Mr. Nagano has gained celebrity for the covers he created among die-hard fans of Star Warsfor the Japanese spin-off novels. Mr. Nagano's gigantic paintings have a dominating presence and possess an artistic luxury. Although his top-notch skills are arguably unparalleled, his modesty only permits him to say, "It is crucial to have great rivals who are talented to keep me motivated." Maintaining his passion for art and cementing his interest in his subjects are equally important for his creations. "In the future, I would like to do a Western history series and would like to work on more movie posters, despite the fact that the current trend is more toward using photo montages," says Mr. Nagano. Member of the Society of Illustrators and the Japan Publication Artist League.