Sebastian Masuda to Release Personal Book Exploring His Identity and Living Truly to Himself

04.June.2018 | FASHION

Sebastian Masuda is an art director whose career as a pioneer of Japan’s ‘kawaii’ culture has taken him around the world where he attracts great support from people regardless of their age, nationality or gender.

 

His new book, Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no ‘Kawaii’ no Mitsukekata (“How to Find the Only ‘Kawaii’ in the World”) will be released on June 11, 2018

 

Masuda is well known as the producer of Harajuku’s concept shop 6%DOKIDOKI which holds many enthusiastic fans. He has also been recognised internationally for his artistic work on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s hit video PONPONPON. His overseas activity shifted into full swing back in 2014 where he held a personal exhibition in New York. Now, he works on the art direction of numerous advertisements and products, is a movie director, the producer of the concept restaurant KAWAII MONSTER CAFE and more. He is also holding lectures and workshops around the world.

Masuda is well known as the producer of Harajuku’s concept shop 6%DOKIDOKI which holds many enthusiastic fans. He has also been recognised internationally for his artistic work on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s hit video PONPONPON. His overseas activity shifted into full swing back in 2014 where he held a personal exhibition in New York. Now, he works on the art direction of numerous advertisements and products, is a movie director, the producer of the concept restaurant KAWAII MONSTER CAFE and more. He is also holding lectures and workshops around the world.

 

Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no ‘Kawaii’ no Mitsukekata explores what ‘self’ is and why Sebastian Masuda went on to start thinking about it.

 

■Information

“Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no ‘Kawaii’ no Mitsukekata” by Sebastian Masuda

Japanese Title: 世界にひとつだけの「カワイイ」の見つけ方

On Sale: June 11, 2018

Price: ¥1,300 (+Tax)

Book Details: https://www.sunmark.co.jp/detail.php?csid=3489-9

 

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    “Aren’t you full yet,” Murakawa asked the audience, before announcing one more song.

     

    CANDY TUNE performed hanamaru again, but unlike the first time, a music video produced in secret for the occasion played on the screen. Sounds of surprise and excitement immediately erupted from those in the audience.

     

    The audience's voltage was at its highest during this performance, which was synchronized with the music video featuring the members in cute cheerleader outfits and a picnic scene that their friendship with one other. Although it was their first time on stage together, the seven members showed as much poise and dignity as their seniors.

     

    At the end, each member shared a message with their fans. “I have a bad habit of second-guessing my own happiness. There have been so many times in my life when I wonder if I should be as happy as I am–but right now, I’m so incredibly overjoyed,” said Fukuyama.

     

    “I was so nervous before we got here,” said Kirihara. “But when I saw all of your faces, I knew from the bottom of my heart that I had made the right choice to become an idol!”

     

    “Even if I’m reborn, I hope to stand on this same stage again,” said Minami while crying.

     

    “I didn’t really feel like an idol until today, and I was so afraid to stand up here in front of a packed audience,” said Ogawa. “I never thought I’d be an idol,” echoed Tachibana. Both showed intense appreciation for the countless fans that had gathered at the venue.

     

    “I will always cherish this moment,” said Miyano. “I hope to make many more memories in the future!”

     

    “I never thought I could care for people so quickly after meeting them,” said Murakawa, shedding a few tears. “I have so much love and affection for everyone, and I want the seven of us to keep working hard to share Harajuku with the world. Standing here now, I know that we can become an idol group loved around the globe!”

     

    After each group had finished their performances, all 19 idols from all three KAWAII LAB groups stood on the same stage together.

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    With excitement in the venue still building, the final performance and the long-awaited collaboration began. All 19 members formed a circle and began to perform FRUITS ZIPPER’s breakout hit Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro. Fans in the audience were permitted to record during this part of the concert, and after the show concluded, countless videos were posted to social media sites.

     

    A project to shoot a TikTok video of Happy Chocolate with the audience also took place at the end of the event. FRUITS ZIPPER member Mana Manaka gave a brief explanation of the choreography before taking a video of the fans gathered at the venue. The night ended as the idols and fans danced together.

     

    KAWAII LAB is continuing to produce cutting-edge idols ready to be shared with the world. With the addition of CANDY TUNE, the future is looking bright, and fans will want to watch out for what’s coming next.

    Text: Masatoshi Mayuzumi Photo: Shinsuke Hayashi / Miki Higashi

     

    ■Setlist

    [IDOLATER] Kesenai…(short ver.) Endless Summer Vapor City Kimi ni MuCHU♡XX Mahouno Kagiwo Teniiretara DIAMOND Endrollwo Mukaeru Maeni   [FRUITS ZIPPER] RADIO GALAXY Sekaiwa Kimikara Hajimaru Happy Chocolate Kanpeki Shugide☆ Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro   [CANDY TUNE] hanamaru Kiss Me Patissier Nanairo Prologue Mikanna Seishun hanamaru (MV.ver)   [KAWAII LAB.] Watashi no Ichiban Kawaiitokoro