Amano: The Complete Prints

by Yoshitaka Amano, Unno Hiroshi

Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano began his career with exceptional design work on fan-favorite anime such as Gatchaman/G-Force and Time Bokan and popular graphic novels Sandman: The Dream Hunters and Wolverine & Elektra: The Redeemer, but it wasn't until he turned his attention to the medium of printmaking that his artistic genius began to flower. Drawing from influences as diverse as Art Nouveau and Art Deco traditions, American comics, Japanese ukiyo-e, and traditional fantasy illustration, Amano's prints capture a breathtaking world -- sometimes whimsical, sometimes luxurious, and sometimes terrifying.

Amano: The Complete Prints showcases hundreds of these captivating works, comprising an impressive, comprehensive look at one of the art world's visionary talents. Art scholar and critic Unno Hiroshi contributes an insightful message on Amano, the genesis of this style, and his place in the panoply of art history. Also included is a brief timeline noting the high points of the artist's career.

Genres: Art, Japan, Nonfiction, Reference, Manga, Japanese Literature, Graphic Novels

292 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

Yoshitaka Amano (Japanese: 天野 喜孝) is a celebrated Japanese visual artist, illustrator, and character designer known for his ethereal style and cross-genre influence in anime, video games, literature, and fine art. He began his career in 1967 at the age of 15 with Tatsunoko Production, where he contributed to iconic anime series such as Speed Racer, Gatchaman, and Tekkaman. In 1982, he became an independent artist, illustrating acclaimed fantasy novels including Vampire Hunter D and The Guin Saga, and later provided character and logo designs for the globally popular Final Fantasy video game franchise, which brought him international recognition.
Amano’s distinctive aesthetic combines intricate linework with vivid colors, drawing on Western comic books, Art Nouveau, Orientalist painters, and traditional Japanese ukiyo-e. He has published numerous art books and illustrated graphic novels, including The Sandman: The Dream Hunters with Neil Gaiman, which won the Bram Stoker Award.
In addition to his work in illustration and design, Amano has contributed to stage and film productions, created album art for musical artists, and exhibited paintings in galleries worldwide. In 2010, he founded Studio Devaloka to develop animated and multimedia projects, including the illustrated novel Deva Zan. With a career spanning over five decades, Amano remains one of Japan’s most influential and visionary contemporary artists.

Reviews

[Michael Sorbello]

One of the most unique and instantly recognizable artists of all time. The man behind the dazzlingly elegant gothic-esque dreamscapes and character designs from Neil Gaiman's Sandman, Vampire Hunter D and the legendary Final Fantasy franchise. This book is a nice collection of many of his famous works featured in books, comics, manga, video games; as well as fanart and original pieces. All of them are stunning.

[Vaidehi]

Nice!!!!!!!!

[Molly]

Looking on for another fantasy artist I stumbled upon this edition of artwork by Yoshitaka Amano, and loved it.

[Adriana]

Full of delicate fantasies as intricate as they are beautiful, The Complete Prints of Yoshitaka Amano is the book for lovers of his art. It contains some of his best work and displays it in a way that lets the reader explore the evolution of his craft.
Also worth a read for the afterword by Hiroshi Unno – which not only talks about how Amano became the excellent artist that he is – but also reads like a comprehensive essay on illustration styles. It’s incredibly informative.

[Kelly]

A fellow artist said he was inspired by Amano's prints, so I tracked down this book and was completely amazed. His prints are beautiful and capture little moments in his imagination that intertwine with other moments. One print feels like it has more than one story behind it. Whenever I hit The Block, I usually pull out this book to flip through.

[Michael Taylor]

Amano became famous for doing character designs for japanese games such as the final fantasy series. He has since went on from that to illustration then big time art shows in New York and all over the world. This collection of prints has a good smorgesboard of his works from all over the spectrum of his career.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

Probably the best Amano book I've seen yet. Some of the images are a tad small but it's a great range of his work. I think it's scarce and expensive now and there have been other overviews since (maybe there are just a bit too many with overlapping contents) but this is bigger than most of the others.

[Christine]

i love, love this book!

[Lauren]

One of the most beautiful things I've ever laid eyes on.

I think I can die happy now.

[Susan]

Favorite artist.

[Jana]

From the artist who did Neil Gaiman's Sandman: The Dream Hunters. Beautiful prints on thick, textured paper with deep colors. Some erotic, some fantastical, some playful. All amazing.

[Kelly Dashiell]

I love this man.

[Pnbn]

امانو من رسامي المفضلين فشهادتي مجروحة فيه، لكن حتى لو اختلف الناس معي إلا أنه يستحيل عليا قبول وضعه خارج أحسن 10 فنانيين معاصرين ومن أكثرهم تميزا، لو ميز نفسه خارج فئات الاوتاكو كان هيكون اسم بيتغنى به العامة

[Gwendolyn]

Really great ideas but had to start skimming after two-thirds.

[J.L. Flores]

Volví a Amano, ¿por qué? Porque me metí a soñar algo que ya había hecho antes, pero que necesitaba volver a sentir.

Darle esa capa de sueño a MYL

[James]

Watercolors to die for.

[Bridgett]

Large book filled with prints by Amano from all different kinds of projects.

[Caro the Helmet Lady]

I'm afraid that Amano is my favourite Japanese artist ever. End of story.

[Leanne]

Just absolutely beautiful work.