Kazuo Oga

Kazuo Oga (born 1952 in Akita Prefecture) is a Japanese art director and background painter, a key figure in the visual look of much anime over recent decades. His work consists of painting the backgrounds against which animated stories unfold, so his contribution shapes the atmosphere of each film.

He began in animation as a background artist and soon moved into art direction at studios such as Madhouse and Studio Ghibli. He worked with leading directors including Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Yoshiaki Kawajiri and Osamu Dezaki. Titles he contributed to include Unico, Ashita no Joe, My Neighbor Totoro and Princess Mononoke, as well as Spirited Away. His style is marked by detailed, warm landscapes with a strong presence of nature.

He also directed an animated short, Taneyamagahara no Yoru (2006), and published two art books. In 2007 a Tokyo museum staged an exhibition devoted to his work, confirming his recognition beyond animation. His legacy lies largely in how his backgrounds gave the films of Studio Ghibli their distinctive visual identity.