Yoshitaka Amano
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
artist
. He began his career as an animator and has become known for his illustrations for the anime
Vampire Hunter D
and for his character designs, image illustrations and title logo designs for the Final Fantasy
video game series developed by Square Enix
(formerly Square
). His influences include Western comic books, art nouveau
, and Japanese woodblock prints. He has won awards for his work, including the 1999 Bram Stoker Award for his collaboration with Neil Gaiman
, Sandman: The Dream Hunters
. In early 2010, he established Studio Devaloka, a film production company.
, Japan
. As a young adolescent, he was fascinated with drawing. In 1967, he began working in the animation department of Tatsunoko Productions, where he was introduced to the early Japanese anime
movement. His first paid project was for the Speed Racer
anime franchise. He was a character designer for anime shows such as Time Bokan
, Gatchaman, Tekkaman
, and Honey Bee.
In the 1960s, Amano was exposed to Western art styles through comic books, which he claims among his artistic roots. He has cited Neal Adams
as his favorite comic book artist, noting that he would often purchase used comics based on Adams's cover artwork, only to be disappointed that the interior artist was different. Amano was also fascinated by the art styles of psychedelic art and pop art of the West, particularly the work of American Pop artist Peter Max
. In the 1970s, Amano studied the artworks of the late 19th century and early 20th century European movement of Art Nouveau
, as well as the ancient Japanese hand woodblock printing work of Ukiyo-e
.
Amano remained at Tatsunoko Productions until 1982.
In 1983, he illustrated the novel Demon City Shinjuku
and the first in Hideyuki Kikuchi
's Vampire Hunter D
novel series. He also worked as a character designer on the 1985 movie adaptation of Vampire Hunter D, which was one of the first anime movies to be released outside of Japan. In interviews, however, Amano has stated that he was not pleased with the final product of the movie.
His illustrations begin to be published in collections such as Maten in 1984.
(now known as Square Enix
) to work on a role-playing video game
for the Nintendo Entertainment System
: Final Fantasy
. Amano produced conceptual design pieces for the game in both traditional and computer designed artwork. At this time, he also worked for another video game company, Kure Software Koubou
, producing box cover illustrations as well as some character designs. This work included designs for Kure's First Queen
series.
Following Final Fantasy VI
in 1994, he stepped down as the main character, image, and graphic designer of the series. He continued to provide promotional and character artwork for the following games and to design their title logos.
In 2006, Hironobu Sakaguchi
, the former designer and creator of the Final Fantasy series, recruited Amano and composer Nobuo Uematsu
to work on video games at Mistwalker
.
, called "Hiten", was held in 1989 at Yurakucho Mullion in Tokyo
, Japan. In 1990, he began to work as an artist and set designer for stage theater. His first work for theater was Tamasaburo Bando
's Nayotake. He also held further exhibitions and became well-known for his printing works.
Beginning in 1995 with his work at the Biennale d'Orléans in France
, he received increased recognition outside of Japan. Further international exhibitions followed, including the 1996 "Hero" at the Angel Orensanz Foundation
and the 1997 workshop and exhibition "Think Like Amano".
In 1998, Amano appeared as Hiroshi in the 1998 movie New Rose Hotel
, loosely based on the William Gibson
short story of the same name.
's Sandman: The Dream Hunters
, which won several awards and was nominated for a Hugo Award
. In 2001, Greg Rucka
and Amano collaborated on another comic book tale, Elektra and Wolverine: The Redeemer
. His character designs were used in another Vampire Hunter D movie entitled Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
. In 2006, the first volume of his HERO series was released by Boom! Studios
.
He illustrated three album covers for the Japanese power metal band Galneryus
: The Flag of Punishment (2003), Advance to the Fall (2005), and Beyond the End of Despair (2006).
In 2008, Amano created an illustrated adaptation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
's The Magic Flute
, published by Radical Comics
. He also collaborated with Christopher "mink" Morrison of Quentin Tarantino
's A Band Apart
production company, providing illustrations for the novel Shinjuku and two other projects that have yet to be announced. He was the character designer for the 2009 Jungle Emperor (Kimba the White Lion
) TV special, directed by Gorō Taniguchi
, to commemorate both the 50th anniversary of Fuji Television
and the 80th anniversary of Osamu Tezuka
's birth.
" it was announced that Amano had established a film production company, Studio Devaloka, and would be directing a 3D
anime titled Zan, with additional projects to be announced in the future. On December 15, 2010, the official website for the film, now titled Deva Zan, was unveiled, along with information concerning an upcoming press conference, to be held on December 21, 2010. The roughly ten-minute-long conference revealed details about the project, including staff, as well as a short trailer for the film, which stylistically emulates the look of Amano's paintings.
Select Japanese editions of foreign works
Foreign works
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
. He began his career as an animator and has become known for his illustrations for the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
Vampire Hunter D
Vampire Hunter D
is a series of Japanese novels written by Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano since 1983.To date, twenty-two novels have been published in the main series, with some novels comprising as many as four volumes...
and for his character designs, image illustrations and title logo designs for the Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy
is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and is developed and owned by Square Enix . The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and science-fantasy role-playing video games , but includes motion pictures, anime, printed media, and other merchandise...
video game series developed by Square Enix
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
(formerly Square
Square Co.
was a Japanese video game company founded in September 1983 by Masafumi Miyamoto. It merged with Enix in 2003 and became part of Square Enix...
). His influences include Western comic books, art nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
, and Japanese woodblock prints. He has won awards for his work, including the 1999 Bram Stoker Award for his collaboration with Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, Sandman: The Dream Hunters
Sandman: The Dream Hunters
"The Sandman: The Dream Hunters" is a novella by English author Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano of Final Fantasy fame. The story is tangential to The Sandman comic book series, and can be read without prior knowledge of the main sequence. It won the Bram Stoker Award for Best...
. In early 2010, he established Studio Devaloka, a film production company.
Biography
Animation
Amano was born in ShizuokaShizuoka, Shizuoka
is the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and the prefecture's second-largest city in terms of both population and area. It became one of Japan's 19 "designated cities" in 2005.-Geography:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. As a young adolescent, he was fascinated with drawing. In 1967, he began working in the animation department of Tatsunoko Productions, where he was introduced to the early Japanese anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
movement. His first paid project was for the Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Speed Racer is an English adaptation name of the Japanese manga and anime, which centered on automobile racing. Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print form in Shueisha's 1958 Shōnen Book, and was released in tankōbon book form by Sun Wide Comics, re-released in Japan by Fusosha...
anime franchise. He was a character designer for anime shows such as Time Bokan
Time Bokan
is a Japanese anime series first aired on Fuji TV from October 4, 1975 to December 25, 1976 throughout Japan every Saturday at 6:30pm, with a total of 61 30-minute episodes. It was produced by Tatsunoko Productions, who later produced a number of spinoff programs as part of the "Time Bokan...
, Gatchaman, Tekkaman
Tekkaman: The Space Knight
is an anime produced by Tatsunoko Productions in 1975. A short-lived English adaptation aired in the US in 1984.Two decades later, it was followed by the much more popular Tekkaman Blade, which was dubbed in the U.S. by Saban as Teknoman....
, and Honey Bee.
In the 1960s, Amano was exposed to Western art styles through comic books, which he claims among his artistic roots. He has cited Neal Adams
Neal Adams
Neal Adams is an American comic book and commercial artist known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who...
as his favorite comic book artist, noting that he would often purchase used comics based on Adams's cover artwork, only to be disappointed that the interior artist was different. Amano was also fascinated by the art styles of psychedelic art and pop art of the West, particularly the work of American Pop artist Peter Max
Peter Max
Peter Max is a German-born Jewish American artist. At first, works in this style appeared on posters and were seen on the walls of college dorms all across America. Max then became fascinated with new printing techniques that allowed for four-color reproduction on product merchandise...
. In the 1970s, Amano studied the artworks of the late 19th century and early 20th century European movement of Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
, as well as the ancient Japanese hand woodblock printing work of Ukiyo-e
Ukiyo-e
' is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries, featuring motifs of landscapes, tales from history, the theatre, and pleasure quarters...
.
Amano remained at Tatsunoko Productions until 1982.
Early fantasy works
In the early 1980s, Amano concentrated on illustrations for science fiction and fantasy works. Combined with the influence of his prior experience in animation, this focus resulted in a personal style influenced by both modern surrealism and realism.In 1983, he illustrated the novel Demon City Shinjuku
Demon City Shinjuku
is a novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi that was adapted into an original animated video in 1988, directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. The title has also been translated as Hell City Shinjuku and Monster City....
and the first in Hideyuki Kikuchi
Hideyuki Kikuchi
is a Japanese author famous for his horror novels. His most famous works including the Vampire Hunter D series, Darkside Blues and Wicked City. He has been compared to both Stephen King and H. P. Lovecraft.-Biography:...
's Vampire Hunter D
Vampire Hunter D
is a series of Japanese novels written by Hideyuki Kikuchi and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano since 1983.To date, twenty-two novels have been published in the main series, with some novels comprising as many as four volumes...
novel series. He also worked as a character designer on the 1985 movie adaptation of Vampire Hunter D, which was one of the first anime movies to be released outside of Japan. In interviews, however, Amano has stated that he was not pleased with the final product of the movie.
His illustrations begin to be published in collections such as Maten in 1984.
Video games
In 1987, Amano joined SquareSquare Co.
was a Japanese video game company founded in September 1983 by Masafumi Miyamoto. It merged with Enix in 2003 and became part of Square Enix...
(now known as Square Enix
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
) to work on a role-playing video game
Role-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
for the Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
: Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy
is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and is developed and owned by Square Enix . The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and science-fantasy role-playing video games , but includes motion pictures, anime, printed media, and other merchandise...
. Amano produced conceptual design pieces for the game in both traditional and computer designed artwork. At this time, he also worked for another video game company, Kure Software Koubou
Kure Software Koubou
Kure Software Koubou , or KSK, is a Japanese game development company founded in 1985 that creates games for many platforms, but focusing mostly on home computers...
, producing box cover illustrations as well as some character designs. This work included designs for Kure's First Queen
First Queen
is a real-time strategy-action RPG video game developed by Kure Software Koubou. It was first released on the Sharp X68000 and NEC PC-9801 computer platforms in Japan in 1988, and then subsequently released on the Super Famicom as First Queen: Ornic Senki in 1994 and Microsoft Windows as First...
series.
Following Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI
is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square , released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as a part of the Final Fantasy series. Set in a fantasy world with a technology level equivalent to that of the Second Industrial Revolution, the game's story focuses on a...
in 1994, he stepped down as the main character, image, and graphic designer of the series. He continued to provide promotional and character artwork for the following games and to design their title logos.
In 2006, Hironobu Sakaguchi
Hironobu Sakaguchi
is a Japanese game designer, game director and game producer. He is world famous as the creator of the Final Fantasy series, and has had a long career in gaming with over 100 million units of video games sold worldwide...
, the former designer and creator of the Final Fantasy series, recruited Amano and composer Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu
is a Japanese video game composer, best known for scoring the majority of titles in the Final Fantasy series. He is considered as one of the most famous and respected composers in the video game community...
to work on video games at Mistwalker
Mistwalker
is a Japanese video game development studio founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi in 2004, with the financial backing of Microsoft. The logo and name were trademarked in 2001...
.
Branching out
Amano's first exhibitionArt exhibition
Art exhibitions are traditionally the space in which art objects meet an audience. The exhibit is universally understood to be for some temporary period unless, as is rarely true, it is stated to be a "permanent exhibition". In American English, they may be called "exhibit", "exposition" or...
, called "Hiten", was held in 1989 at Yurakucho Mullion in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan. In 1990, he began to work as an artist and set designer for stage theater. His first work for theater was Tamasaburo Bando
Bando Tamasaburo V
is a Kabuki actor, and the most popular and celebrated onnagata currently on stage. He has also acted in a handful of films....
's Nayotake. He also held further exhibitions and became well-known for his printing works.
Beginning in 1995 with his work at the Biennale d'Orléans in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, he received increased recognition outside of Japan. Further international exhibitions followed, including the 1996 "Hero" at the Angel Orensanz Foundation
Angel Orensanz Center
The Angel Orensanz Center is located at 172 Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side of New York City, New York...
and the 1997 workshop and exhibition "Think Like Amano".
In 1998, Amano appeared as Hiroshi in the 1998 movie New Rose Hotel
New Rose Hotel (1998 film)
New Rose Hotel is a 1998 Cyberpunk film by director Abel Ferrara, based on a William Gibson story of the same name, starring Christopher Walken, Willem Dafoe and Asia Argento.-Plot synopsis:...
, loosely based on the William Gibson
William Gibson
William Gibson is an American-Canadian science fiction author.William Gibson may also refer to:-Association football:*Will Gibson , Scottish footballer...
short story of the same name.
Freelancing
In 2000, Amano illustrated Neil GaimanNeil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's Sandman: The Dream Hunters
Sandman: The Dream Hunters
"The Sandman: The Dream Hunters" is a novella by English author Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano of Final Fantasy fame. The story is tangential to The Sandman comic book series, and can be read without prior knowledge of the main sequence. It won the Bram Stoker Award for Best...
, which won several awards and was nominated for a Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
. In 2001, Greg Rucka
Greg Rucka
Gregory "Greg" Rucka is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.-Career:Rucka's writing career...
and Amano collaborated on another comic book tale, Elektra and Wolverine: The Redeemer
Elektra and Wolverine: The Redeemer
Elektra and Wolverine: The Redeemer is a trilogy of graphic novels written by Greg Rucka, illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano and published by Marvel. It was also released as a Hardcover version with all three episodes in one book...
. His character designs were used in another Vampire Hunter D movie entitled Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
is a 2000 anime film written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. The film is based on Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D novels, D - Demon Deathchase.The film began production in 1997 and was completed with the intention of being shown in American theaters...
. In 2006, the first volume of his HERO series was released by Boom! Studios
Boom! Studios
BOOM! Studios is an American comic book company headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States. The "BOOM!" in BOOM! Studios is always capitalized by the company.-History:BOOM! was founded June 22, 2005 with Zombie Tales #1....
.
He illustrated three album covers for the Japanese power metal band Galneryus
Galneryus
Galneryus is a power/neo-classical metal band from Osaka, Japan that formed in 2001.- 2001–2002: Formation and indie days :Galneryus was formed in 2001 by guitarist Syu along with vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi...
: The Flag of Punishment (2003), Advance to the Fall (2005), and Beyond the End of Despair (2006).
In 2008, Amano created an illustrated adaptation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
's The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue....
, published by Radical Comics
Radical Comics
Radical Comics is an American comic book and graphic novel publisher and developer of related media with offices in Los Angeles and London.- History :...
. He also collaborated with Christopher "mink" Morrison of Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
's A Band Apart
A Band Apart
A Band Apart Films was a production company created by Quentin Tarantino and Lawrence Bender, which was active from 1991 to about 2006. Its name is a play on the French New Wave classic, Bande à part by filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, whose work was highly influential on the work of the company's members...
production company, providing illustrations for the novel Shinjuku and two other projects that have yet to be announced. He was the character designer for the 2009 Jungle Emperor (Kimba the White Lion
Kimba the White Lion
, known in the United States as Kimba the White Lion, is an anime series from the 1960s. Created by Osamu Tezuka and based on his manga of the same title which began publication in 1950, it was the first color animated television series created in Japan. The manga was first published in serialized...
) TV special, directed by Gorō Taniguchi
Goro Taniguchi
is a Japanese anime director, writer, producer and storyboard artist, who is among Sunrise's noted new directors.-TV anime:*Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh...
, to commemorate both the 50th anniversary of Fuji Television
Fuji Television
is a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
and the 80th anniversary of Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
's birth.
Studio Devaloka
In 2010, following a small solo art exhibition tour titled "DevalokaDevaloka
In Indian religions, a devaloka or deva loka is a plane of existence where gods and devas exist. The deva lokas are usually described as places of eternal light and goodness, similar to the concept of Heaven...
" it was announced that Amano had established a film production company, Studio Devaloka, and would be directing a 3D
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
anime titled Zan, with additional projects to be announced in the future. On December 15, 2010, the official website for the film, now titled Deva Zan, was unveiled, along with information concerning an upcoming press conference, to be held on December 21, 2010. The roughly ten-minute-long conference revealed details about the project, including staff, as well as a short trailer for the film, which stylistically emulates the look of Amano's paintings.
Animation
- Science Ninja Team GatchamanScience Ninja Team Gatchamanis a 5-member superhero team that is composed of the main characters in several Japanese anime created by Tatsuo Yoshida and originally produced in Japan by Tatsunoko Productions and later adapted into several English-language versions...
(1972) - Neo-Human Casshern (1973)
- Hurricane Polymer (1974)
- New Honeybee HutchNew Honeybee Hutchis an anime cartoon series and a sequel to The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee. In this new series Hutch is struggling with married life.-Cast:*Hutch: Yoko Kuri*Queen Mama: Haruko Kitahama*Aya: Yoshiko Yamamoto*Tenten: Junko Mori...
(1974) - Time BokanTime Bokanis a Japanese anime series first aired on Fuji TV from October 4, 1975 to December 25, 1976 throughout Japan every Saturday at 6:30pm, with a total of 61 30-minute episodes. It was produced by Tatsunoko Productions, who later produced a number of spinoff programs as part of the "Time Bokan...
(1975) - Tekkaman: The Space KnightTekkaman: The Space Knightis an anime produced by Tatsunoko Productions in 1975. A short-lived English adaptation aired in the US in 1984.Two decades later, it was followed by the much more popular Tekkaman Blade, which was dubbed in the U.S. by Saban as Teknoman....
(1975) - Gowappā 5 GodamGowappa 5 Godamis an anime series aired in 1976. There were 36 episodes. It is also referred to as Gowapper 5 Gundam, Godam, Go Wapper 5 Go Dam, Gowappa 5 Gordam.The series has also been aired on Italian television under the title Godam.-Outline:...
(1976) - Akū Daisakusen Srungle (1983)
- Genesis Climber MOSPEADAGenesis Climber Mospeadais an anime science fiction series created by Shinji Aramaki and Hideki Kakinuma. The 25-episode television series ran from late 1983 to early 1984 in Japan...
(1983) - Okawari Boy Starzan-S (1984)
- Sei Jūshi BismarckSei Jushi BismarckBismark, full title as is a Japanese animated television series created by Studio Pierrot.The series aired on Nippon Television from October 7, 1984 to September 25, 1985, totaling 51 episodes. In 1986, the rights to Bismark were sold to the United States company World Events Productions...
(1984) - Angel's EggAngel's Eggis a Japanese anime feature film produced by Tokuma Shoten in 1985. A collaboration between popular artist Yoshitaka Amano and director Mamoru Oshii, it incorporates surrealistic and existentialist qualities...
(1985) - Vampire Hunter DVampire Hunter D (1985 film)Vampire Hunter D - one of the first anime films released outside of Japan, remains a cult classic in the English-speaking world...
(1985) - Amon SagaAmon Sagais an anime film released in 1986. The character and conceptual art was contributed by Yoshitaka Amano.-World:The world in Amon Saga is a medieval one, filled with bizarre creatures, such as the giant turtle that holds the Valhiss fortress on its back. The world is populated by both human and...
(1986) - Twilight of the CockroachesTwilight of the Cockroachesis a 1987 anime/live-action film written and directed by Hiroaki Yoshida that combines live-action footage with animation. The plot concerns a society of cockroaches who live peacefully in the apartment of a bachelor named Seito until a woman moves in and the humans begin to exterminate the...
(1987) - 1001 Nights (1998, Concert video directed by Mike Smith for music by David NewmanDavid Newman (composer)David Louis Newman is an American composer and conductor known particularly for his film scores. In a career spanning nearly forty years, he has composed music for nearly 100 feature films.-Life and career:...
, based on Amano's Princess Budou illustrations) - Ayakashi (2006)
- Fantascope ~Tylostoma~(2006)
- Bird's Song (2007)
- Ten Nights of Dreams (2007)
- Vegetable Fairies: N.Y. SaladVegetable Fairies: N.Y. Saladis an anime series.It is based on N.Y.SALAD written by Yoshitaka Amano. It depicts lives of vegetable fairies at a kitchen in N. Y.It was broadcasted on NHK Educational TV as first series and second series...
(2007) - Jungle EmperorKimba the White Lion, known in the United States as Kimba the White Lion, is an anime series from the 1960s. Created by Osamu Tezuka and based on his manga of the same title which began publication in 1950, it was the first color animated television series created in Japan. The manga was first published in serialized...
(2009) - Deva Zan (2012)
Illustrations
Select domestic Japanese works- Vampire Hunter D (1983-ongoing)
- Guin SagaGuin Sagais the title of a best-selling heroic fantasy novel series by the Japanese author Kaoru Kurimoto, in continuous publication since 1979. A record 100 volumes were originally planned, but the final total stands at 130 volumes, the last four published posthumously, with 21 side-story novels...
(1984–1997) - The Heroic Legend of ArslanThe Heroic Legend of Arslanis the title of a Japanese fantasy novel series. The author, Yoshiki Tanaka, started writing Arslan in 1986 and is still writing it as of 2008, with the current number of books at 13 novels and one side story in the official guidebook Arslan senki tokuhon...
(1986–1999) - SohryudenSohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kingsis a set of novels based loosely on Chinese mythology.It was written by Yoshiki Tanaka in collaboration with Japanese illustrator Yoshitaka Amano and manga artist group Clamp . It is written with a humorous and satirical tone...
(1987-ongoing) - Rampo Edogawa Mystery Collection (1987–1989)
- Tekiha Kaizoku SeriesChohei Kanbayashiis a Japanese science fiction writer.Born in Niigata, Kambayashi graduated Nagaoka National College of Technology. He debuted in 1979 with the short story "Dance with a Fox", which was an honorable mention of the 5th Hayakawa SF Contest. He quickly became fan favorite, and during 1980s and 1990s,...
- Shinsetsu Taikō-kiFutaro Yamadawas the pen name of , a Japanese author.He was born in Yabu, Hyogo.In 1947, he wrote a mystery novel and was awarded a prize by a novel magazine .He was discovered by Edogawa Rampo and became a novelist....
- Chimera-ho SeriesBaku Yumemakurais a Japanese science fiction and adventure writer. He is best known for writing Jōgen no Tsuki wo Taberu Shishi , which won both the Seiun Award and the Nihon SF Taisho Award...
- GaroudenGaroudenis a series of Japanese martial arts novels by Baku Yumemakura. They have been adapted as a feature film, a manga by Keisuke Itagaki , and two video games....
- The Tale of GenjiThe Tale of Genjiis a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, around the peak of the Heian period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, the first psychological novel or the first novel still to be...
(1997) - GalneryusGalneryusGalneryus is a power/neo-classical metal band from Osaka, Japan that formed in 2001.- 2001–2002: Formation and indie days :Galneryus was formed in 2001 by guitarist Syu along with vocalist Masahiro "Yama-B" Yamaguchi...
– Album art - Sword World RPGSword World RPGis a very popular Japanese role-playing game created by Group SNE. 10 million copies of the related books including rulebooks, novels and replays have been sold....
– Assorted artwork - Mateki: The Magic FluteThe Magic FluteThe Magic Flute is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue....
- Illustrated Blues (2010)
Select Japanese editions of foreign works
- A Cup of Magic!The Magical Monarch of MoThe Surprising Adventures of the Magical Monarch of Mo and His People is the first full-length children's fantasy book by L. Frank Baum...
(1981) - The Prince in the Scarlet Robe, CorumCorum Jhaelen IrseiCorum Jhaelen Irsei is the name of a fictional fantasy hero in a series of two trilogies written by author Michael Moorcock.- Plot summary :...
(1982) - Erekosë SagaErekosëMany of Michael Moorcock's heroes are aspects of one all-encompassing hero, the Eternal Champion. Erekosë is the title character, so to speak, as the fantasy novel The Eternal Champion and its sequels feature him. He is a unique aspect of the Champion, in that he can remember all of his previous...
(1983) - Elric SagaElric of MelnibonéElric of Melniboné is a fictional character created by Michael Moorcock, and the antihero of a series of sword and sorcery stories centering in an alternate Earth. The proper name and title of the character is Elric VIII, 428th Emperor of Melniboné...
(1984) - Dream WeaverJane YolenJane Hyatt Yolen is an American author and editor of almost 300 books. These include folklore, fantasy, science fiction, and children's books...
(1985) - The Chronicles of Castle Brass (1988)
- Hoka SeriesGordon R. DicksonGordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author.- Biography :Dickson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1923. After the death of his father, he moved with his mother to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1937...
- Seven Brothers (2006)
Foreign works
- Sandman: The Dream HuntersSandman: The Dream Hunters"The Sandman: The Dream Hunters" is a novella by English author Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano of Final Fantasy fame. The story is tangential to The Sandman comic book series, and can be read without prior knowledge of the main sequence. It won the Bram Stoker Award for Best...
(1999) - Elektra and Wolverine: The RedeemerElektra and Wolverine: The RedeemerElektra and Wolverine: The Redeemer is a trilogy of graphic novels written by Greg Rucka, illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano and published by Marvel. It was also released as a Hardcover version with all three episodes in one book...
(2002) - Yoshitaka Amano's HERO (2006-ongoing)
- Shinjuku (2010)
Art books
- Maten / Evil Universe (1984)
- Genmukyu / Castle of Illusions (1986) (ISBN 4-403-01029-6)
- Imagine (1987) (ISBN 4-403-01031-8)
- Hiten / Flying Universe: The Art of Yoshitaka Amano (1989) (ISBN 4-257-03229-4
- Dawn (1991) (ISBN 4-87188-135-0
- The Heroic Tales Of Arslan (1991)
- The Illustrations for Tarot Card by Yoshitaka Amano (1992) (ISBN 4-87519-401-3
- Rasenoh / Spiral King (1992) (ISBN 4-19-414749-9)
- Le Roi de la Lune (1992) (ISBN 4-8164-1224-7)
- Mono (art book)|Mono (1993)
- Untitled set of 10 postcards (1993)
- Steps To Heaven (1993)
- Yoshitaka Amano Postcard Selection (1994) (ISBN 4-87188-800-2)
- Japan, Final Fantasy (1994) (ISBN 4-87188-338-8)
- Katen (1994) (ISBN 4-06-206858-3)
- Budōhime / Princess Budou (1996)
- Yousei / Fairies (1996) (ISBN 1-59582-062-0)
- Guin SagaGuin Sagais the title of a best-selling heroic fantasy novel series by the Japanese author Kaoru Kurimoto, in continuous publication since 1979. A record 100 volumes were originally planned, but the final total stands at 130 volumes, the last four published posthumously, with 21 side-story novels...
(1996) (ISBN 4-15-207984-3) - Yoshitaka Amano: Collection of Paintings (1996)
- 1996 (1996)
- Kan'oke / Coffin (1997) (ISBN 1-59582-061-2)
- Think Like Amano (1997)
- Biten (1999)
- Alice Erotica (1999)
- 1001 Nights (1999)
- Märchen (2000)
- Vampire Hunter D (2000) (ISBN 4-257-03606-0)
- POEM (2001)
- Kotatsu I (2002)
- Kotatsu II (2002)
- Guin Saga Chronicle (2002)
- The Sky (2002)
- Kiten (2002)
- Symphony (2002)
- Amano First (2003) (ISBN 4-257-03683-4)
- The Virgin (2004) (ISBN 4-894-52846-0)
Video games
- Final Fantasy IFinal Fantasy (video game)is a fantasy role-playing video game created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, developed and first published in Japan by Square in 1987. It is the first game in Square's Final Fantasy series...
(1987) – Character Designer, Title Logo Designer & Graphic Designer - Final Fantasy IIFinal Fantasy IIis a fantasy role-playing video game developed and published by Square in 1988 for the Family Computer as the second installment of the Final Fantasy series. The game has received numerous enhanced remakes for the WonderSwan Color, the Sony PlayStation, Japanese mobile phones, the Game Boy...
(1988) – Character Designer, Title Logo Designer & Graphic Designer - First QueenFirst Queenis a real-time strategy-action RPG video game developed by Kure Software Koubou. It was first released on the Sharp X68000 and NEC PC-9801 computer platforms in Japan in 1988, and then subsequently released on the Super Famicom as First Queen: Ornic Senki in 1994 and Microsoft Windows as First...
(1988) – Box cover artist - Duel (1989) – Box cover artist
- Duel98 (1989) – Box cover artist
- Final Fantasy IIIFinal Fantasy IIIis a role-playing video game developed and published by Square in for the Family Computer as the third installment in the Final Fantasy series. It is the first numbered Final Fantasy game to feature the job-change system....
(1990) – Character Designer & Title Logo Designer - First Queen 2 (1990) – Box cover artist
- Final Fantasy IVFinal Fantasy IVis a role-playing video game developed and published by Square in 1991 as a part of the Final Fantasy series. The game was originally released for the Super Famicom in Japan and has since then been rereleased for many other platforms with varying modifications. An enhanced remake with 3D graphics...
(1991) – Character Designer, Image Designer & Title Logo Designer - Final Fantasy VFinal Fantasy Vis a medieval-fantasy role-playing video game developed and published by Square in 1992 as a part of the Final Fantasy series. The game first appeared only in Japan on Nintendo's Super Famicom . It has been ported with minor differences to Sony's PlayStation and Nintendo's Game Boy Advance...
(1992) – Character Designer, Image Designer & Title Logo Designer - Kawanakajima Ibunroku (1992) – Box cover artist
- First Queen 3 (1993) – Box cover artist
- Final Fantasy VIFinal Fantasy VIis a role-playing video game developed and published by Square , released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as a part of the Final Fantasy series. Set in a fantasy world with a technology level equivalent to that of the Second Industrial Revolution, the game's story focuses on a...
(1994) – Character Designer, Image Designer & Title Logo Designer - Front MissionFront Missionis a collection of video games and related media produced by Square, now Square Enix. The series was created by Toshiro Tsuchida and developed by G-Craft, a studio that was later absorbed by Square and is now with Square Enix as Product Development Division-6...
(1995) – Character Designer - Maten Densetsu (1995) – Character Designer
- Front Mission: Gun HazardFront Mission: Gun Hazardis a side-scrolling shooter video game developed by Omiya Soft and published by Square Co., Ltd., and was released in Japan on February 23, 1996 for the Nintendo Super Famicom game console. Front Mission: Gun Hazard is the first spin-off entry and the second entry overall in the Front Mission series...
(1996) – Character Designer - Final Fantasy VIIFinal Fantasy VIIis a role-playing video game developed by Square and published by Sony Computer Entertainment as the seventh installment in the Final Fantasy series. It was originally released in 1997 for the Sony PlayStation and was re-released in 1998 for Microsoft Windows-based personal computers and in 2009...
(1997) – Promotional Artwork, Image Illustrator, Title Logo Designer & Character Artwork - Kartia: The Word of FateKartia: The Word of FateKartia: The Word of Fate, known as Legend of Kartia in Europe and in Japan, is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Atlus for Sony's PlayStation video game console in 1998...
(1998) – Art Designer - Final Fantasy VIIIFinal Fantasy VIIIis a role-playing video game released for the PlayStation in 1999 and for Windows-based personal computers in 2000. It was developed and published by Square as the Final Fantasy series' eighth title, removing magic point-based spell-casting and the first title to consistently use realistically...
(1999) – Promotional Artwork, Image Illustrator, Title Logo Designer & Character Artwork - Final Fantasy IXFinal Fantasy IXis a role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation video game console. It is the ninth title in the Final Fantasy series. The game introduced new features to the series like the 'Active Time Event', 'Mognet' and a unique equipment and skill system.Final Fantasy IXs...
(2000) – Character Illustrations & Original Character Designer - El Dorado Gate (2000–2001) – Creative Director & Additional Design
- Final Fantasy XFinal Fantasy Xis a role-playing video game developed and published by Square as the tenth title in the Final Fantasy series. It was released in 2001 for Sony's PlayStation 2, and will be re-released for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in 2012...
(2001) – Promotional Artwork, Image Illustrations, Title Logo Designer & Character Artwork - Final Fantasy X-2Final Fantasy X-2is a console role-playing game developed and published by Square for Sony's PlayStation 2. It was released in 2003 and is the sequel to the best-selling 2001 game Final Fantasy X...
(2001) – Promotional Artwork, Title Logo Designer & Image Illustrator - Final Fantasy XIFinal Fantasy XI, also known as Final Fantasy XI Online, is a MMORPG developed and published by Square as part of the Final Fantasy series. It was released in Japan on Sony's PlayStation 2 on May 16, 2002, and was released for Microsoft's Windows-based personal computers in November 2002...
(2002) – Promotional Artwork, Title Logo Designer & Image Illustrator - Final Fantasy XIIFinal Fantasy XIIis a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. Released in 2006, it is the twelfth title in the Final Fantasy series and the last in the series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation platform...
(2006) – Promotional Artwork, Title Logo Designer & Image Illustrator - Lord of VermilionLord of Vermilionis an arcade-based fantasy collectible card game developed by Think Garage and distributed by Square Enix in which players control combat cards on an arcade play surface. The objective of the game is to destroy the enemy team's Arcane Stones and eliminate their servants in order to win the game...
(2008) – Guest Card Illustrator - Dissidia: Final FantasyDissidia: Final Fantasyis an action RPG/fighting game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation Portable as part of the campaign of the Final Fantasy series 20th anniversary. Information on the game was first released during the "Square Enix Party" event of May 2008...
(2008) – Title Logo Designer & Image Illustrator - Lord of Vermilion II (2009) – Guest Card Illustrator
- Final Fantasy XIIIFinal Fantasy XIIIis a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in North America and PAL regions, it is the thirteenth major installment in the Final Fantasy series...
(2010) – Promotional Artwork, Title Logo Designer & Image Illustrator - Final Fantasy XIV Online (2010) – Title Logo Designer
- Lord of ArcanaLord of Arcanais an action game for the PlayStation Portable, developed by Access Games and published by Square Enix.- Gameplay :Lord of Arcana is an action game that allows up to four players to fight monsters and demons some of which make cameo appearances from other Square Enix games.The gameplay is very...
(2010) – Guest Monster Designer - Dissidia 012 Final FantasyDissidia 012 Final Fantasyis a 2011 fighting game published by Square Enix for the PlayStation Portable as part of the Final Fantasy series. It was developed by the company's 1st Production Department...
(2011) – Title Logo Designer & Image Illustrator - Final Fantasy Type-0 (2011) – Promotional Artwork, Title Logo Designer & Image Illustrator
- Final Fantasy XIII-2Final Fantasy XIII-2is an upcoming console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is being produced by Square Enix's 1st Production Department...
(2011) - Title Logo Designer - Final Fantasy Versus XIIIFinal Fantasy Versus XIIIis an upcoming action role-playing game published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and currently being developed by the company's 1st Production Department. Alongside Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, and Final Fantasy Type-0, the game is a part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final...
(forthcoming) – Promotional Artwork, Title Logo Designer & Image Illustrator
External links
- Yoshitaka Amano's Official Blog (Japanese)
- Yoshitaka Amano Museum (Japanese)
- Deva Zan Official website
- Amano's World – The Art of Yoshitaka Amano (English/Link is Down)
- Yoshitaka Amano Gallery (English)