Amano

Amano is a Japanese surname and, less commonly, a given name. It is most often written 天野, a combination of kanji meaning “heaven” or “sky” and “field.” The name is widespread in Japan and, like many surnames, originates from geographic features or place names associated with a family. It can also appear in diaspora communities outside Japan.

Notable individuals with the surname include Yoshitaka Amano (born 1952), a Japanese artist and illustrator renowned for his fantasy artwork and his long-running collaboration with the Final Fantasy video game series. His ethereal style and distinctive line work have influenced contemporary fantasy art and game aesthetics. Other people named Amano have appeared in various fields such as academia, sports, and media, though fewer have achieved international recognition.

In addition to being a surname, Amano may appear in fictional works as a character name and in brand names in Japan and elsewhere, reflecting its broad adoption as a cultural surname rather than a single, centralized entity.