Before diving into Volume 9 specifically, it is important to understand the context of the series. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, translated "How to Draw Manga" books were the primary gateway for Western artists to learn Japanese-style illustration. Unlike Western comic art books, which often focused on anatomy and dynamic posing, these Japanese imports offered a deep dive into the specific tools, screentone application, and stylistic nuances of the medium.