Photo courtesy of DNP. © khara

Source: DNP Publishing press release

The "DNP Publishing IP Business Project" promoted by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP), in collaboration with Tohan Co., Ltd., will hold a commemorative art exhibition at Ogaki Bookstore Azabudai Hills from Saturday, April 5 to Wednesday, April 30, 2025 to commemorate the release of Mahiro Maeda That's Art Book (雑 前田真宏 雑画集, Zatsu Maeda Mahiro Zatsu Gashū), the long-awaited first art collection by Maeda Masahiro, who is celebrating his 40th anniversary as an artist. There will also be an exhibition of illustrations from the art collection, and original goods will be on sale.

The special website for the exhibition will be available on the Ogaki Bookstore homepage starting Wednesday, March 26.

■ Mahiro Maeda Profile

Mahiro Maeda was born in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture in 1963, originally from Yonago, Tottori Prefecture. He is an animation director, animator, designer, and manga artist affiliated with the animation department of khara Inc.

While studying at Tokyo Zokei University, he participated as an animator in works such as SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS (超時空要塞マクロス, Chōjikū Yōsai Makurosu, 1982-83), DAICON IV OPENING ANIMATION (1983), and NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (風の谷のナウシカ, Kaze no Tani no Naushika, 1984). In 1985, he began to work on Gainax productions in earnest, and was responsible for key animation, setting, and direction for ROYAL SPACE FORCE: THE WINGS OF HONNEAMISE (王立宇宙軍~オネアミスの翼, Ōritsu Uchūgun: Oneamisu no Tsubasa, 1987), GUNBUSTER (トップをねらえ!, Toppu o Nerae!, 1988-89), and NADIA: THE SECRET OF BLUE WATER(ふしぎの海のナディア, Fushigi no Umi no Nadia, 1990-91), and character designs for NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン, Shin Seiki Evangerion, 1995-96). In 1988, he directed his first animation, the music video for Tomoyasu Hotei's DANCING WITH THE MOONLIGHT.

In 1992, he participated in the establishment of Gonzo Co., Ltd. He  worked on the world's first fully digital OVA, BLUE SUBMARINE NO. 6 (青の6号, Ao no Roku-gō, 1998-2000) and the anime GANKUTSUOU: THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (巌窟王, Gankutsuō, 2005-08). In 2012, he joined khara Inc. and was put in charge of directing, scriptwriting, image boards, storyboards, and design works for the movie EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO (ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版: Q, Evangerion Shin Gekijōban: Kyū). He was in charge of concept art and design for the movies MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015) and SHIN GODZILLA (シン・ゴジラ, Shin Gojira, 2016). In 2021, he was the co-director, concept art director, storyboard artist and design artist for the movie EVANGELION: 3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME (シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版:𝄂, Shin Evangerion Gekijōban:𝄂).

He created monster designs for the Heisei Gamera trilogy (1995-99) and the anime KAIJU NO. 8 (怪獣8号, Kaijū Hachigō, 2024). Most recently, he has been working on the designs, storyboards, and detail works for the theatrical version of MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM GQuuuuuX -Beginning- (機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, Kidō Senshi Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-) which was released in January 2025.

■ Mahiro Maeda That's Art Book Details

A spectacular collection of works looking back on the life of Mahiro Maeda and the vast body of work he has been involved in, highlighting the individuality that shaped him as both an artist and a person through the historical background, anime history, and the words of those who lived through this era with him. This book collects as much material as possible, from image sketches drawn at the early planning stage to intermediate deliverables produced during the brush-up process, and even large-scale drawings. With a total of over 100 pieces, including previously unpublished works, and approximately 30 works, this art book comprehensively records Maeda Mahiro's career. 

Release Date: February 28, 2025 (Japan)
Price: 6,600円 (Approximately $44.20 U.S., Tax Included)
Format: Softcover, 240 pages
Specifications: 25 x 21 x 1.5 cm (9.8 × 8.3 × 0.6 Inches)
ISBN: 978-4334103620
Publisher: Kobunsha

■ Mahiro Maeda That's Art Book Special Edition Details

The special edition includes valuable bonuses that cannot be found anywhere else, and is a slightly larger B4 modified size (approximately 30.6 x 25.7 cm) than the ormal edition, allowing you to enjoy Mahiro Maeda's impressive collection of works on a large scale.

Release Date: February 28, 2025 (Japan)
Price: 19,800円 (Approximately $132.60 U.S., Tax Included)
Format: Softcover, 240 pages
Specifications: 30.6 x 25.7 x 2 cm (12 × 10 × 0.8 Inches)
ISBN: 978-4334105075
Publisher: Kobunsha

■ Exhibition Contents

Selected works from Mahiro Maeda That's Art Book will be exhibited as high definition reproductions using DNP's output technology Primo Art. With DNP's technology that faithfully reproduces the color tone and texture of the original artwork, attendees can enjoy reproductions that are as faithful as possible to the original. In addition, works that Mahiro Maeda created specifically for this exhibition will also be on display

■ Original Goods

Original goods will be on sale at the exhibition. These will include "high definition postcards" made with  Primo Art, which is also used in the exhibited works, "special printing art" using foil printing, and many other limited edition products with original artwork.

The full lineup of goods will be released on a special site on the Ogaki Bookstore homepage. starting Wednesday, March 26th.

■ Exclusive Gifts

◆Attendees who purchase Mahiro Maeda That's Art Book at the exhibition will receive one bonus illustration card, while supplies last.

◆Attendees who purchase 3,300 yen (Approximately $22.10 U.S., Tax Included) or more in original goods at the exhibition will receive one of two "EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO Mahiro Maeda Image Board" (『ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：Ｑ』前田真宏イメージボード,  Evangerion Shin Gekijōban: Kyū Maeda Mahiro Imēji Bōdo) bonus postcards.

Two EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO postcards will be available to customers. Photo courtesy of DNP. © khara

■ Mahiro Maeda That's Art Book Commemorative Art Exhibition Details

Description: Exhibition of reproductions of paintings and sale of original goods

Period: Saturday, April 5 -  Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Hours: 11:00am - 8:00pm (open daily during the exhibition period) *Subject to the business hours of Ogaki Shoten Azabudai Hills Store.

Place: Ogaki Shoten Azabudai Hills Store

　　　　　　Azabudai Hills Tower Plaza 4F, 1-3-1 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo

　　　　　　TEL: 03-5570-1700

Admission: Free

Organizers: Dai Nippon Printing (DNP), Tohan Co.

Planning Cooperation: Color Co.

Operation Cooperation: Ogaki Shoten Co.

*Please note that the contents are subject to change.