Kimiya Masago

Kimiya Masago (正子 公也, Masago Kimiya, born 1960 in Okayama) is a freelance illustrator with an affinity for historical figures from the Three Kingdoms and Warring States eras. Originally a physics major at Chuo University, he became a professional artist after studying under the cartoonist Buichi Terasawa. His first independent work, Rouault no Doukeshi, was released in 1990. After making a name for himself in various publications, he eventually branched into films as a costume designer and concept artist. His favorite novel is Water Margin.

Masago's paintings mostly employ eye-catching colors and contrasting shades to evoke a sense of dramatic flair. His signature art style is predominantly based on traditional Chinese aesthetics using Japanese and Western painting techniques. A passionate fan of his chosen field, Masago believes that an artist must understand their subject matter on a personal level and not rely too much on already-established concepts.

Works

 * Romance of the Three Kingdoms - character illustrations for various publications
 * Nobunaga's Ambition - character illustrations for various publications
 * Rise of The Phoenix - character illustrations for strategy guide
 * Sangokushi Trading Card Game - card illustrations for Zhou Yu, etc.
 * Bandit Kings of Ancient China - character illustrations for strategy guide
 * Angelique - cover illustration for Love Love Communication comic anthology
 * Sangokushi Koumei Den - cover illustration