Respected artist Noriyoshi Ohrai died earlier today, reports the Japanese media. You might not know his name, but you should know his work.
Born in 1939, Ohrai illustrated a wide variety of works — from pulp fiction covers and history books to Hollywood blockbusters and video games.
He first really made a name for himself with his art for the international Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back poster.
[Image: Film On Paper via io9]
And this 1982 re-release of Star Wars Episode IV:
[Image: Film On Paper]
Via the Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition Facebook page, here are more of his Star Wars illustrations:
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
He also did one of the posters for The Goonies.
[Image via Branded in the 80s]
And for eight Godzilla movies.
[Image: Film On Paper]
[Image: Film On Paper]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
I have to agree with Film On Paper that Ohrai was truly one of the greatest movie poster illustrators of all time.
Ohrai also lent his talents to Koei.
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
Among other game makers.
MGS & ZOE posters I’d asked Noriyoshi Ourai. All his work means a lot to me but MGS THE TWIN SNAKES is my favorite.
pic.twitter.com/0ibpCMNsjZ”
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) February 22, 2014
Ohrai left us with a varied, impressive body of work.
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image via Cryptic Corridor]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
For that, we thank him. May he rest in peace.
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
[Image: Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition]
Comments
4 responses to “We Lost A Great Japanese Illustrator Today”
Gorgeous stuff!! Especially love the Godzilla posters.
The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross one brings a tear to my eye.
Every one of these is a goddamn masterpiece.
You glued it upside down…
Amazing work…..Really gorgeous work. May he R.I.P