23 June 2026·4 min read·By Kai Nakamura

Yoshitaka Amano's New Anime: What to Expect

Final Fantasy illustrator Yoshitaka Amano is bringing his dark-fantasy vision to life in the new animated series ZAN.

ZAN is coming. It's the massive new dark-fantasy anime series from legendary artist and character designer Yoshitaka Amano, and if you know anything about classic fantasy gaming, you already recognize his iconic, flowing character designs that have defined the visual identity of the Final Fantasy series for decades. So now, he's taking the driver's seat for a major new animation project that promises to bring his unique canvas to life.

The announcement also comes with a major business move. Yoshitaka Amano Inc. has officially launched, headquartered in Los Angeles, California. This new branch will be running the production of the anime, backed by a heavyweight team of veteran animators, directors, and writers. We are incredibly close to getting our first real look at this project, so let us break down what you need to know about this upcoming release.

From Art Project to Global Anime Series

This project has been cooking for a very long time. It's been simmering since 2010, when the anime's setting first emerged as an art project called "Deva Zan" that showcased over 300 original pieces created by Amano, and Dark Horse Comics even published an official art book for it back in 2013. But it's finally here.

But the road to the screen wasn't simple. Originally, the project was planned as a 3D anime movie developed by Studio Devaloka, Amano's film production company, but after years of complete silence, a major pivot was revealed in 2022. The movie plan was scrapped. And the project was restructured into an anime series instead.

So what does this mean for you? No fix needed. The series will blend Amano's original and newly created artwork with hand-drawn animation to construct a dark fantasy world. The production team is collaborating with international partners to turn Amano's art into a global brand of animations, collectibles, and experiences.

The Heavyweight Animation Team

You cannot make a premium animated series without top-tier talent. No fix needed. Here is the creative lineup working on the series:

Masashi Ikeda (Inuyasha, Gundam Wing) is serving as Director of Animation.
Toru Toshida (Armored Trooper VOTOMS, Gundam Seed) is serving as Director of Animation.
Moriyasu Taniguchi (Samurai Champloo, Vinland Saga) is the Principal Animator.
Ryosuke Takahashi (Armored Trooper VOTOMS, The Fable) is handling Series Composition.
Yuya Takashima (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, The Fable) is a Writer.
Kunio Ogawara (Time Bokan, Mobile Suit Gundam) is an Art Director.
Minoru Nishida (Kill Bill, Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006) is an Art Director.

What is the Story About?

Expect plenty of action. No fix needed.

Anime character with spiky hair and halo points up

"A thrilling sci-fi action fantasy that crosses time and space, woven with stylish heroes and an exhilarating storyline. Japan’s finest anime creators unite to produce a high-quality animated work crafted for the global market. Featuring relentless battles against powerful rivals and dynamic sword-fighting action led by the protagonist."

The Expanded Amano Immersive Art Exhibition

But here's even more good news if you're a fan of Amano's broader artistic portfolio. It's expanding globally. A large-scale, multisensory art and entertainment exhibition named "AMANO" is officially expanding, and it's already held successful events in Italy and Brazil, so now it's heading to a global audience.

The exhibition is expanding to the United States, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Japan. It's designed to be fully interactive, and visitors will move through physical and digital environments to engage directly with the artwork rather than just staring at paintings on a wall. But this rollout isn't scheduled to begin until 2027. That's a long wait.

Exclusive Limited-Edition Merchandise

If you plan on visiting the exhibition, you will also have the chance to grab some rare gear. MEDICOM TOY Corporation is planning and producing limited-edition merchandise specifically for the exhibition. Milestone INC. will be supporting the merchandise operations.

But what if you want to see the anime itself? You do not have to wait until 2027 for a preview. No fix needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ZAN and who is the creator behind it?

ZAN is a massive new dark-fantasy anime series from legendary artist and character designer Yoshitaka Amano. It is based on an earlier art project called 'Deva Zan' that featured over 300 original pieces created by Amano.

Why was ZAN restructured from a movie to an anime series?

Originally, the project was planned as a 3D anime movie developed by Studio Devaloka. However, after years of silence, the movie plan was scrapped in 2022 and restructured into an anime series instead.

How does the production of ZAN involve international partners?

The production team is collaborating with international partners to turn Amano's art into a global brand of animations, collectibles, and experiences. The series will blend Amano's original and newly created artwork with hand-drawn animation.

When will the AMANO immersive art exhibition expand globally, and where?

The AMANO exhibition is expanding to the United States, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Japan. However, this rollout is not scheduled to begin until 2027.

Who are some of the key animators and directors working on ZAN?

Masashi Ikeda (Inuyasha, Gundam Wing) and Toru Toshida (Armored Trooper VOTOMS, Gundam Seed) are serving as Directors of Animation. Moriyasu Taniguchi (Samurai Champloo, Vinland Saga) is the Principal Animator.