Final Fantasy’s Legendary Illustrator Works on New Anime

Master Japanese Artist and character designer, Yoshitaka Amano, is well known for his long list of accomplishments, including blessing the world with his work on the Final Fantasy series, and now he is the mastermind of the upcoming dark fantasy anime series, ZAN.

ZAN was revealed in 2010 as an art project called “Deva Zan”, with over 300 original pieces made by Amano, and an official art book was published in 2013 by Dark Horse Comics.

Production on the New Dark-Fantasy Anime ZAN has officially begun

ZAN Press Release Artwork

The announcement of Amano’s new anime series also marks the launch of Yoshitaka Amano Inc, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, which will handle the production of ZAN, and the team of talented animators, directors, and writers who will be working on the project.

Fortunately, we’re not too far away from getting a closer look at Zan, as the trailer for the anime will premiere at Anime Expo in Los Angeles on July 3rd.

When Zan was first announced in 2010, it was to be a 3D anime film developed by Amano’s film production company, Studio Devaloka, but after years of silence regarding the project, it was revealed in 2022 that the film would instead be made into a series.

ZAN’s official announcement came last week, stating that the series will combine original and newly created artwork from Amano with hand-drawn animations to bring the dark fantasy world to life: “The series brings together veteran anime creators under Amano’s artistic vision to bring the best animation work to a global audience.”

There are some veteran names working on the ZAN animation series, including:

• Masashi Ikeda (Inuyasha, Gundam Wing) Animation Director

• Toru Toshida (Armored Trooper VOTOMS, Gundam Seed) — Animation Director

• Moriyasu Taniguchi (Samurai Champloo, Vinland Saga) — Master Animator

• Ryosuke Takahashi (Armored Trooper VOTOMS and Fable) – Series Construction

• Yuya Takashima (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, and The Fable) — The author

• Kunio Ogawara (Time Bokan and Mobile Suit Gundam) — Art Director

• Minoru Nishida (Kill Bill, Doraemon: Nobita’s Dinosaur 2006) Art Director

According to a press release, Yoshitaka Amano Inc. will collaborate with international partners on the production of ZAN, as the company’s goal is to transform Amano’s iconic art into a world-renowned form of immersive, collectible, and animated experiences.

The company’s official website describes the upcoming anime series as, “A thrilling sci-fi action tale that crosses time and space, woven with stylish heroes and an exciting story. Japan’s best anime creators come together to produce a high-quality animated work designed for the global market. It features intense battles and powerful swordsmanship.”

Amano’s new headquarters in Los Angeles will focus on film and animation production, licensing, galleries, artist management, and art events.

Yoshitaka Amano also has a large-scale, large-scale art and entertainment show, called “AMANO”, which has had successful shows in Italy and Brazil. They recently announced that the show is expanding and will soon be available in the United States, China, Southeast Asia, Europe and Japan, starting in 2027.

This art exhibition is intended to be an immersive experience that engages the audience. “Visitors are invited not only to view Amano’s art, but to walk through and interact with it in both physical and digital spaces.”

Limited-Edition AMANO Merch

If your curiosity grows to experience Amano’s creativity in real life by visiting AMANO showrooms when it finally arrives in a location near you, you will have the opportunity to receive exclusive merchandise.

MEDICOM TOY Corporation will be helping to plan and produce the limited edition merchandise with the help of AMANO, and Milestone INC. supporting sales activities.

The world premiere of the ZAN comic trailer, as well as a preview of the extended AMANO Art & Entertainment Exhibition experience, will be presented at Anime Expo 2026.