Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano drew collaboration art for Guillermo del Toro 's The Shape of Water film, which opened in Japan on Thursday. The fantasy drama film about a mute woman and a humanoid amphibious creature is nominated for 13 awards at the 90th Academy Awards, which will be held this Sunday.

Amano said he imagined the creature's original underwater home when he drew the illustration. Regarding the film, Amano said, "It's wonderful. 60s and 70s America is an era I like, and I like this film very much." He added that the film reminded him of his own time living in America.

Amano regularly draws collaboration and tribute art. He is most well known for his contributions to Vampire Hunter D and the Final Fantasy series, as well as his collaboration with English graphic novelist Neil Gaiman on Sandman: The Dream Hunters. He has been in the anime industry since he was 15, when he joined the veteran studio Tatsunoko Production , and has contributed to many anime and video game projects.

Del Toro decided not to direct the upcoming Pacific Rim Uprising sequel film due to the scheduling of The Shape of Water .

Source: Eiga.com