Gundam! The Dunbine! Motorhead! Report on an exhibition of original box art by legendary painter Yoshiyuki Takani, where you can enjoy the original works up close and personal!

Yoshiyuki Takani, a painter who has created numerous plastic model box arts and military arts from the Showa period to 2022, is currently holding an exhibition of his original works from August 11 (Thursday, national holiday) to August 21 (Sunday), 2022.

From the late 1950s to the 1940s, he created plastic model box art of battleships, tanks, and fighter planes, and from the 1960s to the 1950s, he wrote covers for magazines such as "Shonen Sunday".
In 1982, he made his breakthrough with the plastic model box art for the anime "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross," and since then, Yoshiyuki Takani has become known in the world of anime-related plastic models, including box art for the "Mobile Suit Gundam" series, "Saint Dunbine," "Five Star Story," and others.

In particular, the box art for the "Mobile Suit Gundam: Char of Counterattack" and "Saint Dunbine" series may have had a strong impact on many people. I am one of them, and the box art of "1/100 scale Nu Gundam" in particular still leaves a strong impression on me.

The "Yoshiyuki Takani Original Art Exhibition 2022 Summer" is currently being held at the art gallery "Hilltopia Art Square" on the B1F of the Hilton Tokyo from August 11 (Thu.) to August 21 (Sun.), where visitors can enjoy 30 original drawings by Mr. Takani.


Many people may know Mr. Takani by his robot plastic model box art, as mentioned above.

This exhibition also features many of his original drawings for "Gundam," "Dunbine," and "Five Star Stories," among others.
Personally, I found Mr. Takani's "Elgaim" surprising and very impressive.
If you look closely, you can see that the pencil lines of the draftsmanship are still there. There is a rawness to the original that you don't notice in prints.
In addition, illustrations of games that ended up not being released are also on display.

A number of artworks based on weapons groups that operated in World War II are also on display.

Some of them are images of aircraft in operation that were never actually completed, and some are impossible combinations that could not exist in reality. The drafts that emanate from Takani's imagination are also noteworthy.

Recently exhibited works are also on display.

There is also a full lineup of merchandise for sale. Many original reproductions are available, some of which are in limited quantities, so don't miss them!

The most notable items for sale are the pamphlets "The Book of Tanks" and "All About Zero Fighter Planes.
These booklets were sent to all applicants who sent a 30 yen stamp to "Shonen" magazine (Kobunsha) in the 1960s. It is a fantastic booklet in which Mr. Takani did not only the illustrations, but also all of the text and interviews with people who actually flew on board the aircraft during the war.

Perhaps you may be thinking, "30 exhibits? Isn't that too few?" You may be thinking, "30 pieces in the exhibition?
However, when you actually go to the exhibition site and take a closer look at the works, you will find that the satisfaction is overwhelming. In fact, if there were more than 30 pieces, I might not have had the time to enjoy each piece carefully.
According to the organizer, depending on the response to this year's exhibition, there may be a second one, so please visit the exhibition hall to enjoy the next 30 works (or not).




Event Information】
■Yoshiyuki Takani Original Art Exhibition 2022 Summer
・Period: 8/11 (Thu., holiday) to 8/21 (Sun.) 2022 for 11 days.
The first day is a Premium Day, when only Premium Ticket holders are allowed to enter. General admission is from 8/12 (Fri.).
Opening hours: 12:00-19:00
・Exhibited works: 30 pieces
・Venue: Hiltopia Art Square 6-6-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Hiltopia Shopping Arcade (Hilton Tokyo B1F)
・Access: Nearest stations: 4-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Station on the Marunouchi Subway Line, 5-minute walk from Tochomae Station on the Oedo Subway Line, 12-minute walk from West Exit of JR Shinjuku Station ( above ground ) JR Shinjuku Station West Exit (above ground).
Remarks: There will be sales of goods (catalogs, T-shirts, reproductions of original paintings, etc.).

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