It has been announced that Noriyoshi Ohrai—the Japanese illustrator best known for producing remarkable poster art for Metal Gear Solid as well as for films including the Godzilla series and Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back—passed away from pneumonia yesterday morning at the age of 79.
With a career spanning over half a century and an impressive portfolio of artworks for novels, games and well-known international movie releases, fans around the world are mourning the loss of a great talent and taking a look back at his extraordinary body of work.
Ohrai’s passing has prompted many in Japan and around the world to post touching tributes on social media, including the below comment from celebrated video game designer Hideo Kojima. In the tweet, Kojima says that he grew up enjoying Ohrai’s art on book covers and at the cinema, and one of his childhood dreams was to ask Ohrai to illustrate for him if his games ever became famous. That childhood dream was realised with Metal Gear Solid and ANUBIS: Zone of the Enders.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Kojima_Hideo/status/659011890136244224 align=’center’]
A look back at the illustrator’s illustrious career reveals the breadth of his work and his exceptional ability to capture the mood, action and romance of some of the world’s most cinematic masterpieces.
Ohrai was the king of Godzilla movie posters, designing for eight titles, including Godzilla vs King Ghidorah in 1991.
▼ Just looking at the poster for 1993’s Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla would have been enough to sell tickets.
▼ He also designed the poster for the classic Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992).
Ohrai’s star rose even further when George Lucas saw his art for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in a science fiction magazine, which led to him being asked to design the poster for the next movie, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
▼ Ohrai also created the action-filled poster for the 1986 film King Kong 2, also known as King Kong Lives.
▼ And he even designed the poster for The Goonies in 1985.
It’s hard to believe that these influential posters make up only a small portion of the incredible artist’s work. Despite the sad news of his passing, Ohrai’s creative vision has left a great legacy of art and made a lasting impression on pop culture that will continue to be enjoyed by generations for years to come.
Source: Huffington Post Japan
Top Image: Film on Paper (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert Images: Metal Gear Wiki, Film on Paper
Metal Gear Solid composer talks Konami fall out
Metal Gear movie finds scriptwriter, presumably prepared to write dialogue including “Snaaake!!!”
Hideo Kojima officially leaves Konami, opens own studio, announces new PlayStation 4 game 【Video】
Konami denies report of Hideo Kojima leaving company
Video game legend Hideo Kojima’s new YouTube channel launches 【Updated】
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Studio Ghibli celebrates the magic of movie theaters with short video, Hayao Miyazaki illustration
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Pokémon store character meet-and-greet events to resume in May
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Dry and iron your laundry hands-free and fast with Village Vanguard’s hot air bag clothes dryer
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Geoff Keighley: Konami bans Metal Gear Solid V’s Hideo Kojima from game awards
Hideo Kojima to be inducted into Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame
GameSpot: Hideo Kojima wants new game to expand into anime
P.T. easter egg discovered tucked away in Metal Gear Solid V 【Video】
Japanese special edition Metal Gear Solid V buyers get a Diamond Dogs jacket
Food Becomes Art: These Metal Gear and Final Fantasy Bentō Lunchboxes Will Blow Your Mind
Metal Gear fans’ worst fear comes true as proud video game masterpiece becomes a pachinko machine
Little Big Planet 3 offers Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain costumes
New female Metal Gear figure features a heaping helping of suggestiveness…and a doggy! 【Photos】
Hideo Kojima thinks there’s a better way to spend your coronavirus free time than playing games
Hideo Kojima’s company closes office after employee confirmed infected with coronavirus
Ever wanted to work with legendary video game creator Hideo Kojima? Kojima Productions now hiring
Metal Gear Solid V’s child soldiers make an accidental news cameo