// PROFILE //

Name: Kaneko Kazuma (金子 一馬)
Alias: Demon Artist
Age: 43 years old
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Birthdate: September 20, 1964
Occupation: Illustrator
Influences: Araki Hirohiko, Maruo Suehiro
Habits: Smoking...A LOT! :)

   Most recognized from his artistic work done in Atlus' Megami Tensei games(specifically the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series), Kaneko Kazuma has definitely made a name for himself. His old style molded into something fresh, new, unique, and some might say even 'dark' as we see it today. Though many of his older character artwork has either been altered or retouched(as seen in the gallery below with Shin Megami Tensei's heroine in red). His own interpretations on folklore and mythological gods, goddesses, and demons have definitely caught people's interest in his work. It's enough to get to want you to even learn about these characters as well(I know I did). Many of his other character designs not related in the mythological category, are also attention grabbers. In an interview, he described that some of his character's personalities were brought out in his or her's physical appearance as well in the clothing he or she wore(whether it came down to style, colors, etc). I'm sure the character that everyone is pretty much familiar with is Jack Frost. Whom he based his design on the English folklore elf creature, and which officially became the mascot for Atlus' company.

   In February 2003, there was an exhibit held in Tokyo showing new and revised artwork from the Shin Megami Tensei 3 video game. For those wondering, Kaneko has not only made character art and designs for video games but novels as well. He also has a few artbooks out which some say are extremely hard to find. But I'm sure if you look hard enough, you will be able to find them. Most notably, the 'Kaneko Kazuma Works' books, since they were released in the early 2000s with more volumes coming out in the near future. Complication artbooks also contain a few of his original designs as well as other Megami Tensei artwork not yet available in any of his own artbooks.

   There are many great video game illustrators out there, but I feel that Kaneko brings something different into the industry. Something I feel that a person wouldn't get tired of looking at and would want to see more of what this man can do.

// GALLERY //
This is just a small sample of his work! If you like what you see, I REALLY suggest buying the artbooks containing his work! (These images were not scanned by me, but rather a friend, Kei! Go visit his site to see more of Kaneko's work and other awesome artist!)

// ARTBOOKS //
Kaneko Kazuma Graphics - Pandaemonium: Demons vol. 1
Kaneko Kazuma Graphics - Pandaemonium: Demons vol. 2
Kaneko Kazuma Graphics - Pandaemonium: Character volume
Kaneko Kazuma Graphics - Megami Tensei Mokushiroku
Kaneko Kazuma Works - Volume 1
Kaneko Kazuma Works - Volume 2
Kaneko Kazuma Works - Volume 3
Shin Megami Tensei Poster Book
Comickers 2003/2005
Color Kingdom vol. 2

// VIDEO GAME TITLES //
Atlus's Maken X/Shao
Atlus's Megami Ibunroku Persona
Atlus's Persona 2: Tsumi/Innocent Sin
Atlus's Persona 2: Batsu/Eternal Punishment
Atlus's Devil Summoner
Atlus's Devil Summoner 2: Soul Hackers
Atlus's Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Soulless Army
Atlus's Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs King Abaddon
Atlus's Kyuuyaku: Megami Tensei
Atlus's Shin Megami Tensei
Atlus's Shin Megami Tensei II
Atlus's Shin Megami Tensei if...
Atlus's Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne & Maniacs
Atlus's Shin Megami Tensei NINE
Atlus's Megami Tensei Online: IMAGINE
Namco's Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II
Atlus's Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 1&2
Konami's Anubis: Zone Of The Enders
Capcom's Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
Banpresto's Super Robot Wars Alpha 3: To the End of the Galaxy
Sega's Romance of the Three Kingdoms DS

// NOVEL COVERS //
Kadono Kouhei's A Case Of Dragonslayer
Kadono Kouhei's Inside The Apocalypse Castle
Kadono Kouhei's The Man In Pirate’s Island
Kadono Kouhei's Some Tragedies Of No-Tear Land
Kikuchi Yuuki's The World Rotated Spirally He said, "LUV U 4 EVER"