Game Creator / Character Designer / Illustrator

Born in 1966, Takaya Imamura graduated from Osaka University of Arts and joined Nintendo in 1989.

During his 32-year career at Nintendo, he contributed to numerous iconic titles, including the F-ZERO series, the Star Fox series, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. For the F-ZERO series, he designed characters such as Captain Falcon and helped establish the series’ distinctive visual style and universe. In the Star Fox series, he created iconic characters including Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, and Wolf O’Donnell, playing a key role in shaping the franchise’s visual identity. He also served as Art Director for The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, contributing to its unique characters and imaginative world.

After leaving Nintendo in 2021, Imamura became a professor at the International Professional University of Technology, where he shares his experience with the next generation of creators. Alongside teaching, he continues to work actively as an illustrator and artist, both in Japan and internationally.

His original science-fiction manga, OMEGA 6, which he wrote and illustrated, has been published in France, Japan, and North America, with the English edition released by Dark Horse Comics. The manga also inspired the video game OMEGA 6: The Triangle Stars, released for Nintendo Switch and Steam.

Beyond visual art and game development, Imamura is also the guitarist of MUSO∞ (Muso Infinity), a band formed with fellow game creators, performing live and exploring his passion for music. In 2027, he is expanding his artistic activities through his own gallery, OMEGA BASE KYOTO, in Kyoto, Japan. The gallery showcases and sells his original illustrations and artwork, reflecting his ongoing passion for creativity beyond the world of video games.