Nizō Yamamoto

Nizō Yamamoto (1953–2023) was one of the defining art directors in Japanese animation and a pioneering figure in the development of anime background art. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he shaped the visual worlds of some of the medium’s most celebrated works, collaborating with directors such as Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, and Mamoru Hosoda.

In Japan, his achievements have long been held in the highest regard, yet internationally his name remains far less familiar than the landmark projects he helped to create. Through Future Boy Conan, Castle in the Sky, Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and more, his images are cherished by anime fans around the world.