Hiroaki

Hiroaki (ヒロアキ, born on July 9 in Marugame, Kagawa), whose full name is speculated to be Hiroaki Hashimoto (ハシモト ヒロアキ, Hashimoto Hiroaki), is an illustrator who was hired by SNK before its bankruptcy. He attended Osaka University Arts for a design major but quit after a year to join SNK in 1998. After SNK dissolved, he was a freelancer for a year until he was rehired by the revived SNK-Playmore. He is best known to fans for his work in Buriki One and the more recent The King of Fighters iterations.

His art is known for its quasi-realistic take on characters, giving them an unique polished look (almost like an oil painting) with humanistic proportions. He strives to sketch the characters he's assigned in "confident and daring poses" so that their fans can feel prouder to use them. His biggest personal lament are the female and popular characters, as he struggles to make them charming as well as not "outshining" the others.

He's considered by many members of the company to be the protege of Shinkiro. Their teacher-student relationship started when Shinkiro asked him to create a poster for The King of Fighters 2000. He was personally critiqued by the veteran artist on his technique and coloring of the piece, which Hiroaki has taken to heart ever since. They continued to bounce back their thoughts and ideas until the company disbanded. In an interview with the company's artists, he relates his biggest pressure for King of Fighters is "matching Shinkiro's quality" as the latter's art has been in the minds of fans for years.

SNK Works

 * Buriki One
 * Kizuna Encounter (character designer for the unreleased Kizuna Encounter Special Edition, promotional)
 * Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition (promotional)
 * Garou: Mark of the Wolves (promotional)
 * The King of Fighters (2000-2003 -various promotional art; XI -main illustrator)
 * The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood (promotional)
 * The King of Fighters EX2
 * The King of Fighters 2001 ~ More Than Human (light novel by Ureshino: art)
 * The King of Fighters 2001 ~ The Gods Themselves (light novel by Ureshino: art)
 * The King of Fighters '94: Rebout - main illustrator
 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match (cover, promotional)
 * The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match - main illustrator
 * The King of Fighters: Orochi Saga (cover, promotional)
 * The King of Fighters: NESTS Saga (cover, promotional)
 * The King of Fighters
 * The King of Fighters 2
 * SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters 2 Expand Edition - for select rare cards
 * SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS - for select rare cards
 * Neo Geo Battle Coliseum (cover, promotional)
 * Garou Densetsu The Legend of Wild Wolf
 * Garou Densetsu Special