Hiroshi Nagai, one of Japan’s leading illustrators, has captivated audiences with visuals that instantly evoke the season, the breeze, and a sense of pure freedom. From his iconic jacket artwork for Eiichi Ohtaki’s "A LONG VACATION" to numerous other creations, his vivid colors and crystal‑clear atmosphere have left an indelible mark on generations of viewers.

Nagai’s signature style draws from formative experiences: a forty‑day journey across the United States in the early 1970s, and the palm‑lined streets of his hometown. These memories merge into a visual world where surrealism and pop art meet, creating scenes that feel both nostalgic and dreamlike.

This new art collection brings together rarely seen magazine illustrations and a remarkable selection of newly unearthed works - many published here for the very first time. From early pieces that seem to capture the very air of their era to the refined expressions of his recent years, the book traces how “the memory of that summer” has evolved while remaining a constant presence in Nagai’s artistic vision.

With each turn of the page, an ideal landscape unfolds—familiar yet existing nowhere in reality. The world Hiroshi Nagai has etched into the memories of audiences across generations and borders rises vividly once again, moving fluidly between Then and Now.