The Dark Lord: Noriyoshi Ohrai
Better late than never. That’s something you could say about the life and career of Noriyoshi Ohrai who should become one of the most mentionable Japanese illustrators.
He dropped out of art school and while waiting to get discovered, he illustrated book covers and newspaper advertisements. He had his breakthrough in 1980 at the late age of 45 where he posted a Star Wars illustration in a science fiction magazine. Somehow George Lucas himself got aware of it and reached out to Ohrai. He then eventually was asked to illustrate the international poster for Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back.
His style is unique in a way that still can’t be found today. Neo vintage, dystopian robotic or futuristic sci-fi.
His illustrations for movie posters like Mad Max or Godzilla show his brutalist yet very detailed approach to drawing. His interpretation of Godzilla got people claiming his version looked even more powerful and violent than the movie character.
Ohrai‘s dark and obscure style is famous and beloved among fans of movies, mangas and games until this day. He knows exactly how to drag the spectators into the dark and twisted universes of the stories that stand behind his cover artworks.
He passed away in 2015 at the age of 79.
