Yutaka Tsukada | Special Feature "This Illustrator is Amazing!" (Illustration June 2026 Issue [No.250] / Part 2)
This article introduces three illustrators—Yuno Akiya, Tatsuro Kuchi, and Keiji Yano—as part of the special feature "This Illustrator is Amazing!" in the magazine Illustration.Summary
This article introduces three illustrators—Yuno Akiya, Tatsuro Kuchi, and Keiji Yano—as part of the special feature "This Illustrator is Amazing!" in the magazine Illustration. Yuno Akiya, the first illustrator to receive the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honor, has maintained a relatively pure style without significant changes for over half a century, which has garnered support. Tatsuro Kuchi, known for his work on the cover art for the "Shitamachi Rocket" series, has pioneered an analog-style digital illustration and is described by selector Kazuhisa Urakami as having a style that has influenced many writers and become an infrastructure-like presence. Keiji Yano, who started his career in 2017, has expanded his expressive range from authentic "Japanese-style illustrations" to Cubist forms and high-saturation pop colors. The article notes that the selectors' comments provide interesting historical perspectives on illustration, and critics like Koike Amigo offer commentary on contemporary trends in illustration.
(Source：artscape)