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[Boss Doggie]

His real name is Toshiaki Mori but he goes by the name Shinkiro. He is currently an illustrator for Capcom but before that he was in SNK (funnily enough we'd get to see him do Capcom stuff in Capcom vs. SNK series representing his style on all characters if an SNK groove is selected). Although from what I gathered he also did Capcom illustrations even when he was under SNK.

His style is very distinct, with rather certain faces being common to him. His early works, particularly in his SNK days, had this rather weird... realistic-like texture with some hint of "Clooney" face on males. Has that rather odd "same face" syndrome but somehow it gives his style a catchy look.

He gets better later on, and you can see it on his Capcom art.

although his quirks still show up time to time, like I still see Reggie Fils-Aime's face in Hulk

I wonder what Shinkiro is up to?

 

[Neoxon]

You left out his best one (what should have been UMvC3's box art).

Something bothers me about his take on Spider-Man's eyes, but everything else is beautiful.

And here's what should have been Vanilla MvC3's box art.

Overall he's a fantastic artist, but these days he normally does the art for Vs. games for Capcom. Maybe he's doing SFV now, but who knows.

Spoiler

Capcom, Marvel, please do whatever it takes to get MvC4 to happen. Hell, get Sony to foot the bill, I don't care.

 

[Seven Force]

Was never really a big fan of his work up until his TvC stuff, tbh.

 

[Leafhopper]

My inner SNK fanboy wants more KoF work from him.

 

[Boss Doggie]

You left out his best one.

Something bothers me about his take on Spider-Man's eyes, but everything else is beautiful.

oh god dat ammy and raccoon, his animals are scary that I almost wondered how he managed Friender

 

[Neoxon]

oh god dat ammy and raccoon, his animals are scary that I almost wondered how he managed Friender

I feel like Shinkiro knows how to draw Rocket better than most of Marvel. I'd actually like for him to do the art for a GotG comic sometime. I doubt he will, but a guy can dream.

 

[Kai Dracon]

I've always really appreciated how his art achieves a feeling of solidity and grounded characters without sacrificing stylization. And he has a real eye for indulging in bold color while somehow avoiding a garish mess. The MVC3 illustrations are literally bursting off the page but are totally readable and attractive.

 

[Tizoc]

Ah an opportunity for me to post random Shinkiro artwork!

 

[Boss Doggie]

Was he around in SNK during the third KoF arc (Ash arc)?

Also I wish he'd do art from non-fighters (I know he did a few like Metal Slug X and 3, and Resident Evil and Final Fight). And if he release an artbook I'd buy it.

I feel like Shinkiro knows how to draw Rocket better than most of Marvel. I'd actually like for him to do the art for a GotG comic sometime. I doubt he will, but a guy can dream.

I guess for animals, he does them well in a sideways/angled shot but not front (holy shit r.r.'s face look weird), but for humans he does them well in a non-sideways angle because they have this weird "same-looks" effect (even his TvC work has that).

 

[BadWolf]

Easily one of the most distinct styles out there, love a lot of his work.

 

[Tizoc]

Curiously enough who did Shinkiro base this Nakoruru artwork on?

 

[orioto]

His new stuff is great but come on, his SNK stuff was godly.

It defined a whole brand. A cultural marker for me in videogame history.

 

[Boss Doggie]

His new stuff is great but come on, his SNK stuff was godly.

It defined a whole brand. A cultural marker for me in videogame history.

Not saying his SNK era stuff are bad. It's just that the ones I saw back then were... peculiar. I forgot what KoF was that, but it was depicting the KoF cast in the beach, and was kinda miffed by the "same-face"-y look they had.

 

[Kai Dracon]

Ah an opportunity for me to post random Shinkiro artwork!

Ah yes, the all time number 1 picture for "lords of swag".

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

His snk redos of capcom characters in the two cvs games is some of my favorite art for those characters. Liked his Val Kilmer look for the bionic commando, too.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Was never really a big fan of his work up until his TvC stuff, tbh.

Not a fan of Clooneyface?

 

[Celine]

Shinkiro art (especially SNK related) is godly.

 

[charsace]

I love Shinkiro art. His art always felt classy and elegant to me.

 

[HardRojo]

His SNK stuff is the work of god himself. It's still amazing to browse through it nowadays.

 

[professor denim]

His SNK work is timeless. Love his work

 

[Boss Doggie]

What SNK titles did he skip out on?

 

[orioto]

Also it has to be noted that the guy clearly took a lot from fashion photorgraphy and legendary illustrators. I'm pretty sure he took some notes from Drew struzan for exemple. Shinkiro is really super classy in its influences and in what he bring to videogames.

That's a shame now he's doing posters. I mean it's great but his art was utilized in a stronger way before.

I'm still waiting for him to be the main designer for a new Street Fighter Next models based on his work would be godly.

 

[vg260]

Absolutely my favorite video game artist. Love his work.

 

[chaobreaker]

Shinkiro is godly but his Blanka is terrible.

 

[Leafhopper]

Shinkiro is godly but his Blanka is terrible.

Yeah his CvS stuff was really hit or miss.

 

[Tizoc]

What SNK titles did he skip out on?

I think Garou and Last Blade 2. I don't think he did any artwork for Real Bout 2 or Wild Ambition either?

 

[Ninja Dom]

Shinkiro loves to draw a strong brow.

Nice smiling frowns all around.

KOF 98 pic is stuff of legend. So is the game. The amount of discussions this pic generated when me and my friends first saw it. "What? A King Of Fighters Dinner Party?", "C'mon, c'mon, Terry!! You could have done far better than that outfit!"

 

[digita1alchemy]

His cover for Final Fight One was cool.

 

[DJSharpeCheddar]

I really like photorealistic art in general so Shinkiro is pretty much my favorite video game artist. Love the movie star faces, like how all his Guiles used to be JCVD.

I'm a little puzzled by Sean Connery Sagat though...

That said, the picture is awesome. Wish I could make art like that.

 

[Defunkled]

Are there any Shinkiro art books that you guys would recommend? His KOF era work is my favorite and I would love to own some.

 

[Boss Doggie]

I think Garou and Last Blade 2. I don't think he did any artwork for Real Bout 2 or Wild Ambition either?

I thought he was able to do Fatal Fury outside of Garou?

Also some other fighting titles like Fuun and World Heroes weren't (latter was done by Buronson of Hokuto no Ken I think).

I really like photorealistic art in general so Shinkiro is pretty much my favorite video game artist. Love the movie star faces, like how all his Guiles used to be JCVD.

whoa, didn't see that! You're right!

 

[NoirVisage]

He is one of my all time favorite Gaming Artists, he actually has a style, and he could double as a fashion designer, dude is so sick with his outfits.

 

[CadetMahoney]

I hate that face, eyes too close to the nose mouth or something, glad it's gone never to come back.

 

[sixteen-bit]

His cover for Final Fight One was cool.

dem triceps

 

[L Thammy]

Clooney face? I used to see it as Steven Seagal.

 

[Fisty]

I thought he was able to do Fatal Fury outside of Garou?

Also some other fighting titles like Fuun and World Heroes weren't (latter was done by Buronson of Hokuto no Ken I think).



whoa, didn't see that! You're right!

Thats an Eastwood face right there

 

[DiipuSurotu]

Does he blend photographs in his artwork or does he actually paint all the faces? They are incredibly realistic and consistent.

 

[Loona]

Was he around in SNK during the third KoF arc (Ash arc)?

Nope, IIRC his last KoF assignments were on KoF 2000.

What I really love are his illustrations of characters going about the non-gameplay aspects of their lives - stuff like Terry appearing to prepare for a job interview, Axel Hawk visiting his mom, Mai practicing archery, that sort of thing.

His poster/cover stuff just doesn't have the charm, but that's all I've seen from his Capcom output. Different character development principles from different companies, I guess.

I wish there were an SNK artbook in English compiling that sort of daily life scenes - maybe someday Udon will wise up to the idea, considering the relatively niche topics of some of their artbooks.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

Ah an opportunity for me to post random Shinkiro artwork!

The stylish formal dress artwork has always been a great boon to KoF.

 

[Antiwhippy]

I really like photorealistic art in general so Shinkiro is pretty much my favorite video game artist. Love the movie star faces, like how all his Guiles used to be JCVD.

I'm a little puzzled by Sean Connery Sagat though...

That said, the picture is awesome. Wish I could make art like that.

Love shinkiro but that piece always looked like a 3d render with low quality textures and terrible shaders.

 

[Boss Doggie]

Oh yeah his Capcom stuff don't have the realistic coloring now right? I kinda miss that old realistic feel. I think the last I saw it were TvC and only in certain art.

His cover for Final Fight One was cool.

is dat some random Yamazaki

 

[Mr. X]

Shinkiro, Akiman and Bengis defined video game art for me.

 

[Numb]

The single most pimp image on the internet.

 

[miserable]

is dat some random Yamazaki

i see a random Chang too

 

[Kageshinzo]

To be quite honest, I didn't like his old KoF art style, distinctive as it was. I was more of a Bengus fan myself.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Everybody he draws looks like John Stamos to me.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I never knew his name, but I've always loved his art. Such a distinctive style.

 

[L.O.R.D]

Did you said...shinkrow showkan ?

 

[MegamanPoweredUP]

I always loved his work since KoF.

 

[Boss Doggie]

Ah yes, the all time number 1 picture for "lords of swag".

The single most pimp image on the internet.

Never doubt the power of waterfowls.