Monty B
Member Since January 2006
443 Artworks | Watched by 101

Yasushi Nirazawa - Hellboy Movie - 2002 - Abe Sapien - Concept Illustration

71  Views  -  5  Comments  -  5  Likes

Artwork Details
Location: Movie Concept Artwork - Hellboy (2004)
Title: Yasushi Nirazawa - Hellboy Movie - 2002 - Abe Sapien - Concept Illustration
Artist:  Yasushi Nirazawa (All)
Media Type: Mixed Media
Art Type: Illustration
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 71
Likes on CAF: 5
Comments: 5
Added to Site: 12/17/2025

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Description
Gorgeous original concept color Illustration of Abe Sapien for the original Hellboy movie, by the great late Japanese illustrator Yasushi Nirazawa (1963-2016). This piece was published on page 53 of the „Hellboy - The Art of the Movie“ book (2004).

I love the little story that Guillermo del Toro told in the lead-up to his first Bleakhouse auction :
"Nirasawa-San and Terada-San took me drinking and bingeing on Sushi one fateful night in Tokyo. We went to a small, tiny restaurant owned, I believe, by Nirasawa-San's father. That night Nira-San gave me a few copies of his toy 'Jar of Pus', and we talked about them both concepting for Hellboy for a few days. Nira-San called dibs on Abe, immediately. Pieces done by short-term collaborators, like Terada-San, Jose Fors, or Nirasawa-San inspired us all. In my opinion, Nirasawa-San is one of the very, very greatest fantasy sculptors and designers in Modern Japanese culture.”
From the collection of Guillermo del Toro.

About The Owner

Member Since: January 2006
Last Login: April 2026
Country: Not Specified
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Damon Wright Member Since 2008
1    
Posted On 12/17/2025

This is fantastic!

Duke  Fleed Member Since 2013
1    
Posted On 12/17/2025

Beautiful work!

Marcus Wai Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 12/18/2025

Both great interpretations by Nirazawa as the Mignola art wouldn't break it down to this level of realism for the screen.

George H Member Since 2009
1    
Posted On 12/22/2025

So cool to see! Thanks so much for sharing and congrats.

K Gearon Member Since 2011
1    
Posted On 4/16/2026

Movie concept art is always great to see, that process, and how is stands next to the final look.  Also dig the color work here lots, too.  Congrats!