A FEW WORDS FROM THE BIOGRAPHER

Vast drapery and endless hair, androgynous and alabaster faces, looks as sharp and cold as a razor blade…A mere glance is enough to recognize the signature work of Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano.

Just as with the dreamlike fantasy artwork he participates in making, and which made him an influential creator, Yoshitaka Amano is among those charismatic artists who are surrounded by an air of mystery.

The first time I found myself in front of him, in December 2012, I remember being very impressed by his natural aura. Pix’n Love Publishing and I asked for a meeting with the master during the Toulouse Game Show. We wanted to propose a very specific project: to write and publish his official biography. When I saw him enter the small room where we were waiting to meet him, my motivation suddenly felt crushed beneath his presence—the kind of presence that imposes not only respect, but also deference.

My mind quickly became quite agitated. How presumptuous of us to dare approach such a talented artist! Would he really give us such an honor? Indeed, Yoshitaka Amano has been admired for several decades by hundreds of thousands of fans throughout the world, and dozens of prestigious artists dream of being able to work with him. And how many editors and authors hope to be able to get his services? If no biography worthy of him had been written before, in Japan or anywhere else, that was probably for a good reason! I was at that moment deeply convinced that our request would go unheeded.

Yet, from the first seconds of our interview, I immediately felt the rare kindness and sweetness Yoshitaka Amano has. He was as modest and simple as he was charismatic. Not only was the artist surprised and honored by our proposition, but he invited us to start his biography two days later, at his apartment in Paris!

A few years have gone by since the beginning of this ambitious project. I had the great honor of watching the painter work for hours, of joining him during his trips to Paris, to different studios in Tokyo, or to Burgundy, where he enjoyed the delicious local wine. And despite those hundreds of hours spent at his side, I have to confess, I am still impressed today by Amano’s natural charisma.

But I do confirm here that Amano is not one of those inaccessible and distant artists. On the contrary, he’s one of those rare and delightful beings who are particularly generous and genuine. Through this biography, I hope I’ve succeeded in faithfully describing the personality of this extraordinary artist.

Enjoy your book, and have a good trip into Yoshitaka Amano’s universe.

Florent Gorges

JUNE 2015