Legendary Gundam and Escaflowne Animator Hirotoshi Sano Receives His Own Museum Exhibition
A major retrospective celebrating the achievements of acclaimed animator Hirotoshi Sano is set to be held at the Tagawa City Museum of Art in Fukuoka Prefecture.
The exhibition, titled The Work of Legendary Animator Hirotoshi Sano, will examine the extensive career of one of anime’s most respected creators.
Sano is widely recognized for serving as mechanical animation director on Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory and Mobile Fighter G Gundam.
Throughout his career, he has contributed to a wide variety of influential anime productions, including Venus Wars, The Vision of Escaflowne, RahXephon, and numerous works within the Gundam series.
The exhibition will look back on his evolution as an animator while showcasing the breadth of projects that have defined his decades-long career.
In addition to his animation work, visitors will be able to explore a significant selection of artwork created through his parallel career as an illustrator.
One of the exhibition’s standout attractions will be the display of more than 1,500 drawings that Sano has continued to create on a regular basis.
These works provide a unique opportunity to observe both his artistic techniques and his creative growth beyond the field of animation.
The exhibition will take place from June 27, 2026 through August 23, 2026 at the Tagawa City Museum of Art in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Admission fees have been set at 1,000 yen for general visitors (approx. $7 USD/ £5 GBP), with a discounted rate of 900 yen available (approx. $6 USD/ £5 GBP).
High school and university students can enter for 500 yen (approx. $3 USD/ £2.50 GBP), with a reduced admission price of 400 yen also available (approx. $3 USD/ £2 GBP).
Elementary and junior high school students will be charged 200 yen (approx. $1 USD/ £1 GBP), while a discounted rate of 100 yen is also offered (approx. $0.70 USD/ £0.50 GBP).
Preschool-aged children will be admitted free of charge.
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