Ok.... this time im try to write a short biography of a phenomenal artist whos works is quite important in game graphic history.

Perhaps everybody who ever play Final Fantasy series know the name of Yoshitaka Amano.

yes, He is the artworker of most Final Fantasy Series.

He has a quite strong character of his works. In many games, we can easily recognize his works.

Image 1. Cloud and Aerith from Final Fantasy VII.

       Yoshitaka Amano Born in Shizuoka, Japan, 28th July 1952. He is an Artist known for his illustration, and character design of most Final Fantasy series from Square Enix. In 1967, He work in the animation department of Tatsunoko Productions. There he introduced to the early Japanesse Anime title like Speed Racer, Gatchaman, Tekkaman, and Time Bokan.

       His works mostly influenced by the style of western art, psychedelic art, and pop art, and also Japanesse art. His interest of those arts style later drive him to study the artworks of the late 19th century and early 20th century European movement of Art Nouveau and also the ancient Japanese hand woodblock printing work of Ukiyoe. Later, his style is close to modern surrealism and also realism in both classic and modern technique. He concentrated to work for illustration for fantasy and scien fiction in early 1980 while he also keep influenced by his early animation works in 1960s and 1970s. In this period of his works, gradually he started to get his own unique style.

       He joined Squaresoft which now it is known as Square Enix in 1987. There he work on the first Final Fantasy (released in December 18, 1987) which was expected as the last game for Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System) as a character, graphic and image designer. The game then get an unexpected response and get a popularity in Japan which make Squaresoft later continue with another Final Fantasy project which is going up till even now. This sucess moment of Squaresoft also drive Amano work with the next Final Fantasy project. At 1994, Final Fantasy VI (Final Fantasy III in US) released. This is the last Amano's work as an image, character, and graphic designet for Squaresoft. After Final Fantasy VI, he still work to provide promotional artwork and also logo designer for the next games of Squaresoft.  Since 1995, he became known worldwide better with his works Biennale d'Orléans in France, and some workshop and exhibition in New York like Think Like Amano.

       He later live in New York to challange his self for a 'new' environment with more dense competition with other and also to experience with New York. He likes other art subject like movie, ballet and opera. Some of us perhaps think Amano's works close to a mystic and supernatural phenomenon, but Amano himself actually scare with those. Well here in my oppinion he work well with his imagination.  "Honestly speaking, I’m scared of paranormal and supernatural phenomenon. I can work on the theme in my imagination because I know it’s my imagination and not reality. If things happen in reality, gee, I’ll be terrified!". (Amano's word in interview at http://www.animenewsservice.com/archives/amano.htm)

       In my oppinion, there are people from Art Nouveau movement who became one of his big influence. Say here for example the name of Gustav Klimt (1862-1918). I take one example of similarity in style of the works of Gustav Klimt below with Amano's works. It has a similar figuration and ornamental stuff. We can find also the similar coloring style.

 Image 2. The Maiden (Gustav Klimt)       Image 3. GuinSaga Artwork

        Well i personally like these style of Amano's works which is not really much found in game nowadays. At the first sight, i cant really enjoy his artworks, it 'weird'. But then i find it is an unforgetable works and also has a strong character style. It perhaps also a factor that makes me become a Final Fantasy's fans besides it's music. So is there any other also a Yoshitaka Amano's fans out there who can share their oppinion?

Image 4. Kefka from Final Fantasy VI

Image 5. Chocobo

       In the end, pardon me for any mistakes i made here. I also ask for your cooperation to tell me if any of you have any idea of what to to with the mistake found. Thank you, i hope you can enjoy reading this.

Zak'

Reference

http://www.animenewsservice.com/archives/amano.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshitaka_Amano

http://www.rpgamer.com/

http://www.finalfantasytr.com/

http://www.amanosworld.com/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/yoshitaka_amano/biography.php

http://www.expo-klimt.com/painting/gk029.jpg

http://www.artpassions.net/