YAMAMOTO Nizo Master of Animation Art

　
Yamamoto Nizo (1953-2023), the art director for such nationally beloved examples of Japanese animated films as "Castle in the Sky" (1986), "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988), and "Princess Mononoke" (1997), was born in Nagasaki, Goto.

In 1978, at the age of 24, he was selected as art director for the TV series "Conan, The Boy in Future." In the time since, his assured composition and close attention to detail have supported prominent directors such as Takahata Isao and Miyazaki Hayao, helping to elevate the culture of Japanese animation into an international phenomenon. His talents also won the admiration of many directors in the next generations, with him creating memorable backgrounds for directors Hosoda Mamoru’s "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" (2006) and Shinkai Makoto’s "Weathering With You" (2019).

This exhibition includes hand-drawn backgrounds from across his career, unreleased art plans and image boards created during production, and drawing tools that he used, totaling approximately 220 pieces. Approach into the rich world of poetry in Yamamoto Nizo’s background art.