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The Sandman
The Sandman: The Dream Hunters
Sandman fans should feel lucky that master fantasy writer Neil Gaiman discovered the mythical world of Japanese fables while researching his translation of Hayao Miyazaki's film Princess Mononoke. At the same time, while preparing for the Sandman 10th anniversary, he met Yoshitaka Amano, his artist for the 11th Sandman book. Amano is the famed designer of the Final Fantasy game series. The product of Gaiman's immersion in Japanese art, culture, and history, Sandman: Dream Hunters is a classic Japanese tale (adapted from "The Fox, the Monk, and the Mikado of All Night's Dreaming") that he has subtly morphed into his Sandman universe.
Like most fables, the story begins with a wager between two jealous animals, a fox and a badger: which of them can drive a young monk from his solitary temple? The winner will make the temple into a new fox or badger home. But as the fox adopts the form of a woman to woo the monk from his hermitage, she falls in love with him. Meanwhile, in far away Kyoto, the wealthy Master of Yin-Yang, the onmyoji, is plagued by his fears and seeks tranquility in his command of sorcery. He learns of the monk and his inner peace; he dispatches demons to plague the monk in his dreams and eventually kill him to bring his peace to the onmyoji. The fox overhears the demons on their way to the monk and begins her struggle to save the man whom at first she so envied.
Dream Hunters is a beautiful package. From the ink-brush painted endpapers to the luminous page layouts--including Amano's gate-fold painting of Morpheus in a sea of reds, oranges, and violets--this book has been crafted for a sensuous reading experience. Gaiman has developed as a prose stylist in the last several years with novels and stories such as Neverwhere and Stardust, and his narrative rings with a sense of timelessness and magic that gently sustains this adult fairy tale. The only disappointment here is that the book is so brief. One could imagine this creative team being even better suited to a longer story of more epic proportions. On the final page of Dream Hunters, in fact, Amano suggest that he will collaborate further with Mr. Gaiman in the future. Readers of Dream Hunters will hope that Amano's dream comes true. --Patrick O'Kelley
Like most fables, the story begins with a wager between two jealous animals, a fox and a badger: which of them can drive a young monk from his solitary temple? The winner will make the temple into a new fox or badger home. But as the fox adopts the form of a woman to woo the monk from his hermitage, she falls in love with him. Meanwhile, in far away Kyoto, the wealthy Master of Yin-Yang, the onmyoji, is plagued by his fears and seeks tranquility in his command of sorcery. He learns of the monk and his inner peace; he dispatches demons to plague the monk in his dreams and eventually kill him to bring his peace to the onmyoji. The fox overhears the demons on their way to the monk and begins her struggle to save the man whom at first she so envied.
Dream Hunters is a beautiful package. From the ink-brush painted endpapers to the luminous page layouts--including Amano's gate-fold painting of Morpheus in a sea of reds, oranges, and violets--this book has been crafted for a sensuous reading experience. Gaiman has developed as a prose stylist in the last several years with novels and stories such as Neverwhere and Stardust, and his narrative rings with a sense of timelessness and magic that gently sustains this adult fairy tale. The only disappointment here is that the book is so brief. One could imagine this creative team being even better suited to a longer story of more epic proportions. On the final page of Dream Hunters, in fact, Amano suggest that he will collaborate further with Mr. Gaiman in the future. Readers of Dream Hunters will hope that Amano's dream comes true. --Patrick O'Kelley
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 859 reviews
July 6, 2016
A dreamy masterpiece!
This TPB is the original prose novella written by Neil Gaiman with illustrations of Yoshitaka Amano. Don’t get it confused with the comic book format version featuring artwork of P. Craig Russell.
DREAM TEAM
You would not seek to question a poem, or a falling leaf, or the mist on the mountaintop,… …Why, then, do you question me?
You may be aware of who is Neil Gaiman, the renowed British writer that got fame precisely with The Sandman comic book series, but also he has written several prose novels like American Gods, Stardust, Coraline, The Graveyard Book and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, just to mention some of the most popular ones.
However, you may haven’t heard of Yoshitaka Amano, at least not for his name, but it’s very likely that you know his work if you’re into anime & manga. Amano is a Japanese illustrator, with wide successful experience in character design. He has worked with anime companies such as Tatsunoko, collaborating with the character design of iconic anime series like Gatchaman (also known as “Battle of the Planets” or “G-Force”), Speed Racer and Tekkaman (also known as “Teknoman”). Also he has been involved in illustrations of the Vampire Hunter D prose novel series.
You put together those two talents and you only can get without a question, a truly dreamy masterpiece!
So, just to make it clear, once again, this book isn’t a comic book as the other volumes in The Sandman series but a prose novella featuring illustrations.
NOTHING IS REALLY FAIR IN LOVE… BUT VENGEANCE?
But you swore to help me!
And I helped you.
It is not fair,
No,… …It is not.
This story, The Dream Hunter, is a wonderful Japanese-style folk tale, conceived by Neil Gaiman using his known characters of The Sandman, and while you’ll enjoy to recognize the used characters here, you really don’t need have read previously the series to understand and appreciate this stand-alone book.
A monk, a fox and a warlock walk into a bar… oops! No, wrong story!
In reality, you won’t find many humor (if not at all) in this remarable romantic tragedy. (But you can't blame to try to put a smile in your faces!)
A small wager between a he-badger spirit and a she-fox spirit would lead into an epic whirlwind where the lives of a reserved monk, an intense she-fox spirit, and a wicked warlock, never will be the same.
You should be honest with yourself.
True love will be willing to do anything.
Despicable actions found reckoning.
In the middle of all that, you’ll meet those mysterious three women, that Neil Gaiman cleverly often used, like “The Kindly Ones” (The Sandman) or “The Hempstocks” (The Ocean at the End of the Lane), where you never know if they are the same ones or not, BUT that’s part of their charm.
Morpheus, Lord of the Dreams, will have to intervene in this tragedy since their actions put them right in Morpheus’ realm. With cool cameos of Cain and Abel, and one of Morpheus’ ravens, but the real identity of this particular raven isn’t clear, definitely isn’t Matthew or Lucien, but due a clue in the narrative and the time period of the story, I supposed that it must be Aristeas.
What is certain is that this is magnificent reading.
This TPB is the original prose novella written by Neil Gaiman with illustrations of Yoshitaka Amano. Don’t get it confused with the comic book format version featuring artwork of P. Craig Russell.
DREAM TEAM
You would not seek to question a poem, or a falling leaf, or the mist on the mountaintop,… …Why, then, do you question me?
You may be aware of who is Neil Gaiman, the renowed British writer that got fame precisely with The Sandman comic book series, but also he has written several prose novels like American Gods, Stardust, Coraline, The Graveyard Book and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, just to mention some of the most popular ones.
However, you may haven’t heard of Yoshitaka Amano, at least not for his name, but it’s very likely that you know his work if you’re into anime & manga. Amano is a Japanese illustrator, with wide successful experience in character design. He has worked with anime companies such as Tatsunoko, collaborating with the character design of iconic anime series like Gatchaman (also known as “Battle of the Planets” or “G-Force”), Speed Racer and Tekkaman (also known as “Teknoman”). Also he has been involved in illustrations of the Vampire Hunter D prose novel series.
You put together those two talents and you only can get without a question, a truly dreamy masterpiece!
So, just to make it clear, once again, this book isn’t a comic book as the other volumes in The Sandman series but a prose novella featuring illustrations.
NOTHING IS REALLY FAIR IN LOVE… BUT VENGEANCE?
But you swore to help me!
And I helped you.
It is not fair,
No,… …It is not.
This story, The Dream Hunter, is a wonderful Japanese-style folk tale, conceived by Neil Gaiman using his known characters of The Sandman, and while you’ll enjoy to recognize the used characters here, you really don’t need have read previously the series to understand and appreciate this stand-alone book.
A monk, a fox and a warlock walk into a bar… oops! No, wrong story!
In reality, you won’t find many humor (if not at all) in this remarable romantic tragedy. (But you can't blame to try to put a smile in your faces!)
A small wager between a he-badger spirit and a she-fox spirit would lead into an epic whirlwind where the lives of a reserved monk, an intense she-fox spirit, and a wicked warlock, never will be the same.
You should be honest with yourself.
True love will be willing to do anything.
Despicable actions found reckoning.
In the middle of all that, you’ll meet those mysterious three women, that Neil Gaiman cleverly often used, like “The Kindly Ones” (The Sandman) or “The Hempstocks” (The Ocean at the End of the Lane), where you never know if they are the same ones or not, BUT that’s part of their charm.
Morpheus, Lord of the Dreams, will have to intervene in this tragedy since their actions put them right in Morpheus’ realm. With cool cameos of Cain and Abel, and one of Morpheus’ ravens, but the real identity of this particular raven isn’t clear, definitely isn’t Matthew or Lucien, but due a clue in the narrative and the time period of the story, I supposed that it must be Aristeas.
What is certain is that this is magnificent reading.
February 14, 2021
A prose retelling of a Japanese fairy tale with illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano. This is the story of a fox that falls in love with a monk. When she learns of a plot to harm him through his dreams, she takes his place.
I like how Gaiman subtly changed the tale to include Morpheus and other members of his menagerie. This is the kind of Sandman story that Gaiman does best, where Morpheus is a minor character encountered by the true protagonists of the story.
I like how Gaiman subtly changed the tale to include Morpheus and other members of his menagerie. This is the kind of Sandman story that Gaiman does best, where Morpheus is a minor character encountered by the true protagonists of the story.
May 16, 2016
Oh hey, I know this story! Well, my version didn't have Cain and Abel and the Raven in it, but the monk and fox part was familiar. Not what I was expecting at all. Slightly disappointed to not get something new to me, but this was a very well-done version with lovely illustrations.
July 4, 2021
I have seen pictures of Yoshitako Amano's art online so I knew I was drawn to his work, but I wasn't expecting to find it as captivating as I did. It perfectly compliments Neil Gaiman's story that fits beautifully into The Sandman universe. I read this in one sitting and found it hypnotic and wonderful. As well as being an excellent addition to Neil Gaiman's Sandman epic, it has reminded me that I want to read Japanese Fairy Tales (and mythology) and experience more of Yoshitako Amano's artwork.
February 18, 2019
This story has a very special place in my heart. It’s enchanting, tragically romantic and quite unforgettable. It is about many things, but the nature of love and the sanctity of life are the themes that always echo in my brain when I flip through it. I have also recently found myself very drawn to stories featuring a fox: I’m not quite sure why that is, but a quick exploration of the many symbolic associations with foxes gave me quite a lot to ponder…
There are two versions of this story available in print: the graphic novel version, illustrated by the amazing P. Craig Russell (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), and this one, published as an illustrated novella. I am a huge fan of Russell’s style, but there is something darkly haunting about Yoshitaka Amano’s work, which suits my current mood a little better than Russell’s whimsy – and I love this little fable so freaking much that I just wanted every version of it that was out there. Besides, this illustrated novella format means we get more of Mr. Gaiman’s beautiful words, which is something precious that I can’t get enough of.
I was not very familiar with this Japanese illustrator’s work, as I am a complete dilettante when it comes to video games and anime, until I got my hands on this book. But from what I can see in my copy of “Dream Hunter”, he is an incredible artist who truly captured the essence of this story.
Beautiful, melancholy and moving.
There are two versions of this story available in print: the graphic novel version, illustrated by the amazing P. Craig Russell (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), and this one, published as an illustrated novella. I am a huge fan of Russell’s style, but there is something darkly haunting about Yoshitaka Amano’s work, which suits my current mood a little better than Russell’s whimsy – and I love this little fable so freaking much that I just wanted every version of it that was out there. Besides, this illustrated novella format means we get more of Mr. Gaiman’s beautiful words, which is something precious that I can’t get enough of.
I was not very familiar with this Japanese illustrator’s work, as I am a complete dilettante when it comes to video games and anime, until I got my hands on this book. But from what I can see in my copy of “Dream Hunter”, he is an incredible artist who truly captured the essence of this story.
Beautiful, melancholy and moving.
August 28, 2018
This Japanese folk tale was fairly familiar to me, but it was a pleasure to read an expanded version of it and then to discover in the afterword that Gaiman was a bit freaked out to see how close the story fit in with his Sandman series. Though sometimes rather dark (in coloring), the art had much going on in it, and my favorite page was a hitherto uncharacteristic burst of colorful birds, reminding me of a Walter Inglis Anderson (a favorite artist of mine).
September 12, 2023
I've read the P. Craig Russell comic adaptation at least twice but this is my first time reading the original work. Gaiman thought of doing this story while he was translating the film Princess Monanoke. DC wanted a Sandman comic for the 10th anniversary but artist Yoshitaka Amano said he doesn't do comics... so we have a lushly illustrated novella instead. And no one is complaining (except perhaps P. Craig Russell!).
Told in his mythos style reminiscent of the prose in Norse Mythology. It feels at times a bit didactic, like a Brother's Grimm tale. But there is some flair.
"Sandman: Dream Hunters is a classic Japanese tale adapted from "The Fox, the Monk, and the Mikado of All Night's Dreaming" that he has subtly morphed into his Sandman universe." I heard this was a lie. Now I can't find anything disputing it. But I think the tale is actually 100% Gaiman.
The artwork is fantastic and the book is worth picking up just to look at it.
Told in his mythos style reminiscent of the prose in Norse Mythology. It feels at times a bit didactic, like a Brother's Grimm tale. But there is some flair.
"Sandman: Dream Hunters is a classic Japanese tale adapted from "The Fox, the Monk, and the Mikado of All Night's Dreaming" that he has subtly morphed into his Sandman universe." I heard this was a lie. Now I can't find anything disputing it. But I think the tale is actually 100% Gaiman.
The artwork is fantastic and the book is worth picking up just to look at it.
March 27, 2017
A beautiful novella fairy story done in faux Japanese fable form by Gaiman at the top of his form.
Recently, after the latest Sandman Overture was released, I went back and reread all of the classic Sandman series from the 90s. Completest that I try to be, I'm glad I read this which was the first time Gaiman went back to the Sandman.
Often, the best Sandman stories are the ones that feature Morpheus (also known as the King of All Night's Dreaming here) as a peripheral character. The more mythological short stories about dreams and gods, with smaller-scale main characters against the backdrop of Gaiman's impressive fantasy world.
In this one--which was published by DC/Vertigo but is a prose novella and beautifully illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano--we encounter a humble monk and a fox spiritess. There is love, and revenge. I shan't say anymore.
This book is recommended not only for Sandman fans but also for anyone interested in story and the written word. Geeky comic fandom not a requirement at all.
Recently, after the latest Sandman Overture was released, I went back and reread all of the classic Sandman series from the 90s. Completest that I try to be, I'm glad I read this which was the first time Gaiman went back to the Sandman.
Often, the best Sandman stories are the ones that feature Morpheus (also known as the King of All Night's Dreaming here) as a peripheral character. The more mythological short stories about dreams and gods, with smaller-scale main characters against the backdrop of Gaiman's impressive fantasy world.
In this one--which was published by DC/Vertigo but is a prose novella and beautifully illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano--we encounter a humble monk and a fox spiritess. There is love, and revenge. I shan't say anymore.
This book is recommended not only for Sandman fans but also for anyone interested in story and the written word. Geeky comic fandom not a requirement at all.
July 18, 2012
Gaiman + Amano is a pairing that's like a dream come true, pun intended. Gaiman blends his Sandman characters with a Japanese fable and Amano, the artist and character designer behind many Final Fantasy games illustrates. It's beautiful, and while some video game fans complain that Amano is a one-trick pony, I think that having more of his signature style can only be a good thing.
July 16, 2023
Одна з найкращих робіт Ґеймана, поруч із Зоряним пилом і графічним оповіданням 24 години 💔
June 24, 2021
Un volume a dir poco atipico, questo dodicesimo libro.
Come si apprende nella postfazione, Gaiman si era documentato sulla mitologia giapponese mentre si occupava dei dialoghi della versione inglese della Principessa Mononoke. E durante questa fase di documentazione si era imbattuto nella storia "La volpe, il monaco e il mikado dei sogni di tutta la notte", rimanendo colpito dalle similitudini con la storia che aveva scritto in precedenza, Sandman.
Tempo dopo, in occasione del decennale della serie, il disegnatore giapponese Amano ha fatto un poster di Sogno, che Gaiman ha trovato bellissimo anche se si trattava di un Morfeo diverso da quello che aveva raccontato fino ad allora.
La richiesta di scrivere una storia di Sandman per il decennale lo ha spinto a riscrivere la storia giapponese che aveva scoperto in passato, illustrata da Amano.
Il fatto poi che Amano non disegnasse fumetti ma illustrazioni ha portato all'atipicità principale di questo volume.
Un volume che contiene una storia in prosa, la storia giapponese riadattata da Gaiman e inserita nell'universo di Sandman. Corredata delle splendide illustrazioni di Amano, compreso un paginone centrale doppio da aprire completamente per gustarsi Morfeo nella sua sala del trono.
Che aggiungere?
Gaiman incontra il giappone e la sua mitologia, ficcandoli in Sandman.
Il risultato non poteva che essere egregio, specie se si è cresciuti leggendo o vedendo storie relative a racconti di questo tipo.
Edit: dopo avere letto il fumetto che adatta la storia in prosa, si scopre che Gaiman si era totalmente inventato la genesi di questo racconto, dovendo riempire diverse pagine di postfazione poi diventato un trafiletto scritto piccolo piccolo per via della mole di illustrazioni.
Quindi no, non è un'antica favola giapponese trovata mentre faceva ricerche sulla mitologia nipponica.
E' "solamente" una storia di Gaiman che pesca a piene mani da quell'ambientazione, fatta così bene da rendere perfettamente plausibile il racconto della sua origine. Del resto, in un albo sul Re delle Storie, ha senso che pure la storia della storia sia una storia, no?
Come si apprende nella postfazione, Gaiman si era documentato sulla mitologia giapponese mentre si occupava dei dialoghi della versione inglese della Principessa Mononoke. E durante questa fase di documentazione si era imbattuto nella storia "La volpe, il monaco e il mikado dei sogni di tutta la notte", rimanendo colpito dalle similitudini con la storia che aveva scritto in precedenza, Sandman.
Tempo dopo, in occasione del decennale della serie, il disegnatore giapponese Amano ha fatto un poster di Sogno, che Gaiman ha trovato bellissimo anche se si trattava di un Morfeo diverso da quello che aveva raccontato fino ad allora.
La richiesta di scrivere una storia di Sandman per il decennale lo ha spinto a riscrivere la storia giapponese che aveva scoperto in passato, illustrata da Amano.
Il fatto poi che Amano non disegnasse fumetti ma illustrazioni ha portato all'atipicità principale di questo volume.
Un volume che contiene una storia in prosa, la storia giapponese riadattata da Gaiman e inserita nell'universo di Sandman. Corredata delle splendide illustrazioni di Amano, compreso un paginone centrale doppio da aprire completamente per gustarsi Morfeo nella sua sala del trono.
Che aggiungere?
Gaiman incontra il giappone e la sua mitologia, ficcandoli in Sandman.
Il risultato non poteva che essere egregio, specie se si è cresciuti leggendo o vedendo storie relative a racconti di questo tipo.
Edit: dopo avere letto il fumetto che adatta la storia in prosa, si scopre che Gaiman si era totalmente inventato la genesi di questo racconto, dovendo riempire diverse pagine di postfazione poi diventato un trafiletto scritto piccolo piccolo per via della mole di illustrazioni.
Quindi no, non è un'antica favola giapponese trovata mentre faceva ricerche sulla mitologia nipponica.
E' "solamente" una storia di Gaiman che pesca a piene mani da quell'ambientazione, fatta così bene da rendere perfettamente plausibile il racconto della sua origine. Del resto, in un albo sul Re delle Storie, ha senso che pure la storia della storia sia una storia, no?
September 13, 2021
Ο Neil Gaiman, γνωστός πεζογράφος και δημιουργός Graphic novel (The Sandman), συμπράττει με τον καταξιωμένο σύγχρονο Ιάπωνα ζωγράφο Yoshitaka Amano και δημιουργούν ένα μοναδικό παραμύθι. Στην Ιαπωνία των αρχαίων χρόνων, μια αλεπού και ένας βουδιστής μοναχός ερωτεύονται. Εμπόδιο θα σταθεί ο παντοδύναμος Μάγος του Γιν-Γιανγκ που καταφέρνει να παγιδεύσει τον μοναχό και την αλεπού στον κόσμο των ονείρων. Εκεί ο μοναχός ξεκινά την αναζήτηση του Βασιλιά των Ονείρων, Μορφέα θέλοντας να σώσει την αλεπού.
Σε αυτόν τον κόσμο των ονείρων, της σαγήνης και της μαγείας, ένα συναρπαστικό παραμύθι μας μιλά για την αγάπη, την πίστη, την αφοσίωση, τη δέσμευση,την αυτοθυσία, την προδοσία, την εκδίκηση, το τίμημα των επιλογών μας.
Join the "The Sandman Universe"
Σε αυτόν τον κόσμο των ονείρων, της σαγήνης και της μαγείας, ένα συναρπαστικό παραμύθι μας μιλά για την αγάπη, την πίστη, την αφοσίωση, τη δέσμευση,την αυτοθυσία, την προδοσία, την εκδίκηση, το τίμημα των επιλογών μας.
Join the "The Sandman Universe"
January 28, 2019
Beautifully written and haunting artwork . I have never been disappointed by anything Gaiman has been associated with .
March 18, 2017
O 5ος τόμος του Sandman που ήδη διαβάζω, έχει μία μικρή ιδιαιτερότητα μιάς και το πρώτο του μέρος έχει μεταφραστεί σε ένα αυτοτελές βιβλίο στα Ελληνικά. Οι "Κυνηγοί των Ονείρων" μας μεταφέρουν την εκδοχή του Gaiman στο Γιαπωνέζικο παραμύθι "Η Αλεπού ο Μοναχός και ο Βασιλιάς των Ονείρων" με μία ΑΠΙΘΑΝΗ εικονογράφηση από τον Yoshitaka Amano. Μία αλεπού ερωτεύεται έναν ερημίτη μοναχό και αποφασίζει να θυσιάσει τη ζωή της για να τον γλιτώσει από τον μοχθηρό άρχοντα Ονμιότζι. Κυκλοφορεί από τις εκδόσεις ΟΞΥ, μην το χάσετε.
April 7, 2022
this was so glorious in so many ways. gaiman is such a master storyteller and amano’s artwork is beyond stunning. i cant wait to get into more of the sandman series!
January 21, 2024
4.5 stars, rounded up
Beautiful story inspired by Japanese culture and, indeed, artwork. I especially love the character of the fox and her growth through the chapters of the story. Gaiman is adept at creating stories that could fit easily and seamlessly into mythology. The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars is that was far too short for my liking. I could have spent far longer in the company of these characters.
Beautiful story inspired by Japanese culture and, indeed, artwork. I especially love the character of the fox and her growth through the chapters of the story. Gaiman is adept at creating stories that could fit easily and seamlessly into mythology. The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars is that was far too short for my liking. I could have spent far longer in the company of these characters.
January 4, 2021
"The Sandman: The Dream Hunters"
This is an illustrated novella, written by Neil Gaiman and drawn by Yoshitaka Amano. It takes place in the universe of The Sandman series, but I think that it can be very easily read from someone who has no idea about the series.
A fox spirit (whatever that means) and a badger make a deal that whichever makes a Buddhist Monk leave his temple, gets to keep said temple. After they both miserably fail, the badger leaves, while the fox spirit apologies to the monk, who then allows her to remain in the temple. Somewhere else, a rich man's mind is being overrun by a fear that remains nameless. After he consults three women, they tell him that to make this fear disappear, he needs to make the monk get trapped into a dream, leading to his body sleeping until it dies. The fox spirit learns this by overhearing some demons that were hired by the rich man. After she learns that, she goes to meet Morpheus, who in that case looks like a fox (because it has been established from a very early point in the series that when an animal sees Morpheus, it sees him as whichever animal it itself is). She learns from him that in order to save the monk she has to capture a baku and take the monk's place. The plan works perfectly, but when the monk realises that the fox isn't waking up he leaves his temple to find Morpheus, so that he can save her.
This novella is a story for the love between the monk and the fox spirit. It was a quick and easy read. Thanks to Neil Gaiman's writing while it's great, it's also simple and it reads very easily. My favorite part of this novella is the vivid, beautiful description of Morpheus. Also Yoshitaka Amano's gorgeous illustrations (which take more than half of the book) are just amazing. They are drawn in a way that it makes them look like old Japanese illustrations, so it really helps to make the reader feel like he's right there, at that time, watching everything as it happens. If I'd have to say one negative thinking about the artwork is that Morpheus some times looks like a woman. I'd be totally ok with this if it was done intentionally, but I think it wasn't.
This is an illustrated novella, written by Neil Gaiman and drawn by Yoshitaka Amano. It takes place in the universe of The Sandman series, but I think that it can be very easily read from someone who has no idea about the series.
A fox spirit (whatever that means) and a badger make a deal that whichever makes a Buddhist Monk leave his temple, gets to keep said temple. After they both miserably fail, the badger leaves, while the fox spirit apologies to the monk, who then allows her to remain in the temple. Somewhere else, a rich man's mind is being overrun by a fear that remains nameless. After he consults three women, they tell him that to make this fear disappear, he needs to make the monk get trapped into a dream, leading to his body sleeping until it dies. The fox spirit learns this by overhearing some demons that were hired by the rich man. After she learns that, she goes to meet Morpheus, who in that case looks like a fox (because it has been established from a very early point in the series that when an animal sees Morpheus, it sees him as whichever animal it itself is). She learns from him that in order to save the monk she has to capture a baku and take the monk's place. The plan works perfectly, but when the monk realises that the fox isn't waking up he leaves his temple to find Morpheus, so that he can save her.
This novella is a story for the love between the monk and the fox spirit. It was a quick and easy read. Thanks to Neil Gaiman's writing while it's great, it's also simple and it reads very easily. My favorite part of this novella is the vivid, beautiful description of Morpheus. Also Yoshitaka Amano's gorgeous illustrations (which take more than half of the book) are just amazing. They are drawn in a way that it makes them look like old Japanese illustrations, so it really helps to make the reader feel like he's right there, at that time, watching everything as it happens. If I'd have to say one negative thinking about the artwork is that Morpheus some times looks like a woman. I'd be totally ok with this if it was done intentionally, but I think it wasn't.
July 16, 2014
I particularly loved the Japanese-inspired art and mythology. So pretty. It would be easy to believe that somehow the Sandman mythos could be part of Japanese mythological history. It feels real.
Library copy
Library copy
August 15, 2016
“Hãy theo ta,” con quạ nói, giọng nó nghe như hai viên sỏi cạ vào nhau.
“Ngươi sẽ dẫn ta đi gặp Mộng Đế chứ?” nhà sư hỏi.
“Ngươi đã không hỏi một bài thơ, một chiếc lá rơi, hay sương mù trên đỉnh núi,” con quạ đáp. “Vậy thì tại sao lại đi hỏi ta?”
Quyển đầu tiên mình đọc trong series The Sandman.
Mình đọc quyển này từ khi còn chưa biết 'The Sandman' là gì hay Neil Gaiman là ai. Lý do duy nhất mình đọc nó là do nó có... bản dịch tiếng Việt. Không rõ là do Neil Gaiman viết quá tốt hay do người dịch đã dịch quá mượt mà khi lần đầu đọc truyện mình không hề nghĩ câu chuyện này do một người Anh viết ra. Những câu văn đẹp, mượt mà và tinh tế biết bao.
"Chúa công,” nhà sư nói. “Thần là một hòa thượng. Thần không sở hữu vật gì trừ cái chén khuyết thực. Nhưng giấc mơ mà hồ ly nữ mơ là giấc mơ của thần. Thần muốn nó được trả về cho thần.”
Nhưng, nhà vua đáp, nếu ta trả giấc mơ lại cho ngươi, ngươi sẽ phải chết thay cho nàng.
“Thần hiểu điều đó,” nhà sư trả lời. “Nhưng đó là giấc mơ của thần. Thần sẽ không để hồ ly nữ chết thay thần.”
Mộng Đế gật đầu. Khuông mặt ngài không đổi, nhưng nhà sư thấy dường như ngài thoáng buồn, nhưng ngài cũng hài lòng, và vị hòa thượng trẻ biết mình đã yêu cầu đúng.
Mộng Đế giơ tay, và miếng kính nằm trống trơ trên mặt đất, và con cáo đứng bên cạnh nhà sư trong bóng tối.
Ngươi đã chọn lựa đúng, dù phải hi sinh một chút, Mộng Đế nói với nhà sư. Vì vậy ta sẽ ban cho ngươi một đặc ân. Ngươi có thể giã từ hồ ly nương.
Thiếu nữ vội quỳ xuống ôm chân Mộng Đế. “Nhưng ngài đã hứa giúp thiếp!” nàng giận dữ nói.
Và ta đã giúp ngươi rồi.
“Chuyện này thật không công bằng,” nàng nói.
Không, Mộng Đế đáp. Không công bằng.
December 4, 2011
A retelling of a Japanese fairy tale, with Gaiman's Sandman characters grafted onto certain roles. This is not a comic book but an illustrated novella. It's a decent story, though it isn't up to the caliber of his best Sandman stories. What distinguishes this book most is the lovely multi-page spreads of Yoshitaka Amano's artwork. Worth having if you are a Sandman or Amano fan.
October 2, 2022
The exquisite artwork is everything!!!!!! I gasped in disbelief when I first took a good look at how famed artist, Mr. Yumihiko Amano drew the King of Dreams and the Three Fates, in all their glories!!!!!!
Rating: 20 'my heart is gonna explode in happiness' fangirl stars.
It's a match made in heaven, Neil Gaiman crossover Yumihiko Amano!!!! Both are titans in their own fields!
It's a tale from the Realm of Dreams, which took place in ancient Japan, a monk who lived in a small temple must face the tests of seduction, deadly spells, and the threat of death. A green-eyed fox wanted to help him through the crisis, but things are complicated when spells and the Realm of Dreams are involved.
I don't know whether Mr. Gaiman had mentors to instruct him about Japanese cultures or not, but I like how Japanese traditional cultural elements, folklore, and demonic mythology are sewn seamlessly with the plots and the mythology of The Sandman.
I couldn't believe how graceful and gorgeous the King of Dreams look under Mr. Amano's pen!!! This graphic novel offers up two full-colored illustrations of Dream, who wears a robe that looks half like Gothic armor and half like a kimono, and both of these illustrations took my breath away!!!! You won't believe it before you see it for yourself!
The other characters and the Realm of Dreams are also exquisitely drawn as well! I like how the Fox looks when she was a human, I like the Fox's meeting with the Great Black Fox in the Dreamland (the scene looks so mysterious), I also like the scenes with the Master of Ying and Yang meeting the Three Fates (or the three witches or the three oracles) in their gloomy little cottage.
PS: if you still haven't watched the Netflix Sandman TV show yet, show it now!!!
Rating: 20 'my heart is gonna explode in happiness' fangirl stars.
It's a match made in heaven, Neil Gaiman crossover Yumihiko Amano!!!! Both are titans in their own fields!
It's a tale from the Realm of Dreams, which took place in ancient Japan, a monk who lived in a small temple must face the tests of seduction, deadly spells, and the threat of death. A green-eyed fox wanted to help him through the crisis, but things are complicated when spells and the Realm of Dreams are involved.
I don't know whether Mr. Gaiman had mentors to instruct him about Japanese cultures or not, but I like how Japanese traditional cultural elements, folklore, and demonic mythology are sewn seamlessly with the plots and the mythology of The Sandman.
I couldn't believe how graceful and gorgeous the King of Dreams look under Mr. Amano's pen!!! This graphic novel offers up two full-colored illustrations of Dream, who wears a robe that looks half like Gothic armor and half like a kimono, and both of these illustrations took my breath away!!!! You won't believe it before you see it for yourself!
The other characters and the Realm of Dreams are also exquisitely drawn as well! I like how the Fox looks when she was a human, I like the Fox's meeting with the Great Black Fox in the Dreamland (the scene looks so mysterious), I also like the scenes with the Master of Ying and Yang meeting the Three Fates (or the three witches or the three oracles) in their gloomy little cottage.
PS: if you still haven't watched the Netflix Sandman TV show yet, show it now!!!
January 18, 2021
یوشیتاکا آمانو را اولین بار با مجموعه نقاشی های رویایی اش برای گنجی مونوگاتاری (سرگذشت شاهزاده گنجی) شناختم. افسانه ی گنجی را به روایتی اولین رمان کلاسیک ژاپنی می نامند که توسط یک زن درباری نوشته شده است. اما متاسفانه تنها یک فصل آن به صورت کتابچه ای جیبی از ژاپنی به فارسی ترجمه شده است. (رجوع شود به دفتری از داستان گنجی «یوگائو»)
دومین برخورد من با آمانو ، انیمیشن کوتاه و سمفونیک ۱۰۰۱ شب بود با طراحی چشم نوازی که از اعماق ژرف رویاها می تراوید.
و شکارچیان رویا، این اثر تناسخ یافته از یکی از قصه های پر رمز و راز قدیمی ژاپنی، آراسته با تلفیقی از سبک ها و مدیوم های مختلف نقاشی، تازه ترین یافته من است از این هنرمند رویا ریس ژاپنی.
دومین برخورد من با آمانو ، انیمیشن کوتاه و سمفونیک ۱۰۰۱ شب بود با طراحی چشم نوازی که از اعماق ژرف رویاها می تراوید.
و شکارچیان رویا، این اثر تناسخ یافته از یکی از قصه های پر رمز و راز قدیمی ژاپنی، آراسته با تلفیقی از سبک ها و مدیوم های مختلف نقاشی، تازه ترین یافته من است از این هنرمند رویا ریس ژاپنی.
December 28, 2019
3.75 ★★★★☆
Reseña en español | Review in english (below)
Sandman: Cazadores de sueños es mi segunda incursión en el universo Sandman y, aun sin conocer la historia principal de los cómics, ésta ha sido una historia que me ha atrapado desde el inicio, en gran parte gracias al maravilloso trabajo de ilustración de Yoshitaka Amano, y que me ha gustado mucho.
Sandman: Cazadores de sueños es un relato corto ambientado en el Japón feudal, mitad mitología y folklore y mitad cuento onírico, donde Neil Gaiman expande el universo de Sandman (al parecer algunos personajes que aparecen en este relato están tomados directamente de la historia principal) hacia la cultura oriental. Cazadores de Sueños nos cuenta la historia de un monje budista que vive solo en un templo situado en la ladera de una montaña. Un buen día una zorra y un tejón deciden hacer una apuesta: aquel que consiga expulsar al monje del templo se quedaría ese lugar como hogar. Ambos emplean todos los recursos a su alcance para engañar al monje y hacer que este se vaya, apareciendo ante él como una joven princesa con falsas promesas o como un grupo de monstruos amenazantes. Pero el monje es mucho más astuto de lo que parece y ningún engaño funciona con él. A pesar de todo, el monje siente lástima por la zorra y la deja vivir en las cercanías del templo, y cuando ésta se entera de la amenaza mortal que acecha al monje debido a una profecía pronunciada por las Tres Brujas a un poderoso señor feudal conocido como el Onmyoji en la que advertían a este que no podría vivir a no ser que el monje encontrara la muerte, no duda en hacer lo posible por ayudarle, ya que se había enamorado de él. Y es aquí cuando entramos en el reino de Morfeo, ya que el plan del Onmyoji se servía de sueños para asesinar al monje.
En esta ocasión, el formato (relato ilustrado) me ha funcionado mucho mejor que en mi anterior experiencia con la historia de Sandman: Muerte , además de haberme gustado mucho el argumento general de la historia, la ambientación en Japón, y el apartado gráfico del ilustrador japonés, como comenté al inicio. Ha sido una historia que me ha recordado a la animación de Studio Ghibli, y creo que me fue fácil conectar con el relato por esa razón. Aun si no sois enamorados de Sandman este relato es muy recomendable, no tanto por la propia historia, sino por lo bonito de la edición ilustrada.
———————
The Sandman: The Dream Hunters is just my second approach to the Sandman universe and, even without knowing the main story of the comics, this has been a book that has captivated me from the beginning, largely thanks to the wonderful illustration work by Yoshitaka Amano, and that I liked it very much.
The Sandman: The Dream Hunters is a short story set in feudal Japan, half mythology and folklore, where Neil Gaiman expands the universe of Sandman (apparently some characters that appear here are taken directly from the central story) towards the eastern culture and folklore. The Dream Hunters tells us the story of a Buddhist monk who lives alone in a temple on the side of a mountain. One day a fox and a badger decide to make a bet: the one who manages to expel the monk from the temple would claim that place as its home. Both will use all the resources at their disposal to deceive the monk and make him leave, either appearing before him as a young princess with false promises, or as a group of menacing monsters. But the monk is much more cunning than he seems and no trickery works with him. In spite of everything, the monk feels sorry for the fox and lets her live near the temple. When she finds out about the deadly threat that hangs over the monk due to a prophecy pronounced by the Three Witches to a powerful feudal lord known as the Onmyoji –in which they warned him that he could not live unless the monk found death–, she does not hesitate to do her best to help the monk, as she had fallen in love with him. And this is when we enter the kingdom of Morpheus considering the Onmyoji's plan is using dreams to assassinate the monk.
On this occasion, the format (illustrated story) has worked for me much better than in my previous experience with the story of Sandman: Death ; besides having enjoyed the general plot and the setting in Japan, I loved the graphic work of the Japanese illustrator, as I mentioned before. It has been a story that reminded me of the animated films from Studio Ghibli, and I think it was easy for me to relate with the narrative for that very reason. Even if you are not a fan of Sandman, I highly recommended this book: not so much for the story itself, but for the beauty of this illustrated edition.
Reseña en español | Review in english (below)
Sandman: Cazadores de sueños es mi segunda incursión en el universo Sandman y, aun sin conocer la historia principal de los cómics, ésta ha sido una historia que me ha atrapado desde el inicio, en gran parte gracias al maravilloso trabajo de ilustración de Yoshitaka Amano, y que me ha gustado mucho.
Sandman: Cazadores de sueños es un relato corto ambientado en el Japón feudal, mitad mitología y folklore y mitad cuento onírico, donde Neil Gaiman expande el universo de Sandman (al parecer algunos personajes que aparecen en este relato están tomados directamente de la historia principal) hacia la cultura oriental. Cazadores de Sueños nos cuenta la historia de un monje budista que vive solo en un templo situado en la ladera de una montaña. Un buen día una zorra y un tejón deciden hacer una apuesta: aquel que consiga expulsar al monje del templo se quedaría ese lugar como hogar. Ambos emplean todos los recursos a su alcance para engañar al monje y hacer que este se vaya, apareciendo ante él como una joven princesa con falsas promesas o como un grupo de monstruos amenazantes. Pero el monje es mucho más astuto de lo que parece y ningún engaño funciona con él. A pesar de todo, el monje siente lástima por la zorra y la deja vivir en las cercanías del templo, y cuando ésta se entera de la amenaza mortal que acecha al monje debido a una profecía pronunciada por las Tres Brujas a un poderoso señor feudal conocido como el Onmyoji en la que advertían a este que no podría vivir a no ser que el monje encontrara la muerte, no duda en hacer lo posible por ayudarle, ya que se había enamorado de él. Y es aquí cuando entramos en el reino de Morfeo, ya que el plan del Onmyoji se servía de sueños para asesinar al monje.
En esta ocasión, el formato (relato ilustrado) me ha funcionado mucho mejor que en mi anterior experiencia con la historia de Sandman: Muerte , además de haberme gustado mucho el argumento general de la historia, la ambientación en Japón, y el apartado gráfico del ilustrador japonés, como comenté al inicio. Ha sido una historia que me ha recordado a la animación de Studio Ghibli, y creo que me fue fácil conectar con el relato por esa razón. Aun si no sois enamorados de Sandman este relato es muy recomendable, no tanto por la propia historia, sino por lo bonito de la edición ilustrada.
———————
The Sandman: The Dream Hunters is just my second approach to the Sandman universe and, even without knowing the main story of the comics, this has been a book that has captivated me from the beginning, largely thanks to the wonderful illustration work by Yoshitaka Amano, and that I liked it very much.
The Sandman: The Dream Hunters is a short story set in feudal Japan, half mythology and folklore, where Neil Gaiman expands the universe of Sandman (apparently some characters that appear here are taken directly from the central story) towards the eastern culture and folklore. The Dream Hunters tells us the story of a Buddhist monk who lives alone in a temple on the side of a mountain. One day a fox and a badger decide to make a bet: the one who manages to expel the monk from the temple would claim that place as its home. Both will use all the resources at their disposal to deceive the monk and make him leave, either appearing before him as a young princess with false promises, or as a group of menacing monsters. But the monk is much more cunning than he seems and no trickery works with him. In spite of everything, the monk feels sorry for the fox and lets her live near the temple. When she finds out about the deadly threat that hangs over the monk due to a prophecy pronounced by the Three Witches to a powerful feudal lord known as the Onmyoji –in which they warned him that he could not live unless the monk found death–, she does not hesitate to do her best to help the monk, as she had fallen in love with him. And this is when we enter the kingdom of Morpheus considering the Onmyoji's plan is using dreams to assassinate the monk.
On this occasion, the format (illustrated story) has worked for me much better than in my previous experience with the story of Sandman: Death ; besides having enjoyed the general plot and the setting in Japan, I loved the graphic work of the Japanese illustrator, as I mentioned before. It has been a story that reminded me of the animated films from Studio Ghibli, and I think it was easy for me to relate with the narrative for that very reason. Even if you are not a fan of Sandman, I highly recommended this book: not so much for the story itself, but for the beauty of this illustrated edition.
November 22, 2021
I don't really like Neil Gaiman.
I really don't like graphic novels.
I do like fables though.
This was okay. 2.5 /5
The beginning was good, the ending was good. The whole middle was not really my thing. Some of the illustrations were fantastic, some were confusing and irrelevant.
It was a book.
I really don't like graphic novels.
I do like fables though.
This was okay. 2.5 /5
The beginning was good, the ending was good. The whole middle was not really my thing. Some of the illustrations were fantastic, some were confusing and irrelevant.
It was a book.
January 10, 2024
The story is entertaining but god damn THE ART IS MAGNIFICENT. I swear i looked at each of them for a whole minute.
July 7, 2013
The Dream Hunters is an absolute beauty. This book is thoroughly satisfying and alluring. Gaiman's prose is exact but rich, and Amano's art is wow, just wow.
The book genuinely felt like an old, old Japanese tale seamlessly embedded in the world of the Dream King. There is one loud message here: that the world of Sandman is vast, boundless and universal. The Dream Hunters is a trademark Gaiman storytelling: simple, elegant and strangely familiar yet enthralling and engaging from the start to the end.
Amano? Is he a god? YES. Oh hell yes. He made this novella an art museum! Before I was only exposed with his Final Fantasy art, and indeed those are fantastic. But this book made me a believer.
To those who still haven't read this book, envy us who did.
The book genuinely felt like an old, old Japanese tale seamlessly embedded in the world of the Dream King. There is one loud message here: that the world of Sandman is vast, boundless and universal. The Dream Hunters is a trademark Gaiman storytelling: simple, elegant and strangely familiar yet enthralling and engaging from the start to the end.
Amano? Is he a god? YES. Oh hell yes. He made this novella an art museum! Before I was only exposed with his Final Fantasy art, and indeed those are fantastic. But this book made me a believer.
To those who still haven't read this book, envy us who did.
December 10, 2017
Gorgeous artwork. This tale is less a graphic novel and more an illustrated novella. I love this visit to Dream and the world of Sandman mixed with Japanese myth.
March 15, 2016
Yoshitaka Amano's art is beautiful.
September 8, 2020
Beautiful contained story with amazing art.
Onward to the next book!
Onward to the next book!
August 26, 2022
Lo tenía de hace años comprado y esperando en la biblioteca... Después de ver la serie de Sandman he tenido que correr a por él y lo he devorado. Una preciosidad de historia y genial la ilustración del maestro.
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