Nizou Yamamoto
Known for
Art
Born
June 27, 1953
Birthplace
Fukue, Nagasaki, Japan [now Goto, Nagasaki, Japan]
Died
August 19, 2023 (aged 70)
Biography
Nizou Yamamoto (山本 二三, Yamamoto Nizō) was born on 27 June 1953 in Fukue-shi (a town within Gotou City [Gotou-shi]), in Nagasaki Prefecture, and was one of the most well-known anime art directors and background artists in Japan. He was especially famous for his work on several of the Studio Ghibli films directed or produced by Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata including Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986), Grave of the Fireflies (1988), Only Yesterday (1991), Whisper of the Heart (1995), Princess Mononoke (1997), and Spirited Away (2001).
Best known work
Spirited Away
2001
Princess Mononoke
1997
Grave of the Fireflies
1988
Castle in the Sky
1986
Perfect Blue
1998
Weathering with You
2019
Whisper of the Heart
1995
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
2006
Only Yesterday
1991
The Castle of Cagliostro
1979Filmography
2026
The Story of Yanagawa WaterwaysArt Direction
2024
Sherlock Hound: The MovieArt Direction
2020
2019
Weathering with YouPainter
2012
Rainbow FirefliesBackground Designer
2010
Welcome to the Space ShowBackground Designer
2009
Miyori's ForestDirector, Storyboard Artist
2009
The River's LightArt Direction
2006
The Girl Who Leapt Through TimeArt Direction
2004
2001
Spirited AwayBackground Designer
1998
Perfect BlueBackground Designer
1997
Princess MononokeArt Direction
1995
Whisper of the HeartBackground Designer
1995
Open the DoorArt Direction
1995
Lupin the Third: Greatest CapersArt Direction
1993
Coo of the Far SeasArt Direction
1991
Only YesterdayBackground Designer
1989
Little Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandArt Direction
1988
Grave of the FirefliesArt Direction
1987
Robot CarnivalArt Designer, Background Designer
1987
1986
Castle in the SkyArt Direction
1984
1984
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland Pilot 2Art Direction