Amano was born in Shizuoka, Japan in 1952. Joining the early Japanese animation movement in 1967, Amano first came into prominence with his work on the anime adaptation of “Speed Racer”. Amano later worked on character design for a number of Japanese TV programs, including popular series such as “Time Bokan”, “Tekkaman”, “Gatchaman”, and “Honey Bee”. In the 1980s Amano partnered as a freelance illustrator with numerous authors, working on best-selling novels such as “The Guin Saga” and “Vampire Hunter D”, and was awarded the Bram Stoker Award in 1999 for his collaboration with internationally acclaimed novelist Neil Gaiman on “Sandman: The Dream Hunters”. Amano is also well known for his commissioned illustrations for the popular video game franchise “Final Fantasy”. Additionally, Amano has won the Seiun Award five times, along with the Dragon Con Award and the Eisner Award in 2000. Selected Solo Exhibitions “Hiten” Yurakucho Mullion, Tokyo, Japan, 1989 “Think Like Amano”Uenonomori Museum of Art, Tokyo, Japan, 1998 “Hero” Angel Orenzanz Foundation, New York, USA, 1999 “The Happy Lion”Leo Koenig, Inc&Galerie Michael Janssen, Los Angeles, USA, 2002 “Solopresentation” Fiac, Paris, France, 2002 Galerie Michael Janssen, Cologne, Germany, 2003 “Yoshitaka Amano. M.” Kunstverein Heilbronn, Heilbronn, Germany, 2004 “Yoshitaka Amano” GalerieNosbaum&Reding Art Contemporain, Luxemburg, 2005 “Yoshitaka Amano” Art Statements Gallery, Hong Kong, 2006 “Deva-loka” Galerie Michael Janssen, Berlin, Germany, 2008 “Deva Loka USA” Superfrog Gallery, San Francisco, USA, 2009 “Yoshitaka Amano 2010” Nosbaum&Reding Art Contemparain, Luxemburg, 2010 “For Japan” Superfrog Gallery, San Francisco, USA, 2011