Known by the pen name “Yas”, this legendary animator and manga author defined 80s character design with Mobile Suit Gundam, Crusher Joe, and the Dirty Pair novels. In addition to his design work, Yoshikazu has directed films such as Arion and Venus Wars—both of which adapt his comics of the same names. But perhaps beyond his contributions to animation, Yas’s manga career is immense, including numerous historical comics and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin—a reimagining of the series he helped create. Speaking of Gundam, he recently slid back into the director’s chair to helm 2022’s Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island.