Akiman

Akiman is the pseudonym of a Japanese artist and game designer best known for his work with Capcom, particularly on Street Fighter II. Active in the late 1980s and 1990s, he contributed character designs, concept art, and promotional illustrations that helped shape the visual identity of Capcom’s early fighting games. His distinctive style is noted for bold line work and expressive character portraits that contributed to the look of several Street Fighter II characters and to the Darkstalkers series, among other titles.

As an in-house artist at Capcom, Akiman collaborated with a team of designers to create the arcade-era art that defined the company’s early 1990s releases. His work combined manga-inspired figures with dynamic poses, contributing to an iconic aesthetic that characterized the era’s Street Fighter titles. He is frequently mentioned alongside other Capcom artists of the period, such as Bengus, in discussions of the company’s distinctive visual direction.

In addition to character concepts, Akiman’s artwork appeared in promotional materials, manuals, and posters, aiding in the marketing of arcade and home console releases. He remains a reference point for fans of classic Capcom games, with many of his pieces reproduced in art books and retrospective collections. Akiman’s contributions are regarded as an influential part of Capcom’s art lineage, illustrating the collaborative effort that shaped the look of early 1990s fighting games.