One of my favorite parts of writing for J-List is stumbling upon illustrators I didn’t know. The world really is a big place, and no matter how much you dig, what you don’t know far surpasses what you do. Some time ago, I wrote about the Skytube’s Ping-Yi 1/4 Bunny Figure. That cast-off figure has infatuated me ever since. This week I wrote about that figure’s sister piece — the Jin-Lian 1/4 Bunny Figure. And again, it was love. But I quickly noticed they had something in common. Skytube based them on illustrations by Tony Taka. But who was that? I’ve heard his name but never checked out his work. When I finally looked, I instantly regretted not doing that sooner. So, let’s talk about Tony Taka and why his art deserves way more love!
A new season is here, and J-List has a new Autumn Sale for you! Through September 21st, enjoy 15% off of all in-stock products shipping from Japan! You can pick up all the high-quality ecchi toys, manga and doujinshi, and hentai anime you could want! Browse all sale products here!
Tony Taka — Kashou’s Newest Obsession!
Whenever I write about artists and content creators, I try not to go too deep. I don’t know what parts of a person’s history are available by choice or because of doxxing. But it’s public knowledge that Tony-sensei was born Takayuki Tanaka in Sendai City way back in 1971. He attended and graduated from an art design college and, after graduating, briefly worked in advertising illustration. But as the man of culture he was, Tony Taka shifted into anime/manga illustrations, and horniness soon followed.
Sometimes all horniness gets you is a porn addiction or an STD. But for Tony-sensei, horniness was the foundation of his success. In his years as an illustrator, he’s created several doujins and eroge and illustrated light novels!
While light novels like Genmukan: Aiyoku to Ryoujoky no Inazi and Eien no Kimi e: Tonari no Imouto are thoroughbred hentai, not all of the light novels he illustrated are R-rated. He illustrated Ichirou Sakaki’s (Outbreak Company) two-volume mecha light novel, Karakuri Onigami Akatsuki.
But most people know Tony Taka from eroge and gaming character designs. And the titles he’s worked on are extensive! Tony-sensei has credits as the artist on the Shining game series. Exstetra, Ghostlop, Street Slam, and Valhellio all credit him as a designer, artist, or illustrator. He even designed Azur Lane’s HMS Centaur and Bikini Warriors’s Valkyrie!
And now…HORNINESS!
While I can pontificate about his work, you’re reading about Tony Taka on J-List, so it’s time for horniness! With decades to his name, Tony-sensei has self-published plenty of doujins, artbooks, and more. A quick browse on the J-List store shows that we stock a few of them, like the Morous Girl Phantom Story, which features Tony Taka’s original characters, and several volumes of Tony Magazine. Those are more like compiled illustrations. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find a couple of Tony’s best-rated doujins. However, if you’re less fuzzy about dodgy sites, I recommend Hitagi Oneside and Watashi wa Kyozetsu Suru! Kamo.
Several of the eroge that Tony Taka worked on are now OVAs. Here are some (to name a few):
- Fault and Fault!! Service: Aratanaru Rival by Studio T-Rex
- Shinshou Genmukan by ChiChinoya
- Sora no Iro, Mizu no Iru by Studio Himajin Planning
- Tony’s Heroine Series: Kanojo wa Hanayome Kouhosei? Cinderella Collection by Studio Melissa
When an artist has such a long history, it’s obvious that their art changes. Tony Taka is no exception. While it’s his recent illustrations that wowed me, there’s something for everyone. If you like older-looking animation, Tony’s early work will impress you. If you’re a Heisen-era otaku, the middle of his catalog will make your heart go doki doki!
You’ve read this far, and now you’re a fan of Tony Taka — now what? Well, you can buy some of his merch, or you can follow him on X.
Did You Like the Tony Taka Spotlight? Do We Spotlight Other Artists?
I know I’ve written articles about an artist’s or producer’s merch in the store, but this was a tad different. Would you all be willing to read more about your favorite R18 illustrators? If you are, let us know on the J-List Discord. As always, thanks for reading. Ja ne!
©Tony Taka
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A new season is here, and J-List has a new Autumn Sale for you! Through September 21st, enjoy 15% off of all in-stock products shipping from Japan! You can pick up all the high-quality ecchi toys, manga and doujinshi, and hentai anime you could want! Browse all sale products here!
