Master Amano at the "Shinjuku" panel.
In Room 8, I was able to meet a personal, and true, legend: Concept artist and illustrator Yoshitaka Amano. Many know him primarily due to his illustrations and concept art for the "Final Fantasy" franchise, and from "Vampire Hunter D." He was at the Con this year promoting his collaboration with Mink for the Dark Horse novel "Shinjuku." Mink shared his story of surprise, in that a mutual contact pitched Mink's intention for Amano to illustrate maybe just the cover or a few pages of the novel, and Amano shot back asking to illustrate the entire book. Many panel questioners gave credit to Master Amano for their own careers in illustration, and also asked him how they could buy even more merchandise. Amano said that before, he would post rare items on his site and do blitz sales for first comers, but that in the future he would like to perhaps create a stronger storefront. People, though, seem to forget that Amano himself is a fine artist, and merchandise does not really factor into the sales model of most artists, who otherwise sell original work. Mink, however, said there would plenty of Shinjuku merchandise!
More Comic-Con Days 3 and 4 review (and PHOTOS, including panels!) after the jump!
