Takeshi Obata (Death Note, Bakuman)
The creator of Death Note is mostly respected for the insane thriller story he was able to create, and how it was able to become a world-wide phenomenon, despite being banned in some countries. But what I like the most about Death Note is the art style. Sure, you could pass this art off as the typical emo-haired teenager who works at your local Hot Topic, and, yeah, I can see that, but I really think it has style. For a story as dark as Death Note, I think that kind of arty fits it. And with Obata using his art to create some astounding imagery and symbolism in his work of the series, I think that no other art style could have worked for it. But for a dark story, he was also able to create the not as dark but equally good Bakuman. Sure, the story was done by a different guy, but the art was all done by Bakuman. And by reading Death Note and Bakuman back to back, you MAY experience some similarities, but you would still be baffled to believe that the guy who made the dark and gritty religiously symbolic Death Note worked on a manga about two kids making manga. And, side note, he also did the artwork for the Wii fighting game, Castlevania: Judgement. Sure, that game wasn't very well received, but at least the art was good.
Kentaro Miura (Berserk)
While many of us will forever joke about the boat and the major hiatus that took place during the manga of Berserk, but with art this detailed, I can't really blame the guy. Being one of the biggest dark fantasies in the manga world, just by looking at the art of this manga, you can tell that Miura earned the right to have one of the best manga out there. So much can go on in a single page. No character looks the same. All of the bizarre and horrifying creatures that our protagonist Guts runs into are some of the most creative in fiction, and are so detailed, you can just see every hair or scale on these creatures. And for a manga as brutal and violent and hard to stomach as Berserk, it has art that is so good that, no matter what awful atrocity goes on in the manga, you can't help but look at it. It's awful, but hypnotizing at the same time. That is the best way to describe Miura's art. It's so well drawn, so highly detailed, and so amazing that you just want to stare at it all day. And I'm not the only one in love with it. Berserk was one of the major inspirations for Dark Souls, another great series. Shame that no modern Berserk anime will ever live up to the amazing art. Hell, they don't even try. What the hell is this shit?!
Naoki Urasawa (Monster, 20th Century Boys, Pluto)
Everyone is always complaining that anime always looks the same (Wrong), and that every character has giant eyeballs, stupid looking hair, and breasts so big they could have their own gravitational pull. So, for those who want to complain about anime, allow me to introduce you to artist Naoki Urasawa. Creating manga that looks so detailed, that every character looks very much real. Their facial expressions are perfect, the drawing of the shadows are some of the most detailed, and imagery so good, it just makes you stare at the art until you get it. And if you don't, well your looking at some damn good art. For those looking for characters in manga that actually look... human, then I think that Urasawa has it. Just don't expect anything family friendly. I don't think it is possible to get anything kid friendly with this kind of art. Ursawa's art is perfect for these darker stories and I think that makes it all the more better. Sure, he could probably do something kid friendly and still look amazing, but I think that this is a better choice for him.
Junji Ito (Uzumaki)
I gotta be honest, I have not got the chance to read anymore of Junji Ito's work aside from Uzumaki, but just looking at the disturbing art work and detailed visuals makes me want to search for more stories by Ito. Known by many to be the Stephen King of manga and inspiring many different horror writers out there... Yeah, I can see why. His art work is haunting and disturbing in every way and I love it. When he shows you a creature or something otherworldy and not human, he shows it to you in high detail, every crease, every little piece of it, as if you were really looking at the thing. And to show the proper reaction of one in that situation, Ito manages to draw perfect facial expressions, each character looking just as detailed as the monsters. The work of Ito is just oozing with creativity and dark imagination, and each page just lets you get to see more of that brilliantly disturbing work that he puts into it. Uzumaki may be the only manga by Ito I have read, but I assure you, I do plan on reading more of his work, and experiencing this disturbing style more in the future.
Jesse Hernandez (Kidrobot, Modnation Racers)
This guy is pretty much one of the lesser known artists on this list, but one that still deserves some praise. He worked on a game called Modnation Racers. I've never played the game, but looking at the game, I can tell that he has some style in his art. But the thing I can truly respect is his combination of urban style graffiti and Aztec art. Creating vinyl figures, before Funko Pop figures become the norm for vinyl figures, he used this style to create some very creative figures, even having some featured by the vinyl company, Kidrobot, or as I like to call them, Funko with effort. But his track record isn't perfect, I'm afraid. Hernandez has done work on a little show that you may have all heard of. A little show called The Nutshack. You know, that show that has been deemed as possibly the worst cartoon ever made and has only lived on in memes for it's terrible intro. Yeah, that show. But I don't blame Hernandez for the poor look of the show. Looking at the concept art for The Nutshack, you can really see his usual urban style. The issue comes in animating this style. And clearly, The Nutshack failed there. At least The Nutshack didn't ruin his career, as he has worked on Gear of War 4. It's okay, Hernandez. We all do things we poorly regret. I would know.
Shigenori Soejima (Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, Catherine)
Before becoming one of the art directors at Atlus, he started out under the help of his mentor, Kazuma Kaneko, who worked on the Devil May Cry games. Once Persona 3 came around, Soejima began to do the art on this game. That's right, everyone who plays Persona owes this guy for creating their waifus. This guy can pretty much create any emotion through his art. You could be having fun with your friends, all colorfully designed, or you could be under attack by one of the many symbolic creatures that surround Tartarus or the Shadow World or... whatever the hell was going on in Catherine. All of the characters have a unique style, and no character is the same in any of the games, and not just in the same series. Sure, they may sound the same. I can never not think of Yosuke from Persona 4 whenever Toby from Catherine opens his mouth. But design wise, their totally different. And each character manages to just show off their personality and character just through design alone. It really makes you appreciate the art of these games even more. I can't think of a better artist to have drawing my waifus.
Brendon Small and Loren Bouchard (Home Movies, Metalocalypse, Bob's Burgers)
This one, I feel, deserves to go to both of these guys, simply for the work in their show, Home Movies. Now, looking at this show, you'd think that it looks pretty amateurish and ugly, and you know what, you'd be right. But I think that was the point for a show like this. Home Movies follows this kid who makes amateur films with his two friends, and manages to tell some pretty good jokes throughout the series. Sure, it looks of poor quality, but I think that it's this poor with a purpose. A show that is about amateur film making, art style like this just helps give the show that feel of amateur, and I can really respect it for that. And plus, the show is just funny, and if you don't like the art style, I'm sure the unscripted and funny dialogue will. Small went on to work on the show Metalocalypse, a show that, while not having the best movements, has some incredibly designed backgrounds that could make any metal heads desktop. Bouchard went on to work on Bob's Burgers, and that show's animation is.... Well.... At least the show is very well written and funny.
Ayami Kojima (Castlevania)
Don't get her last name confused with Hideo Kojima, that's totally different. Sure, I can't really find much else she's worked on outside of Castlevania aside from one Dynasty Warriors game and one Samurai Warriors game and another game I can't remember off the top of my head, but I can respect her for her ambition. The art style looks very detailed in the Castlevania games. Each character looks so real and full of life (Ironic, since this game mainly focuses on death). They look of high quality. How did she manage this. Simple. She was self taught..... Yes, she taught herself how to draw pictures of this quality. I can't even draw a person and this lady is able to draw these insanely detailed portraits for games with just practice. I have to respect her for that. Kojima's art proves that anyone, with the right amount of practice and patience, can create art that is this incredible. All it takes is practice. Before you know it, you'll be drawing art for a shitty company like Konami too... Wow, that got depressing. I really am cynical, aren't I?
Yoji Shinkawa (Metal Gear, Pacific Rim)
It seems the best kind of people work on Metal Gear Solid. Hideo Kojima and his brilliant writing, Yoji Shinkawa for his amazing art... That's about all I can think of, but everyone else is good too. Sorry I don't know your names. But back to Shinkawa. Now, Shinkawa didn't just do the character creations. I mean, getting the privlage to create the greatest character in gaming, Solid Snake, is amazing on it's own. But he also got to create the Metal Gear's himself, the very machines that the game is named after. And I think that no one will disagree with me when I say that those machines are incredible to look at. The designs of them and pretty much the designs of all characters in the Metal Gear universe are incredible. Name one gamer who won't know Solid Snake when they see him. He is that recognizable. Maybe not as much as Mario or Pac-Man, but still, he's pretty huge. And he also did some art work for Metal Gear Rising, and a game that crazy, he clearly managed to pull of the designs. And, while not directly working on Pacific Rim, did do some artwork to create promotional posters. I haven't even seen Pacific Rim, but I want those posters. Oh, and he did some work for this game called Zone of the Enders... That's cool, but it ain't Metal Gear, so next.
H.R. Giger (Alien)
I regret forgetting about Giger in my last art styles list. A man who can create some of the most unique and detailed art out there and being known for working on one of the best horror sci-fi movies ever, I can't believe I forgot about him for the previous article. But now it's time to make up for that. Starting as a painter creating humans and machines being combined in a disturbingly beautiful piece, he later went on to be part of the special effects team for a movie, and you all know what movie it was. He created the infamous Xenomorphs from the Alien series and has been rewarded for it, as he should. Creating something so... inhuman and showing it to the world in his film, as well as some of his other work throughout the film. All of his mechanical art. I never through that mechanical pieces could be so disturbing, but Giger managed to find a way. He also did work on other things, including the video game Dark Seed, where he continues to show some of his Alien related work, and I think even goes further with this game. If your a fan of Alien or Giger's art in general, you need this game in your life. It's worth the confusing computer information of the time it was released.
Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath Albums)
Growing up with a parent who really loved Pink Floyd, I would hear them play records of them (Yes, records. Old vinyl records) of their songs. I remember seeing the cover of their album, Dark Side of the Moon, and being fascinated with it. It looked so bizarre and alien to my small child brain. I had no idea what to make of it. And that is how I grew to love Pink Floyd. But that is also how I grew to love the art of Storm Thorgerson. He really manages to create something that is just so strange, but all of them having a sort of point to it that I just love to gaze at. But, of course, Pink Floyd wasn't the only band he worked with. He worked on AC/DC's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Black Sabbath's Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die, Led Zeppelin's House of the Holy, The Song Remains the Same, and In Through the Out Door, Paul McCartney's Tug of War, The Police's De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da, Rainbow's Straight Between the Eyes, Scorpion's Crazy World, Styx's Cyclorama, Yes's Going for the One, and don't even get me started on the number of Pink Floyd songs. Storm had a hand in many different musicians albums, and I can safely say that, after his passing a couple years back, he will indeed be missed.
Alex Ahad (Skullgirls)
How much work are you willing to do in order to make your characters into something? That is what Alex Ahad did for his characters. Creating them back during his time in high school, he was later joined by game designer Mike Zaimont. While trying to find companies to help them back this game, they were able to find some small studios and a little company called Konami, before they tried to shoot themselves in the dick. Alex Ahad, being the art director for this game, created hundreds of animation frames for this game, and there is not a single duplicate for any characters. All of the movements, shading, and expressions just make me want to support this game, and I suck at fighting games. I just love the art style so much. But the thing that makes me appreciate this art even more is that, if you go to Ahad's website, you can find more art by him, and, while that art is still amazing, you will find Skullgirls work all the way from 2006, over ten years ago. This man was so dedicated to his work that he was willing to keep it with him, and usually most creators let their high school ideas die in a fire. It really is inspirational. It makes me feel more confident about my own goal as a person who wants to create things for the world to enjoy, and seeing this man keep true to his ideas really gives me hope. All of these artists have managed to do some great things with some pens and paper and I think that all of them earn my respect, and whatever money I need to buy their stuff. Even if I can just look at the art styles, I'll pay for it. They deserve my money.
The creator of Death Note is mostly respected for the insane thriller story he was able to create, and how it was able to become a world-wide phenomenon, despite being banned in some countries. But what I like the most about Death Note is the art style. Sure, you could pass this art off as the typical emo-haired teenager who works at your local Hot Topic, and, yeah, I can see that, but I really think it has style. For a story as dark as Death Note, I think that kind of arty fits it. And with Obata using his art to create some astounding imagery and symbolism in his work of the series, I think that no other art style could have worked for it. But for a dark story, he was also able to create the not as dark but equally good Bakuman. Sure, the story was done by a different guy, but the art was all done by Bakuman. And by reading Death Note and Bakuman back to back, you MAY experience some similarities, but you would still be baffled to believe that the guy who made the dark and gritty religiously symbolic Death Note worked on a manga about two kids making manga. And, side note, he also did the artwork for the Wii fighting game, Castlevania: Judgement. Sure, that game wasn't very well received, but at least the art was good.
Kentaro Miura (Berserk)
While many of us will forever joke about the boat and the major hiatus that took place during the manga of Berserk, but with art this detailed, I can't really blame the guy. Being one of the biggest dark fantasies in the manga world, just by looking at the art of this manga, you can tell that Miura earned the right to have one of the best manga out there. So much can go on in a single page. No character looks the same. All of the bizarre and horrifying creatures that our protagonist Guts runs into are some of the most creative in fiction, and are so detailed, you can just see every hair or scale on these creatures. And for a manga as brutal and violent and hard to stomach as Berserk, it has art that is so good that, no matter what awful atrocity goes on in the manga, you can't help but look at it. It's awful, but hypnotizing at the same time. That is the best way to describe Miura's art. It's so well drawn, so highly detailed, and so amazing that you just want to stare at it all day. And I'm not the only one in love with it. Berserk was one of the major inspirations for Dark Souls, another great series. Shame that no modern Berserk anime will ever live up to the amazing art. Hell, they don't even try. What the hell is this shit?!
Naoki Urasawa (Monster, 20th Century Boys, Pluto)
Everyone is always complaining that anime always looks the same (Wrong), and that every character has giant eyeballs, stupid looking hair, and breasts so big they could have their own gravitational pull. So, for those who want to complain about anime, allow me to introduce you to artist Naoki Urasawa. Creating manga that looks so detailed, that every character looks very much real. Their facial expressions are perfect, the drawing of the shadows are some of the most detailed, and imagery so good, it just makes you stare at the art until you get it. And if you don't, well your looking at some damn good art. For those looking for characters in manga that actually look... human, then I think that Urasawa has it. Just don't expect anything family friendly. I don't think it is possible to get anything kid friendly with this kind of art. Ursawa's art is perfect for these darker stories and I think that makes it all the more better. Sure, he could probably do something kid friendly and still look amazing, but I think that this is a better choice for him.
Junji Ito (Uzumaki)
I gotta be honest, I have not got the chance to read anymore of Junji Ito's work aside from Uzumaki, but just looking at the disturbing art work and detailed visuals makes me want to search for more stories by Ito. Known by many to be the Stephen King of manga and inspiring many different horror writers out there... Yeah, I can see why. His art work is haunting and disturbing in every way and I love it. When he shows you a creature or something otherworldy and not human, he shows it to you in high detail, every crease, every little piece of it, as if you were really looking at the thing. And to show the proper reaction of one in that situation, Ito manages to draw perfect facial expressions, each character looking just as detailed as the monsters. The work of Ito is just oozing with creativity and dark imagination, and each page just lets you get to see more of that brilliantly disturbing work that he puts into it. Uzumaki may be the only manga by Ito I have read, but I assure you, I do plan on reading more of his work, and experiencing this disturbing style more in the future.
Jesse Hernandez (Kidrobot, Modnation Racers)
This guy is pretty much one of the lesser known artists on this list, but one that still deserves some praise. He worked on a game called Modnation Racers. I've never played the game, but looking at the game, I can tell that he has some style in his art. But the thing I can truly respect is his combination of urban style graffiti and Aztec art. Creating vinyl figures, before Funko Pop figures become the norm for vinyl figures, he used this style to create some very creative figures, even having some featured by the vinyl company, Kidrobot, or as I like to call them, Funko with effort. But his track record isn't perfect, I'm afraid. Hernandez has done work on a little show that you may have all heard of. A little show called The Nutshack. You know, that show that has been deemed as possibly the worst cartoon ever made and has only lived on in memes for it's terrible intro. Yeah, that show. But I don't blame Hernandez for the poor look of the show. Looking at the concept art for The Nutshack, you can really see his usual urban style. The issue comes in animating this style. And clearly, The Nutshack failed there. At least The Nutshack didn't ruin his career, as he has worked on Gear of War 4. It's okay, Hernandez. We all do things we poorly regret. I would know.
Shigenori Soejima (Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, Catherine)
Before becoming one of the art directors at Atlus, he started out under the help of his mentor, Kazuma Kaneko, who worked on the Devil May Cry games. Once Persona 3 came around, Soejima began to do the art on this game. That's right, everyone who plays Persona owes this guy for creating their waifus. This guy can pretty much create any emotion through his art. You could be having fun with your friends, all colorfully designed, or you could be under attack by one of the many symbolic creatures that surround Tartarus or the Shadow World or... whatever the hell was going on in Catherine. All of the characters have a unique style, and no character is the same in any of the games, and not just in the same series. Sure, they may sound the same. I can never not think of Yosuke from Persona 4 whenever Toby from Catherine opens his mouth. But design wise, their totally different. And each character manages to just show off their personality and character just through design alone. It really makes you appreciate the art of these games even more. I can't think of a better artist to have drawing my waifus.
Brendon Small and Loren Bouchard (Home Movies, Metalocalypse, Bob's Burgers)
This one, I feel, deserves to go to both of these guys, simply for the work in their show, Home Movies. Now, looking at this show, you'd think that it looks pretty amateurish and ugly, and you know what, you'd be right. But I think that was the point for a show like this. Home Movies follows this kid who makes amateur films with his two friends, and manages to tell some pretty good jokes throughout the series. Sure, it looks of poor quality, but I think that it's this poor with a purpose. A show that is about amateur film making, art style like this just helps give the show that feel of amateur, and I can really respect it for that. And plus, the show is just funny, and if you don't like the art style, I'm sure the unscripted and funny dialogue will. Small went on to work on the show Metalocalypse, a show that, while not having the best movements, has some incredibly designed backgrounds that could make any metal heads desktop. Bouchard went on to work on Bob's Burgers, and that show's animation is.... Well.... At least the show is very well written and funny.
Ayami Kojima (Castlevania)
Don't get her last name confused with Hideo Kojima, that's totally different. Sure, I can't really find much else she's worked on outside of Castlevania aside from one Dynasty Warriors game and one Samurai Warriors game and another game I can't remember off the top of my head, but I can respect her for her ambition. The art style looks very detailed in the Castlevania games. Each character looks so real and full of life (Ironic, since this game mainly focuses on death). They look of high quality. How did she manage this. Simple. She was self taught..... Yes, she taught herself how to draw pictures of this quality. I can't even draw a person and this lady is able to draw these insanely detailed portraits for games with just practice. I have to respect her for that. Kojima's art proves that anyone, with the right amount of practice and patience, can create art that is this incredible. All it takes is practice. Before you know it, you'll be drawing art for a shitty company like Konami too... Wow, that got depressing. I really am cynical, aren't I?
Yoji Shinkawa (Metal Gear, Pacific Rim)
It seems the best kind of people work on Metal Gear Solid. Hideo Kojima and his brilliant writing, Yoji Shinkawa for his amazing art... That's about all I can think of, but everyone else is good too. Sorry I don't know your names. But back to Shinkawa. Now, Shinkawa didn't just do the character creations. I mean, getting the privlage to create the greatest character in gaming, Solid Snake, is amazing on it's own. But he also got to create the Metal Gear's himself, the very machines that the game is named after. And I think that no one will disagree with me when I say that those machines are incredible to look at. The designs of them and pretty much the designs of all characters in the Metal Gear universe are incredible. Name one gamer who won't know Solid Snake when they see him. He is that recognizable. Maybe not as much as Mario or Pac-Man, but still, he's pretty huge. And he also did some art work for Metal Gear Rising, and a game that crazy, he clearly managed to pull of the designs. And, while not directly working on Pacific Rim, did do some artwork to create promotional posters. I haven't even seen Pacific Rim, but I want those posters. Oh, and he did some work for this game called Zone of the Enders... That's cool, but it ain't Metal Gear, so next.
H.R. Giger (Alien)
I regret forgetting about Giger in my last art styles list. A man who can create some of the most unique and detailed art out there and being known for working on one of the best horror sci-fi movies ever, I can't believe I forgot about him for the previous article. But now it's time to make up for that. Starting as a painter creating humans and machines being combined in a disturbingly beautiful piece, he later went on to be part of the special effects team for a movie, and you all know what movie it was. He created the infamous Xenomorphs from the Alien series and has been rewarded for it, as he should. Creating something so... inhuman and showing it to the world in his film, as well as some of his other work throughout the film. All of his mechanical art. I never through that mechanical pieces could be so disturbing, but Giger managed to find a way. He also did work on other things, including the video game Dark Seed, where he continues to show some of his Alien related work, and I think even goes further with this game. If your a fan of Alien or Giger's art in general, you need this game in your life. It's worth the confusing computer information of the time it was released.
Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath Albums)
Growing up with a parent who really loved Pink Floyd, I would hear them play records of them (Yes, records. Old vinyl records) of their songs. I remember seeing the cover of their album, Dark Side of the Moon, and being fascinated with it. It looked so bizarre and alien to my small child brain. I had no idea what to make of it. And that is how I grew to love Pink Floyd. But that is also how I grew to love the art of Storm Thorgerson. He really manages to create something that is just so strange, but all of them having a sort of point to it that I just love to gaze at. But, of course, Pink Floyd wasn't the only band he worked with. He worked on AC/DC's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Black Sabbath's Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die, Led Zeppelin's House of the Holy, The Song Remains the Same, and In Through the Out Door, Paul McCartney's Tug of War, The Police's De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da, Rainbow's Straight Between the Eyes, Scorpion's Crazy World, Styx's Cyclorama, Yes's Going for the One, and don't even get me started on the number of Pink Floyd songs. Storm had a hand in many different musicians albums, and I can safely say that, after his passing a couple years back, he will indeed be missed.
Alex Ahad (Skullgirls)
How much work are you willing to do in order to make your characters into something? That is what Alex Ahad did for his characters. Creating them back during his time in high school, he was later joined by game designer Mike Zaimont. While trying to find companies to help them back this game, they were able to find some small studios and a little company called Konami, before they tried to shoot themselves in the dick. Alex Ahad, being the art director for this game, created hundreds of animation frames for this game, and there is not a single duplicate for any characters. All of the movements, shading, and expressions just make me want to support this game, and I suck at fighting games. I just love the art style so much. But the thing that makes me appreciate this art even more is that, if you go to Ahad's website, you can find more art by him, and, while that art is still amazing, you will find Skullgirls work all the way from 2006, over ten years ago. This man was so dedicated to his work that he was willing to keep it with him, and usually most creators let their high school ideas die in a fire. It really is inspirational. It makes me feel more confident about my own goal as a person who wants to create things for the world to enjoy, and seeing this man keep true to his ideas really gives me hope. All of these artists have managed to do some great things with some pens and paper and I think that all of them earn my respect, and whatever money I need to buy their stuff. Even if I can just look at the art styles, I'll pay for it. They deserve my money.