architect's work. The intersection of Eastern and Western artistic perspectives gives this architectural study unique depth, as Inoue brings his manga sensibilities to the documentation of Modernist architecture. Through careful examination of forms, spaces, and creative philosophy, the book reveals connections between nature, craft, and architectural innovation.

Readers appreciate Inoue's detailed sketches and observations of Gaudí's architecture in Barcelona, with many noting the book offers a unique perspective through an artist's eyes. The loose, expressive ink drawings capture both architectural details and the spirit of the city. Fans highlight: - The mix of architectural drawings and street scenes - Personal commentary that adds context to the sketches - High quality paper and printing - Bilingual text in Japanese and English Main criticisms: - Some find the format too brief at 108 pages - Price point feels high for the length - Limited narrative structure Ratings: Goodreads: 4.33/5 (90 ratings) Amazon Japan: 4.5/5 (13 reviews) Several reviewers describe it as more of an artist's travel journal than a comprehensive book about Gaudí's work. One reader noted: "It's like walking through Barcelona with Inoue as your guide, seeing the city through his skilled artistic perspective."

Barcelona Sketchbook by Graham Byfield and Marcus Binney An architect records Barcelona's landmarks and Gaudí's masterpieces through watercolor sketches and technical observations.

An Eye for Art by National Gallery of Art Artists share their creative processes and inspiration sources through sketches, photographs, and personal narratives.

Genius: Life and Art of Antoni Gaudí by Rainer Zerbst The book documents Gaudí's architectural evolution through drawings, photographs, and architectural plans.

Hiroshige: One Hundred Famous Views of Edo by Melanie Trede and Lorenz Bichler A Japanese master's urban observations merge architecture, nature, and human life through woodblock prints.

Lines of Vision: Architectural Sketches by Chen Chi-Kwan An architect captures the essence of buildings and spaces through minimalist ink drawings and travel sketches.

🔸 Takehiko Inoue is best known for creating the basketball manga series "Slam Dunk," which has sold over 120 million copies worldwide and played a significant role in popularizing basketball in Japan. 🔸 Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, has been under construction since 1882 and is scheduled for completion in 2026, marking the centenary of his death. 🔸 The book's title "Pepita" refers to the mosaic technique using broken ceramic tiles that Gaudí frequently employed in his designs, particularly visible in Park Güell. 🔸 During his research for the book, Inoue spent time studying Gaudí's original plaster models, many of which were damaged during the Spanish Civil War and had to be painstakingly reconstructed. 🔸 The architectural forms in Montserrat that inspired Gaudí were created over 50 million years ago through geological processes, resulting in the distinctive serrated mountain peaks that influenced his organic architectural style.