Dark Dice Podcast Episode Summary: "The Birth of Myth: An Interview with Yoshitaka Amano"

Release Date: May 29, 2024
Host/Author: Fool and Scholar Productions

1. Introduction

In this captivating episode of Dark Dice, host Travis Vengraf engages in an insightful conversation with renowned visual artist and creator Yoshitaka Amano, accompanied by translator Akiko Muke. The discussion delves deep into Amano's illustrious career, creative processes, and his enduring influence on the fantasy genre.

2. Yoshitaka Amano: A Legacy in Art

Travis opens the interview by highlighting Yoshitaka Amano’s significant contributions to the world of art and entertainment. Known for his striking concept art and logos for the early Final Fantasy series (episodes one through six), Amano has also lent his talents to projects such as Gatchaman, Vampire Hunter D, Front Mission, and Sandman: The Dream Hunters with Neil Gaiman.

"Amano uses bold colors and patterns, culminating in imaginative works that are evocative and unlike anything the world had ever seen before." [00:00]

Travis reminisces about his collaboration with Amano on the music album Lost Frequency by his band Random Encounter, underscoring the profound impact Amano’s artwork has had on his own creative endeavors.

3. Reconnecting and Collaborating After Years

The conversation touches upon the rekindling of Travis and Amano’s relationship after years apart. They last connected in 2014 during Amano’s visit to Florida, maintaining a professional relationship through email thereafter.

"I became pen pals in the early 2000s and we somehow worked together on a music album called Lost Frequency by my band Random Encounter." [00:00]

4. Creative Process and Sources of Inspiration

A significant portion of the interview explores Amano’s creative process. When asked about what continues to bring joy to his artistry, Amano reflects that his passion remains unchanged since childhood.

"Not much has changed since I was young because what I'm doing now is still the same thing that I was doing when I was younger." [02:28]

He explains that his ideas often spontaneously flow onto the canvas, drawing inspiration from a vast array of experiences and external sources. Amano emphasizes the importance of diverse experiences to fuel creativity, noting that while he absorbs many ideas, only a fraction make it into his final works.

"There is so much inspiration from things outside of art. However, when it comes to creating my art, it automatically flows out onto the canvas." [02:49]

5. Influences and Fellow Artists

Amano discusses the influence of iconic artists like Frank Frazetta and Mobius (Jean Giraud) on his work. He shares memorable interactions, such as meeting Mobius in France and admiring his ongoing projects before Mobius's untimely passing.

"Mobius showed me all the projects he was currently working on at the time. Unfortunately, shortly after that, he passed away and that was the last time I met him." [03:40]

6. Evolution and Camaraderie in Fantasy Art

The dialogue shifts to the evolution of fantasy art, comparing the camaraderie and mainstream acceptance today to Amano’s early years. Amano reminisces about the 1980s in Japan when fantasy and sci-fi were niche genres, contrasting it with today's broader acceptance.

"From my own experiences around 1980, after I worked for anime, I was drawing fantasy sci-fi book cover art for Hayakawa Publishing Co. At this time in Japan, fantasy or sci-fi was not a popular genre." [04:21]

He also highlights the shift in character archetypes influenced by Western authors like Michael Moorcock and Neil Gaiman, noting a trend towards more sensitive and complex heroes in contrast to traditional macho figures.

"Neil Gaiman, like the hero, although having a very sensitive outward look, but inside was very strong." [05:20]

7. Storytelling: Art-First vs. Story-First Approaches

Travis inquires about Amano’s approach to storytelling, distinguishing between creating art first and building stories from it versus developing stories first and then illustrating them. Amano elaborates on both methods, citing examples like Vampire Hunter D and Final Fantasy for story-first, and Hero and Zan for art-first projects.

"There are two ways. The story first, then the art... The other way is that I create my own image art and then create the story off the image art." [05:48]

8. Landmark Projects: Final Fantasy 6 and Angel's Egg

Amano discusses Final Fantasy 6 as a pinnacle of his career, representing a synthesis of his artistic journey. He explains that its continuation from the first Final Fantasy allowed for a cohesive development of his artistic vision.

"Final Fantasy 6... it's a continued ongoing series from Final Fantasy 1. That's why I was able to do that." [08:51]

The conversation also touches upon Angel’s Egg, a project that reignited Amano’s passion for animation after stepping away from the industry. He reflects on the challenges and joys of returning to animation work with this film.

"With Angel's Egg, it was the style I was interested in doing... I enjoyed doing it." [09:28]

9. Current and Future Endeavors: Birth of Myth and Zaun

Amano shares insights into his recent exhibit, The Birth of Myth, which explores themes of success, birth, achievement, and continual reinvention. He emphasizes that while his art speaks loudly on its own, the exhibit serves to contextualize its thematic underpinnings.

"His recent exhibit the Birth of Myth, focused on the journey of success, birth, achievement, and perpetual reinvention and innovation over time." [00:00]

Discussing future projects, Amano reveals his ambitious plan to create a 100-meter canvas inspired by Greek mythology after visiting historical sites like the Pergamon Palace. This large-scale work aims to reinterpret and present Greek myths through his unique artistic lens.

"I decided to do Greek mythology. It's about what the whole world and universe is like... I need to do a much larger piece of work." [11:25]

Additionally, Amano hints at developing an animated series based on his earlier work, Zaun, currently in the scripting and storyline phase, with Dark Horse Comics slated to publish related content.

"I'm currently writing the script and storyline. So this current experience might be used for the storyline." [14:18]

10. Exhibition Experiences and Global Influence

The interview touches on Amano’s experiences exhibiting his work internationally, such as in Yoshi Temple in Kyoto and his upcoming world tour starting in Sao Paulo. These exhibitions not only showcase his art but also bridge cultural narratives through his interpretations of mythology and fantasy.

"There’s a whole Ryuji Temple in Nara, Japan... I drew on it in Kyoto. It's a universe drawn on it." [13:33]

11. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Gallery Tour

As the interview concludes, Travis highlights the upcoming world tour of Yoshitaka Amano’s gallery, beginning in Sao Paulo on March 16, with additional dates forthcoming. Listeners are encouraged to visit Amano's official website for more information and to join his mailing list for updates.

"Yoshitaka Amano's gallery will soon be on a world tour, starting in Sao Paulo on March 16, with other countries and dates soon to be announced." [14:53]

Notable Quotes

• "Not much has changed since I was young because what I'm doing now is still the same thing that I was doing when I was younger." — Yoshitaka Amano [02:28]

• "There is so much inspiration from things outside of art. However, when it comes to creating my art, it automatically flows out onto the canvas." — Yoshitaka Amano [02:49]

• "Mobius showed me all the projects he was currently working on at the time. Unfortunately, shortly after that, he passed away and that was the last time I met him." — Yoshitaka Amano [03:40]

• "There are two ways. The story first, then the art... The other way is that I create my own image art and then create the story off the image art." — Yoshitaka Amano [05:48]

• "Final Fantasy 6... it's a continued ongoing series from Final Fantasy 1. That's why I was able to do that." — Yoshitaka Amano [08:51]

• "I decided to do Greek mythology. It's about what the whole world and universe is like... I need to do a much larger piece of work." — Yoshitaka Amano [11:25]

Conclusion

This episode of Dark Dice offers an enriching exploration of Yoshitaka Amano's artistic philosophy, his enduring legacy in the fantasy genre, and his continuous pursuit of innovation. From his foundational works in Final Fantasy to his ambitious future projects like the Birth of Myth exhibit and the Zaun animated series, Amano's contributions continue to shape and inspire the world of fantasy art.

For more information on Yoshitaka Amano’s gallery and ongoing projects, listeners are encouraged to visit YoshitakaAmano.com and join his mailing list. Stay updated on future episodes and interviews by subscribing to the Dark Dice podcast.