Amin Abbas

Tsuyoshi Nonaka, renowned Japanese graphic artist, character and toy designer works for tokusatsu series like Power Rangers, Kamen Rider Kuuga and anime like Shin Mazinger Z and Mazinkaiser SKL.

 Nonaka shared with Arab News Japan how “ever since I was a boy, I liked to draw pictures for fun. I mainly drew monsters, robots, and other creatures and machines I dreamed up.” 

Soon after, Nonaka began to illustrate toy and plastic model kit packaging.

“Not long after that, I became fascinated by the package art on toys and plastic model kits, and I wanted to design and illustrate them myself,” he added.

Nonaka has several favorite anime series like Ultraman and Kamen Rider, as well as science fiction robot anime titles like Mazinger Z, Brave Raideen, and Space Battleship Yamato. He also reads the works of Leiji Matsumoto, like Galaxy Express 999.

“My generation, those of us who grew up in the 1970’s got to spend time with so many wonderful characters. I feel very fortunate that I’m still able to interact with them as a source of inspiration for my work,” he added.

Nonaka shared how the start of his career began back in design school when a friend introduced him to a children’s monthly magazine, where he illustrated for Transformers.

“It was a very inspirational experience for me because this magazine had such a long history. I used to read it when I was in elementary school. I was able to have a part in this magazine that I used to get so excited reading every month as a child, but this time as a contributor,” he added.

Speaking of his project in the illustration field, Nonaka said “my work on ‘Transformers’ involved illustrating introductions to the stories in accordance with the anime’s broadcasting schedule. At the same time, I was also illustrating the subject matter in accordance with the toy release schedule. As you know, there are so many robots (and their transformed vehicles) in this title, both the good and the evil, so this was really time-consuming work.”

“However, it was quickly growing in popularity, so I never lost motivation and I was able to work hard for two years until I graduated from design school and joined Bandai. My time working on this title turned out to be a great learning experience for the work I’d do later in my career,” he added.

Nonaka is known for his work on Power Rangers “Super Sentai in Japan” franchise, He shared with Arab News Japan how a year after joining Bandai, he was put in charge of designing toys for Toei’s tokusatsu (special effects) productions.

“Bandai and Toei have a long partnership and work together closely from the early planning and character design stages of their titles. Because of this, it was really exciting to work on creating characters, machines, and weapons that children would be interested in, rather than just designing toys that look like the characters. Dinosaur Task Force Zyuranger (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the U.S.) was the first “super sentai” series that I worked on, and it was a big hit in Japan, but it was an unexpected treat to have it aired around the world as Power Rangers.”

Nonaka shared how the ‘Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger’ toy series was a huge hit in Japan, and paved the way for his success as a toy designer.

“Since I was still in charge of designing Super Sentai and Kamen Rider in Japan, I was involved in the history of Power Rangers for a long time. I’ve actually had the opportunity to work in the United States since 2011. Being able to interact with so many Power Rangers fans at conventions has made me feel like my work is appreciated,” he added

Nonaka also visited the Middle East in 2018, when he attended the Middle East Film and Comic Con in Dubai on April 2018.

“Although it was my first time in the Middle East, it was very valuable to visit Dubai, one of the most exciting cities of our time,” he shared. Emphasizing how no matter what country he visited, anime and manga fans were always present.

Nonaka shared that currently he has participated in character design for several anime and tokusatsu (special effects) films, and is also doing some work designing toys.