Amano goes to Rome: A monumental celebration of pop culture’s myth-maker

From the pixelated realms of Final Fantasy to the ink-splashed pages of The Sandman, Yoshitaka Amano has etched his fantastical vision across generations—and now, Europe’s most expansive retrospective of the legendary artist lands in Rome. Amano: Corpus Animae, opening March 28th at the Museo di Roma in Palazzo Braschi, is not just an exhibition. It’s a mythological odyssey into the mind of one of pop culture’s most iconic illustrators.

Curated by Fabio Viola and brought to life by Lucca Comics & Games, this epic showcase spans more than 50 years of Amano’s singular career. With over 200 original works, cult objects, and animation cels on display, fans can expect everything from his early Tatsunoko designs (Gatchaman, Hurricane Polymar) to his haunting covers for Vampire Hunter D and his era-defining imagery for the Final Fantasy series. Yes, those ethereal logos and elegant character sheets will be there—some unveiled for the first time in Europe.

But Corpus Animae doesn’t just revel in nostalgia. It carves out fresh ground with never-before-seen collaborations, including artwork with fantasy legend Michael Moorcock and exclusive tributes to Puccini, crafted for the centenary celebrations of Lucca Comics. You’ll even find tactile pieces designed for visually impaired fans, underscoring Amano’s mission to make magic accessible to all.

Spread across five immersive sections—including Game Master and Icons—the exhibition explores Amano’s collision with Western pop culture through his Batman and Sandman covers, a Japanese poster for The Shape of Water, and even a tribute to David Bowie.

For fans of anime, gaming, comics, and myth-twisting fantasy, Amano: Corpus Animae isn’t just an event—it’s a pilgrimage. Step into the world where gods wear capes, and dreams are drawn in ink and gold.