In recent years, an abundance of talented Japanese artists have begun to share their work on Twitter, to the appreciation of many. Whether it’s mind-blowing 3D art, dark and deep thought-provoking illustrations, or animals transformed with fantasy-inspired anthropomorphism, there seems to be no end of new styles and artwork to discover. イラストボードやキャンバスにアクリルとガッシュで描いてます。美しいカワイイを伝えるのが目標。5月に個展やりますのでお願いだから来て#私の作品もっと沢山の人に広がれ祭り pic.twitter.com/og4orqm8Ez — 撫子凛 (@nadeshicorin) 2018年3月10日 Born in Chiba prefecture, illustrator and graphic designer Nadesico Rin’s style focuses on more traditional aspects of Japanese art and culture. On her official website, she cites a love for Japanese art and culture, the aesthetic of which has raised her and led her to the focus of her artwork. The primary focus…

There might not be a friendlier subject to artists than animals. With their adorable charm and fascinating quirks, they can provide a creative inspiration for everything from giant creatures that console people in trying times, to super-realistic and creepy masks. Japanese illustrator Tobihachi (@tonbippo08), however, seems to find the expressive nature and striking aesthetic of animals as a point of interest, specializing in giving them human characteristics and even nationalities in an ongoing series of brilliant artwork. Source: @tonbippo08 As an illustrator, Tobihachi focuses on animals and anthropomorphism. It’s a little different from the gijinka we have looked at before (where Japanese Kit Kat flavors were turned into handsome anime…

Japanese Twitter user and artist Avogado6 doesn’t offer much of a self description, saying only that “I’m an ordinary person who likes chemistry. I create video works,” in their Twitter profile. The nearly daily illustrations that Avogado6 posts have been resonating with people from around the word, however, and communicating such an avalanche of emotions and thoughts, that perhaps there isn’t really much needed to be said. Avogado6’s powerful illustrations are presented only with a title, and while many seem to share a common theme of dark satire, layered symbolism leaves their meaning open to interpretation. Avogado6 has published two collection books, available at their official website. Below are several…

Most people seem to only refer to spirit animals when watching a viral video of a particularly lazy pug or hungry otter, but Japanese illustrator Kubota (@13033303 embraces the concept as source of comfort in hard times expressed through art. Kubota specializes in drawing larger-than-life animals and mythical creatures, but a recent series of gigantic cuddly animals consoling humans who have had a bad day has been warming the hearts of thousands on Twitter. Source: @13033303 つらい人のところに現れてとりあえず元気づけようとしてくれる生き物 pic.twitter.com/wXJ7VzISU6 — もの久保 (@13033303) 2018年2月10日 Source: @13033303 疲れた人のところに現れてとりあえず添い寝してくれる生き物 pic.twitter.com/8dqT9eQ6JT — もの久保 (@13033303) 2018年2月7日 Source: @13033303 がんばっている人のところに現れてとりあえず胸（お腹）を貸してくれる生き物 pic.twitter.com/QbCv2k6q50 — もの久保 (@13033303) 2018年2月13日 Each Tweet comes with a tagline of a “a creature that suddenly…

Sometimes, the mere thought of opening a spreadsheet instills an overwhelming pang of mundane work-related thoughts in a human being. However, as we’ve seen before with the Michelangelo of Microsoft Excel, certain creative geniuses can use the office tool to produce amazing artwork. Japanese Twitter user and Excel wizard @Maruraba_2 might just be the very best going at, making incredible anime artwork using Excel! 素人「絵描きソフト、いっぱい種類あるから分からない…どれがオススメですか？」 ｷﾁｶﾞｲ「Excel」#Excelアート pic.twitter.com/KdgaAuZKHb — まるらば@Excelアート (@Maruraba_2) 2018年1月21日 The original Tweet that’s garnered attention references a conversation @Maruraba_2 has probably often had, where people ask “There are so many art software programs, I don’t know where to start–do you have a recommendation?” to which they wryly reply…

In a series called “Father and Sons Design Workshop Illustrations”, Tokyo-based French anime artist Thomas Romain (Symphogear, Space Dandy, Aria, Macross Delta, and Basquash!) takes the imaginative sketches of his two sons and uses his skills as a professional animation creator to flesh them out as full-blown creative collaborations. The illustrations span across all genres, introducing fantastical one-eyed monsters and cyberpunk heroes showing off the sons’ creative capacity for dreaming up a variety of characters and worlds. The series, which Romain hopes to put together in a book when all is said and done, certainly shows off two distinct artistic styles, but also gives insight into the potential world-building and…

Illustrator Cioccolatodorima has a flair for creative artwork, but what he really seems to do well is what’s known in Japan as gijinka (擬人化). Gijinka is Japanese for “personification” or “anthropomorphism”, and in modern usage typically refers to an art style that humanizes animals or inanimate objects with an anime aesthetic that displays characteristics of the original model. Cioccolatodorima is applying his talent in that regard to the various flavors of Kit Kat, which includes Japan’s never-ending lineup of exciting flavors like melon and mascarpone cheese, or flavors set to match your birthstone. Over the past year or so, Cioccolatodorima has created a series of artwork that brings the various…

Gift-giving customs in Japan runs deep. Whether it be within the workplace, a wedding, or the importance of wrapping the gift itself, there are many facets to the culture of gift giving in Japan than make it a special act. While this isn’t necessarily true of sending packages, an awarding winning design by Japanese stationery company Kokuyo is giving you the option of adding an extra level of personalization to the packages you send in the form of your very own manga strip! Manga Tape previously was honored at the 2016 Kokuyo Design Awards, and is now set to be realized with its very own release. The strip of tape…

By now you may be familiar with the work of Tokyo-based French anime artist Thomas Romain (Symphogear, Space Dandy, Aria, Macross Delta, and Basquash!), who literally illustrates the artistic bond he shares with his two sons in a series of artwork titled “Father and Sons Design Workshop Illustrations”. In it, Romain takes the creative sketches of his sons and applies his skill as a talented professional animator to bring them to life with an awesome anime aesthetic. Romain told us the project has given his eldest son inspiration to become an animator himself, and he also mentions that one day he wants to collect them all and make a book…

It’s a given that life has a bottomless stock of awkward moments for us to experience. But we tend to forget that we’re all human, and a lot of what we go through are relatable to the vast majority of people just trying to live their lives. Japanese illustrator Takayuki Yamada jots down such moments and turns them into relatable haikus written alongside ukiyoe-style illustrations. Though a web designer by day, in his free time the Fukuoka-based artist conjures his alter ego Yamada Zenjidou, a haiku poet from the Bakumatsu-Meiji periods living in a modernized society. Using the voice of Zenjidou, Yamada creates artwork reminiscent of traditional Japanese art that…

As many dads in Japan have proved, a little bit of creativity goes a long way when it comes to putting a smile on their kids’ faces. But while some fathers might turn their children’s sketches into professionally designed anime characters, Japanese comedian Takafumi Ozeki reproduces his daughter’s cute drawings as accurately as he can into heartwarming, handmade character bento lunches. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Ozeki’s adorable creations, but it looks like he’s come far from the days when he worried he would make an awkward impression on his daughter’s teacher. This year for Father’s Day, his daughter requested he turn a drawing she made of him…

Japanese online retailer Felissimo’s YOU+MORE! series (a play on the pronunciation of “humor” in Japanese) has featured some pretty adventurous products in past, including smartphone cases that let you simulate scratching a happy Shiba Inu’s belly, as well as scented lip gloss that replicates kissing a wet cat nose. Now the company combining belly-rubbing and fragrance and upping their creativity with scratch and sniff sheets scented with the fragrance of cat and Shiba Inu bellies! Source: PR Times Source: PR Times The sheets are exactly as described–stationery pads that depict happy-go-lucky Shiba Inu and cats exposing their bellies for stomach rubs. If you scratch or rub your fingers on the…

Tokyo-based French anime artist Thomas Romain (Symphogear, Space Dandy, Aria, Macross Delta, and Basquash!) makes the best of his profession and his father-and-son play time by taking the sketches drawn by his two sons and applying his craft to turn them into amazingly illustrated anime characters. While some have commented that they feel this upstages the original drawings, it’s a collaborative effort that the children seem to be happily providing creative fuel for with very imaginative sketches. Romain and his sons call it the “Father and Sons Design Workshop Illustrations”, and hope to put it all together in one collection one day. Here’s a quick detailing of the process. 親子デザイン工房の描き方。タイムラプス動画を編集してみました！Steampunk…

We’ve seen some touching efforts from dads in Japan this year, whether it be turning a cardboard Nintendo Switch into an actual one or an anime artist turning his sons’ doodles into professional quality illustrations. Takafumi Ozeki, one half of Japanese comedy duo The Geese, can add his name to that list. The father and comedian prepares artistic character bento lunch boxes for his daughter in Kindergarten based on her requests. Adorable enough as that is, Ozeki recently got a very peculiar request from his daughter for her next bento. Instead of just asking him to make a specific character, she handed him a sketch of how she wanted her…

While anime character heavyweights such as Goku, Luffy, Sailor Moon, and Naruto have been named as official “ambassadors” of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, an official mascot has yet to be selected. That’s because the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Organizing Committee is offering one lucky winner the chance to design the mascot themselves, with 1,000,000 yen ($8,975 USD) for the winner, and 100,000 yen ($896 USD) for finalists as incentive. Source: IOC/IPC/Tokyo2020 Guidelines state that the contest is open to both Japanese and foreign residents of Japan, and applicants are required to submit a mascot design for both the Olympic and Paralympic games with a text profile of the characters. As…