Hiroo Isono


Hiroo Isono was a Japanese painter and illustrator known for his detailed forest landscapes and nature‑themed imagery. His work has been exhibited in Japanese museums, including the memorial exhibition Eternal Forest at the Furukawa Art Museum’s Furusawa Saburō Memorial Hall in 2023.

Biography

Hiroo Isono was a Japanese painter active in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His work continued to be exhibited posthumously, including a major memorial exhibition in 2023 at the Furukawa Art Museum’s Furusawa Saburō Memorial Hall.

Artistic style

Isono’s paintings are characterized by detailed depictions of forests, natural light, and atmospheric landscapes, themes highlighted in the 2023 memorial exhibition Eternal Forest. The exhibition materials emphasize his focus on nature and his recurring use of forest imagery.

Video game artwork

Isono contributed key visual artwork to several titles in the Mana series, published by Square Enix. He provided the main visual for Final Fantasy Adventure in 1991, and continued illustrating for the series with titles such as Secret of Mana in 1993 and Heroes of Mana in 2007.

Exhibitions

A major memorial exhibition, Isono Hiroo Painting Exhibition – Eternal Forest, was held at the Furukawa Art Museum’s Furusawa Saburō Memorial Hall in Nagoya from 21 October to 17 December 2023.
A secondary listing also documents the exhibition and its thematic focus on forests and natural environments.

Legacy

Isono’s work continues to be exhibited and promoted by the Furukawa Art Museum, which maintains institutional information about the artist and his exhibitions. His paintings remain recognized for their focus on forests and natural landscapes, themes emphasized in posthumous exhibitions.