Star Wars and Godzilla Illustrator Noriyoshi Ohrai Dies at 79

The 79-year-old artist, born in 1935 in Akashi in Hyogo prefecture, died Tuesday, the author's Facebook profile said.

His early works include illustration of books and newspaper advertisements.

In 1974 he set up his own studio in Miyazaki, where he had moved to live a year earlier.

International recognition came for him in 1980 through the artwork for the international poster of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, the second film of the original trilogy directed by George Lucas.

Ohrai also designed posters for the eight Japanese 'Godzilla' movies and Steven Spielberg's The Goonies in 1995 and collaborated with big franchisees of the video game industry, including the Metal Gear Solid series, produced by Hideo Kojima, and strategy game series Nobunaga's Ambition.

Fans from all over the world paid tribute to the great artist on social networks, including Twitter, where in a single day his name and illustrations appeared in more than 2,600 messages.