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Mechanical designer Kunio Okawara’s exhibition “Legend of Mechanical Design” is now open at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art.
The exhibition explores the secrets of Okawara’s design through seven sections. For the first time, original, top-secret materials relating to the following shows will be displayed: Science Ninja Team Gatchaman - Okawara became the first person ever to be credited as mechanical designer for the show; Mobile Suit Gundam - the show that innovated Japanese anime; and Time Fighters - an anime filled with humorous mechanical designs. With over 400 pieces of artwork and documents, the scale of the exhibition will be larger than ever. Also lined up is a signing session with Okawara, a commemorative interview between iron and steel artist Kogoro Kurata and animation director Ryosuke Takahashi, and events for children.
Kunio Okawara was born in 1947. He studied textile design at Tokyo Zokei University and, following graduation, worked as a fashion designer at the major apparel company Onward Kashiyama. In 1972, Okawara took a position at Tatsunoko Production, where he established the role of anime robot designer and mechanical designer in Japan. In 1978, he left the production company to work independently. He worked as a mechanical designer for Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, Goliath the Super Fighter, and Mobile Suit Gundam and led the golden age of robot anime. The idea behind the character Zaku’s design came from a suit. Okawara currently continues to work on Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Ippatsu Hyaku-Chu! Devander.
[Event Information]
Legend of Mechanical Design - Kunio Okawara Exhibition
Venue: Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
Access: 1-1-1, Wakihama-kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Prefecture
Dates: March 23 - May 19, 2013
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Friday and Saturday open until 20:00, last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Mondays (Except for April 29 and May 6, but will be closed April 30 and May 7)
Admissions: General - 1,300 yen; University students - 900 yen; High school students and seniors (over 65) - 650 yen; Junior high school students and under enter for free
(Advance tickets and group discounts also available)