Mamoru Nagano

Mamoru Nagano (永野 護) is a renowned Japanese manga artist, animator, and mecha designer, born on January 21, 1960, in Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture. He began his professional career in the 1980s, working with Yoshiyuki Tomino on “Heavy Metal L-Gaim,” where he first gained recognition for his unique mecha designs. He later contributed to “Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam,” designing notable mobile suits like the Rick Dias and Hyaku-Shiki.

Nagano is best known as the creator of the manga series The Five Star Stories, which debuted in 1986. The series is famous for its intricate and elegant mecha designs, known as Mortar Heads (later Fatimas and Gothicmades), characterized by their tall, ornate, and stylized forms. These designs set a new standard in the genre, emphasizing form and aesthetic over traditional realism.

Beyond manga, Nagano directed and created the anime film Gothicmade: Hana no Utame in 2012, where he handled writing, design, and production. He also contributed character costume designs to the Tekken video game series.

Nagano’s distinctive, high-concept artistic style and creative independence have earned him a legendary status among fans and professionals in the world of mecha and science fiction.