Takaya Imamura – Legendary Nintendo Artist, Designer & Director

Takaya Imamura is one of the most influential visual creators in Nintendo’s history. As a longtime artist, character designer, and director at Nintendo, he helped shape the company’s iconic visual identity during its golden era. His bold, comic-inspired style and distinctive character designs became synonymous with some of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises.

Early Career at Nintendo

Imamura joined Nintendo in the late 1980s and quickly became a key creative force within Nintendo EAD. Influenced by manga, anime, and Western comics, he brought a unique visual language to Nintendo’s games—dynamic, expressive, and instantly recognizable.

His early work stood out for its strong silhouettes, exaggerated personalities, and cinematic flair, helping Nintendo characters feel larger than life while remaining approachable and memorable.

Star Fox and Iconic Character Creation

Imamura rose to international recognition as the original character designer of the Star Fox series. He created the iconic look of Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, Slippy Toad, and the villain Wolf O’Donnell, defining the franchise’s cast and visual tone from the very beginning.

His work on Star Fox helped establish Nintendo’s approach to character-driven action games and remains foundational to the series’ identity decades later.

F-Zero and Nintendo’s Sci-Fi Edge

In addition to Star Fox, Imamura played a major role in F-Zero, designing the striking appearance of Captain Falcon. The character’s sharp helmet, bold colors, and futuristic aesthetic became instantly iconic and later propelled Captain Falcon to worldwide fame through the Super Smash Bros. series.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Imamura also contributed significantly to The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, one of Nintendo’s most artistically daring titles. His work on character and visual design supported the game’s surreal, unsettling atmosphere and emotional depth, helping distinguish it as one of the most unique entries in the Zelda franchise.

Leadership, Direction & Later Nintendo Years

Over his 30+ year career at Nintendo, Imamura worked on numerous projects not only as an artist, but also as a director and creative lead, mentoring younger developers and helping guide Nintendo’s visual direction across generations.

His influence can be felt not only in specific characters, but in Nintendo’s broader approach to bold, readable, and personality-driven design.

Independent Work & Manga Career

After leaving Nintendo, Takaya Imamura began a new chapter as an independent creator and manga artist. He continues to develop original IPs, blending his decades of game development experience with storytelling through illustration and comics. His first outing was the highly acclaimed Manga Omega 6 that got a text adventure on the Nintendo Switch as well. The manga has been released in Japan, France and the US so far.

He is currently involved in new game projects and creative collaborations, including work with other legendary Japanese creators.

Legacy and Impact

Takaya Imamura is widely regarded as one of the key architects of Nintendo’s visual identity. From Star Fox and F-Zero to Majora’s Mask, his work has left a permanent mark on video game history.

Known for his openness, humor, and deep behind-the-scenes knowledge, Imamura is a highly engaging speaker who offers rare insight into Nintendo’s creative process during its most influential years. His appearances provide fans and professionals alike with a direct connection to the people who shaped gaming’s most iconic worlds. Don’t miss out on booking this iconic legend. 

Location:
– Kyoto