A large-scale exhibition of mechanical designer Kunio Okawara will open at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art on March 23rd. The exhibition uncovers the secrets of Okawara's design through seven chapters. This exhibition will feature previously unseen handwritten design materials, including those for "Science Ninja Team Gatchaman," the first time Okawara was credited as a "mechanical designer" (as of the time), "Mobile Suit Gundam," which revolutionized Japanese animation, and the "Time Bokan" series, where he created humorous mecha designs. With over 400 works on display, this will be a truly "super" Okawara Kunio exhibition of unprecedented scale. Plans include an autograph session with Okawara, a commemorative discussion with steel artist Kogoro Kurata and animation director Ryosuke Takahashi, and events for women and children. Okawara was born in 1947. After majoring in textiles at Tokyo Zokei University, he joined the major apparel company Onward Kashiyama, where he worked as a fashion designer. In 1972, he joined Tatsunoko Productions, where he established the profession of mechanical design in Japan, primarily designing robots that appear in animated works. He went independent in 1978, and helped usher in the golden age of robot anime, working on mecha designs for shows like "Science Ninja Team Gatchaman," "GoWappa 5 Godam," and "Mobile Suit Gundam." He says he was inspired by a suit to design the Zaku. Even in the 2000s, he is still actively working on shows like "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" and "One Shot Guaranteed!! DePander."


[Event Information]
Super Okawara Kunio Exhibition -Legend of Mecha Design-
Venue: Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
Address: 1-1-1 Wakinohama Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Dates: March 23rd to May 19th, 2013
Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Mondays (open on April 29th and May 6th, closed on April 30th and May 7th)
Admission: 1,300 yen for adults, 900 yen for university students, 650 yen for high school students and those 65 years and over, free for junior high school students and younger (advance tickets and group discounts available)