Hitomi studied Art and Design at Musashino Art University. She had a particular interest in nail art, and decided to leave university to pursue this passion, drawing inspiration from animations and paintings for her work. Via her work she met singer Yoko Takahashi, and formed a bond which saw her become Takahashi’s personal manicurist, with her being responsible for creating a wide range of nail art featuring figures from Evangelion.
Her love of drawing as a child inspired her to study design at an art college after graduating from high school. Throughout her studies, she searched for a career path that would allow her to both utilise her art skills and to work with people. Becoming a manicurist seemed to fit the bill, and so she withdrew from university and began attending nail school. Upon graduation, she began working in a nail salon.
Having now worked in the field for over 10 years, she has no regrets about her chosen career path, as it has allowed her to meet many people and forge relationships with them.
Her salon work has allowed her to connect with Yoko Takahashi, and she has now been doing Yoko’s nails for a long time. Her designs for Yoko always have Evangelion at their core, and she tries to create art that, alongside the costumes and performances, conveys that world. She tries to do justice to Yoko Takahashi and Evangelion, both of which are loved around the world.
These days, the demand for human-made art is growing in Japan. She seeks to create art that allows people to feel the surprise and emotion of seeing art expressed on such a small canvas as a nail.
