A sad bit of news to report today. Noriyoshi Ohrai, who has contributed countless pieces of amazing pop culture art work to the tokusatsu fandom and various others through out his career, passed away today. He was 79.
Though his name may not be immediately recognizable to many, you’ve undoubtedbly encountered the work of Noriyoshi Ohrai in various forms. Whether it be his renditions of the original Star Wars Trilogy theatrical posters, his Metal Gear Solid illustrations, or the eight separate Godzilla film posters he did from 1980 onward. You have encountered the legacy of this legendary artist in one form or another.
We’ve attached a small selection of his various works to this story but we encourage you to head on over to the Noriyoshi Ohrai Exhibition Facebook page to see a multitude of his various works. Please take a moment to enjoy his amazing contributions as we remember him and appreciate the work that has touched so many of the fandoms that we’re all part of.
Noriyoshi Ōrai, an illustrator best known for his posters for such works as Godzilla and Star Wars, passed away due to pneumonia on Tuesday, October 27 at 11:35 a.m. in a hospital in Kunitomi, Miyazaki Prefecture. He was 79.
Yoshinori Ōrai was born in Akashi City in Hyogo Prefecture in 1935. He attended Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (now known as Tokyo University of the Arts), and after leaving school early, began pursuing art in 1962. He later moved to his wife's hometown of Miyazaki.
Ōrai is perhaps most well known for his international poster for the Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back movie. He gained the opportunity to create the poster artwork after his Star Wars art, featured in a science-fiction magazine, caught the eye of George Lucas. The success of the poster gained Ōrai fame outside of Japan.
Ōrai then went on to create the poster for entries into the Godzilla movie series from 1984 to 1995: The Return of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Boliante, Godzilla vs. King Ghidora, Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, and Godzilla vs. Destroyah. He also made the artwork for two Godzilla film posters in 2000 and 2005, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, and Godzilla: Final Wars, respectively. Other film poster contributions include The Goonies and The Sinking of Japan.
He created illustrations for such anime and manga franchises as Gundam, Macross, Akira, and Aura Battler Dunbine.
His art appeared on the novel covers of the Lensman series (which inspired an anime film), the Genma Taisen series (which inspired the Harmagedon anime film), and Jurassic Park. He also drew covers for the Spider-Man and MazinSaga manga.
He worked as a conceptual artist for the image illustrations on the anime film Future War Year 198X. In 1980, he received the Art Award in 11th Seiun Awards.
Below is a video for an exhibition of his works this past summer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUkoqGqjzTc
The Facebook page for the exhibition posted still more examples of his work.
That's sad. It looked like he did some amazing stuff.
Ah man.. that is sad. It sounds like he lived a long life, he created beautiful things.
This guy seems like a great talent. I hope he rests in peace
This man was a good artist and he'll live on forever in his art. May the Gods grant his peace in his rest.
Quite the legacy.
Tragic, though.
Such a tragedy. May he rest in peace.
RIP Noriyoshi Orai
His works were amazing and were a real work of art. RIP Noriyoshi Orai.
Very sad to hear of his passing. I own a few of his Godzilla advance movie posters that he did strictly because I loved the artwork! Sorry to see a talent like that go.
Rest in Peace.
Keep reading: Artist Noriyoshi Ōrai Passes Away - Page 2
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