In fact, Kazu explained that this particular scene of Harry alone preparing to face the Hungarian Horntail was originally a contender for the cover of the fourth book. When I held up the back cover of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to give this compliment to Kazu, he lit up and revealed that this was the illustration that started the trend. I feel that this really captures the feeling of being at one with Harry’s perspective in the books.

I shared with Kazu that I admired his choice to illustrate scenes for the back covers with Harry centered with his back to the viewer. Rowling herself, writing away at her desk in the windows above Zonko’s. Kazu insisted during our live Instagram chat that he didn’t feel like he would get into Hogwarts. Kazu also depicted himself as a kid working for David he is carrying books to the left of Albus Dumbledore. Vice President and Creative Director at Scholastic, David Saylor, is working the cash register at Zonko’s. I can only imagine how truly magical it must be to know that your likeness lives in official Harry Potter artwork.Īlso included in the box set art is publisher Arthur Levine, who is holding up a book in the windows above Honeydukes, and his assistant you can find them below the flying owls. He informed me that everyone included had the opportunity to choose their Hogwarts House for the art. Kazu pointed out his wife Amy and some of his friends in the foreground of the gorgeous art of the Hogwarts Express as it approaches Hogsmeade. Among the recognizable cast of characters, including Draco Malfoy and Luna Lovegood, you can also find people from Kazu’s personal and professional life. Kazu included some Easter eggs in the art wrapping around the box set. Kazu shared some of the secrets behind the artwork with me during our conversation. The cover art is beautiful, unique, and full of Easter eggs and interesting stories.

In 2013, Scholastic released a 15th-anniversary-edition box set of the Harry Potter books with original artwork by Kazu. I recently had the opportunity to interview graphic novel author and illustrator Kazu Kibuishi. Here at MuggleNet, we have been holding exciting live chats over Instagram with members of the cast and crew of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film franchises as well as prominent figures in the wider fandom, such as the Potter Collector. While we’re all staying home to help flatten the curve of COVID-19, there are still ways to stay connected and entertained.

Amulet the collector set kazu kibuishi