You’ve likely seen Macoto Takahashi’s artwork before. Imagine a girl with large, starry eyes, clad in over-the-top elegant clothing. For the past 68 years, Takahashi has been drawing princesses and girls to turn heads, each of them full of life and captivating coquettish energy.
After his debut in 1953, Takahashi published the manga series Arashi wo Koete and Princess Anne. His signature style of depicting glittering stars in the eyes of his protagonists would have a lasting influence on other manga artists. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was at the helm of many magazine covers and illustrations for popular girls’ manga magazines like Nakayoshi, Shojo Friend, and Margaret.
Since 1992, Takahashi has regularly held solo exhibitions of new works, and these activities have expanded overseas as well. His paintings were used in the 2018 Comme des Garçons SS collection, and there’s no sign that his style will fall out of favor any time soon.
On October 28, an art book filled with Macoto Takahashi’s beloved images was released. The 232-page book features over 150 works from the 1960s to the current day and is compact enough to bring anywhere.
Information
Macoto Takahashi’s Jewelry Box
Released: October 28, 2021
Price: ¥3,300 (Tax Included)
RELATED ENTRIES
-
Sae Okamoto’s Mecha-Ude project has attracted worldwide attention, and now, a full anime and manga series have been announced! Okamoto’s up-and-coming anime production company TriF Studio, located in Fukuoka, will work on the series, which follows Hikaru, a normal student, and Alma, a Mecha-Ude wielder who can be activated when he bonds with a human. Yoshino Koyoka has also started publishing a manga adaptation of the series on LINE Manga and other ebookjapan services. Three free chapters were published on September 15, and the series will run bi-weekly. TriF Studio will supervise and provide the story. A documentary video teasing the anime series and giving more information about TriF Studio has also been uploaded to YouTube. The video shows that the pilot’s theme song was written by Eve with a music video produced by Masayoshi Oishi. Hiroshi Matsuyama, the CEO of CyberConnect2, serves as the general supervisor of the series. Terumi Nishii, the chief animation director for the popular series Jujutsu Kaisen, worked on character designs for Mecha-Ude. The average staff age at TriF is 25, which is incredibly young for an animation studio. What can we expect from such a unique collection of creators? Be sure to keep an eye on this new anime and manga project!
(C)TriF/「メカウデ」製作委員会 Information
MECHA-UDE -Mechanical Arms- Official Site: https://mecha-ude.com/
-
To celebrate the release of KISS xxxx Collector's Edition, the compilation of Maki Kusumoto’s classic manga series, a collaboration cafe will be held at Ginza’s Zikkai Library Bar from August 2 until September 28, 2022. KISS xxxx, the second installment of the Kusumoto Maki Collection, a series of beloved editions of Maki Kusumoto's works published by Shogakukan Creative, includes illustrations that have never been included in the previous books, as well as spin-off works published or announced outside the serialized magazines, for a total of three volumes. An original postcard will also be included in each volume.
KISS xxxx Collector's Edition Collaboration Menu
KISS xxxx Collectors Edition Volume 1 Cover
About KISS xxxx Kameno and Kanon. These mysterious lovers live simple lives, and each day is standard. This landmark work tells an immortal love story, impacting a generation of readers. This reprint brings the story back to life in higher quality, so why not jump in?Information
KISS xxxx Collectors Edition Volume 1 – Collaboration Cafe
Venue: Ginza’s ‘Zikkai’ Library Bar
Running: August 2 – September 28, 2022
Official Site: https://www.zikkai.com/
KISS xxxx Collector’s Edition <Maki Kusumoto Collection>
On Sale July 29, 2022
https://www.shogakukan-cr.co.jp/book/b10012343.html
*Volume 2 will be released in late September 2022. Volume 3 will be released in late November 2022. -
A limited-time pop-up shop for the manga series The Summer Hikaru Died will be held at TLC RECORDS at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro from October 8 until October 23, 2022.
Manga Synopsis
Yoshiki and Hikaru are two boys who live in a certain village. They're the same age and have always been together growing up. But one day, Yoshiki noticed that "something else" has taken Hikaru's place. Even after learning of this, Yoshiki still wants them to be together. And so, his life with the "something" that looks like his friend begins. The first volume of The Summer Hikaru Died was released this year by Kadokawa and managed to sell over 200,000 copies in under three months. The series has also been nominated for the Next Manga Awards 2022. Fans of mystery and boys' love won't want to miss out on this series. The pop-up shop will feature new merchandise including newly-drawn images by the manga's creator Ren Mokumoku.©モクモクれん/KADOKAWAInformation
The Summer Hikaru Died Limited-Time Pop-up Shop
Running: October 8 – October 23, 2022
Venue: Sunshine City alpa B1, TLC RECORDS (3-1-2 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo)
Official Site: https://web-ace.jp/youngaceup/contents/1000183/ -
Starting on July 20, the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi store will be celebrating illustrator Macoto Takahashi’s 88th birthday with a special exhibition. The event will display many of Takahashi’s works, featuring beautiful girls and festive flowers. For over six decades, Takahashi has been drawing princesses and girls to turn heads, each of them full of life and captivating coquettish energy. With fans around the world, the artist dominated the Showa period with his pieces which were frequently on the covers of girls’ manga magazines. With the artist’s 88th birthday coming up next month, this exhibition will focus on many of Takahashi’s original paintings, as well as his recent collaborations with apparel brands such as COMME des GARCONS and Anna Sui.
Original Illustration - Elaine's Flowers
Flowery Mademoiselle II
Original Illustration - Sunflower Prayer
“I want people to feel warm and healed when they see my works. I want them to feel euphoric. Euphoria brings peace, and it cultivates mutual respect for each other,” Takahashi said about his works. His recent work Sunflower Prayer, on display at the exhibition, shows a Ukrainian girl in a traditional costume wishing for peace. “I’m an artist, so I was able to convey my hope for peace through my work. I hope that you’ll also express your desire for peace in any way that you can,” Takahashi said. This work painted by the 87-year-old is a major highlight of the event.Original Illustration - The Prince and His Dog
Original Illustration - Fairy-Tale Wedding
Takahashi’s original paintings often sell out quickly due to their popularity. During this massive event, the largest number and widest variety of the artist’s works will be displayed and sold. The lineup is packed with highlights, ranging from works made during the 1990s to the creator’s latest works from 2022.Goods
To commemorate the event, new goods featuring nostalgic illustrations seen on girls’ magazine covers in the 1970s will be available, including stationery, buttons, and more. ⒸMacoto Takahashi Information
Macoto Takahashi’s 88th Birthday Exhibition: A Collection of Beautiful Woman
Running: July 20 – July 25, 2022
Venue: Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Building 7F Event Space
Details: https://www.mistore.jp/shopping/event/nihombashi_e/takahashi_macoto_50
Official Site: https://artgallery.co.jp/ -
Tokyo City View, an incredible venue on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, will hold the first large-scale exhibition of GeGeGe no Kitaro creator Shigeru Mizuki’s works from July 8 to September 4, 2022. The event marks the creator's 100th birthday, though Mizuki himself passed away in November 2015 at 93 years old. During “The Yokai of Shigeru Mizuki: Nightly Procession of Monsters ~This is How the Monsters were Born~,” guests will be able to step into Mizuki’s world while also enjoying a breathtaking view of Tokyo. The exhibition will unravel how many of the manga creator’s monsters came to be, and a number of yokai-related books from Mizuki’s personal collection will be on display including The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons (Gazu Hyakki Yagyo) by Sekien Toriyama and A Discourse on Yokai (Yokai Dangi) by Kunio Yanagita. Over 100 of Mizuki’s yokai drawings will be on display. Items at a Glance
Exclusive merchandise will be able to purchase on-site at the special shop ‘Nekoya.’ These items are only available during the exhibition! From mugs and keychains to T-shirts and sweets, fans of Mizuki’s works will find something to love! Visitors will be able to use the AR camera in the Street Museum XR sightseeing app to take photos with five yokai hidden within the venue. Using a smartphone, scanning certain key visuals will summon monsters, so don’t miss this neat addition to the event! At the entrance, visitors will be greeted by bronze statues inspired by the yokai statues that line Sakaiminato City in Tottori Prefecture, Mizuki's birthplace, as well as windows decorated with lanterns bearing the names of different yokai. Using the AR camera, a giant Gashadokuro will appear (basically a huge and terrifying skeleton). In the final area of the exhibition, guests can snap a picture with the yokai they found along the way! ＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ How to Access the AR ‘Youkai Camera’ After installing the Street Museum XR sightseeing app, select ‘The Yokai of Shigeru Mizuki: Nightly Procession of Monsters” on the map of Tokyo and activate the AR camera. *Guests must download the Street Museum app. App Store: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/machikadowomyujiamuni-sutoritomyujiamu/id1151091144 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.toppan.streetmuseum.android (C)水木プロダクション Information
The Yokai of Shigeru Mizuki: Nightly Procession of Monsters ~This is How the Monsters were Born~
Running: July 8 – September 4, 2022 *Open daily.
Venue: Tokyo City View, Roppongi Hills Tower 52F (6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Hours: 10:00-22:00 (Last entry at 21:00)Special Shop ‘Nekoya’
Open: July 8 – September 4, 2022 *Open daily.
Hours: 11:00-22:00 (Last entry at 21:30)Official Site: https://mizuki-yokai-ex.roppongihills.com/
-
An anime adaptation of the Nitroplus, Good Smile Company, and NextNinja mobile RPG Smile of the Arsnotoria will premiere on July 6 on TOKYO MX and BS Nippon TV. The main cast will include Misaki Kuno as Arsnotoria, Miharu Hanai as Mel, Miyu Tomita as Petit Albert, Eri Yukimura as Picatrix, and Eriko Matsui as Abramelin. The teaser visual also features original characters made specifically for the anime adaptation. More information will be released in June, so stay tuned! Teaser Trailer
The RPG will also receive a manga adaptation in Kadokawa’s Monthly Dragon Age magazine starting June 9. Drawn by Hattori Masaki, the series will follow the events of the anime. The series will also receive a spin-off story centered on a character original to the anime. Details surrounding this still remain a mystery. Be sure to tune in when the anime premieres in July! Summary “Welcome to our secret academy.” In the magical boarding school city of Ashram, girls known as Pentagramas live their lives and study to become “real ladies.” It’s time for you to experience the friendly, fun, and fascinating atmosphere of the campus while living alongside these girls in the school dorm! ©NITRO PLUS/GOOD SMILE COMPANY, Inc. ©Smile of the Arsnotoria the Animation Partners Information
Smile of the Arsnotoria!
Premiering July 7, 2022
TOKYO MX: Wednesdays at 23:00 / BS Nippon: Wednesdays at 24:00
Official Site: arsnotoria-anime.com
Manga Adaptation / Novelization Information
Manga to begin serialization in Monthly Dragon Age starting June 9
Novel to be published by Famitsu Bunko
Official Site：https://arsnotoria.jp/