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When A Song of Ice and Fire, the worldwide-known fantasy saga written by George R. R. Martin adapted in the HBO’s TV series Game of Thrones, was translated in Japan, publisher Hakayawa commissioned to the renown artist Noriko Meguro to draw some original manga-style artworks for the covers. The artist, as opposite as what HBO casting director did, took inspiration from what was actually written in the book, as most of the characters actually look like they’re described by the author: same eyes, hair & skin color, as well as proper face and body shapes. Not to mention the fact that they’re all looking really cool.
The choice of respecting the physical features and overall appearance of the characters is expecially important in A Song of Ice and Fire, considering that the main plot is strictly related to the inheritance of their somatic traits. Chances are that these drawings will be appreciated by most of the fans who turned their noses against all the fancy wigs (Melisandre), oxygenated hairs (Cersei, Daenerys) and distorted physiognomies (Jon Snow, Salladhor Saan, Asha Greyjoy) depicted in the TV series.
What do you think about them?
Jon Snow
Even at age fourteen, Jon is said to have more Stark-like features than any of his half-brothers. Jon has a lean build, with dark brown hair and grey eyes so dark they border on black. He is graceful and quick. Tyrion Lannister notes that Jon has the traditional Stark face in everything but name—long, solemn and guarded—a face that gives nothing away. He remarks to himself that whoever Jon’s mother was, she left little of herself in her son’s appearance. Arya Stark is said to resemble Jon the most of the Stark children. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
Japanese edition
TV Series
Arya Stark
Arya’s appearance is more Stark than Tully, with a long face, grey eyes, and brown hair. She is skinny and athletic. At the start of the story, she is generally regarded as plain, as exemplified by her nickname “Arya Horseface”, and often mistaken for a boy. However, there are instances of her being called pretty, compared to the beautiful Lyanna, and catching the eye of men later in the books. In Braavos the kindly man says she has a pretty face. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
Japanese edition
TV Series
Sansa Stark
Sansa is traditionally beautiful, taking after her mother’s family (the Tullys) with her high cheekbones, vivid blue eyes and thick auburn hair. She is eleven years old at the start of the series. As she has grown up, her figure has been described as tall, graceful and womanly. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
Japanese Edition
TV Series
Bran Stark
Bran favours his mother’s side in appearance, having the thick auburn hair and deep blue eyes of the Tullys. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
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Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys is a young woman in her early teens. She is short of stature and very beautiful, with the silver-blonde hair and purple eyes for which House Targaryen has always been known. Dany is said to bear a certain physical resemblance to Naerys Targaryen. By A Dance with Dragons rumours of Daenerys’s striking beauty are spreading far and wide. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
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TV Series
Cersei Lannister
Cersei is a strikingly beautiful woman with classic Lannister looks: blonde hair, brilliant green eyes, fair skin, and a slender, graceful figure. However, time and motherhood are beginning to take their toll on her body, and as of A Feast for Crows she has begun to gain weight as a result of alcohol abuse. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
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TV Series
Jaimie Lannister
Jaime has the quintessential Lannister look, with bright green eyes and golden hair. He is considered to be extremely handsome, his tall frame complemented with comely features and “a smile that cut like a knife”; Jon Snow thinks to himself that Jaime is “what a king should look like”. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
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TV Series
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion is a dwarf, with stubby legs, a jutting forehead, mismatched eyes of green and black, and a mixture of pale blond and black hair. His unique stare has been said to make most people uncomfortable, which Tyrion tries to use to his advantage. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
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Samwell Tarly
Samwell is very fat, with dark hair, pale eyes, and a large moon-shaped face. Jon Snow originally estimates Samwell to weigh 20 stone (127 kg/280 lbs). Samwell is fond of music and songs, and prefers books over weapons and soft fabrics over armor. He is also a craven, afraid of blood and violence. Although fat, timid, and unsure of himself, he is intelligent and thoughtful. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
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Margaery Tyrell
Margaery has thick, softly curling brown hair, large brown eyes, unblemished skin and a slender yet shapely figure. Sansa Stark and Cersei Lannister note the similarities in appearance to her brother Loras. Margaery is considered pretty by Jaime Lannister. While observing her, Cersei admits to herself that Margaery is pretty enough but thinks most of that is youth. Cersei thinks that only a fool would ever claim Margaery was more beautiful than her. (A Wiki of Ice and Fire)
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