Selling over 110,000 copies to date, the ILLUSTRATION series shows off the current state of Japan’s art scene. Japanese artists are recognized around the world for their unique style, and 150 diverse pop-culture creators will be featured in ILLUSTRATION 2022, releasing on December 6, 2021. Compared with last year’s release, this tome will feature ninety percent new artists, keeping readers abreast of the state of contemporary illustration today.
ILLUSTRATION 2022 (Standard Edition)
ILLUSTRATION 2022 (Special Edition)
The cover art was provided by Tsumi Cotoh, known for her work with popular music duo YOASOBI. The book was designed by up-and-coming designer Arima Tomoyuki.
At the end of the book, readers can enjoy an interview with Sony Music Entertainment’s Yohei Yashiro, the man behind YOASOBI. PIEDPIPER, the general producer of Kamitsubaki Studio, also gave an interview. Tsumi Cotoh and Arima Tomoyuki also discuss the process of creating the book.
ILLUSTRATION 2022 utilizes the newest artbook printing technology, ‘Brilliant Palette,’ to deliver the most high-quality color prints. A Special Edition featuring a unique cover will be sold in limited quantities, so try to grab one while you can!
Information
ILLUSTRATION 2022
Release Date: December 6, 2021
https://www.shoeisha.co.jp/book/detail/9784798173160
Shoeisha Online Shop:
https://www.seshop.com/product/detail/24747
https://www.seshop.com/product/detail/24827 (Special Edition)
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4798173169
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4798174343（Special Edition)
RELATED ENTRIES
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Illustrator BEY’s solo exhibition ‘NEW WAMERICAN’ will be held at TRUNK (HOTEL) in Shibuya starting November 1. BEY is known for his illustrations inspired by the ‘Wamerican’ theme, a blend of Japanese culture, including ukiyo-e, and American pop culture. Currently, he is attracting attention as an up-and-coming creator who also works on CD jackets for artists and window art for apparel brands. Canvas works newly painted for the exhibition will be exhibited and sold, and new merchandise such as teacups and Palo Santo with limited edition packaging will be available. [Comment from BEY] “I hope to approach this exhibition as the first of its kind to showcase the new expressions of ‘WAMERICAN,’ a style which has continued to evolve over the past seven years, with a focus on original paintings on canvas. I hope tons of people will come to visit!”
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BEY SOLO EXHIBITION ‘NEW WAMERICAN’
Dates: November 1 ~ November 4, 2024
Hours: 10:00~20:00
Venue: TRUNK (HOTEL) CATSTREET
5-31 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo[Reception Party]
Date: November 1, 2024
Hours: 19:00~24:00
Admission: Free
DJs: Yuuna Yabe / 50minimals[GOODS]
・L/S TEE
・Hat
・Hand Towel
・Hanafuda Playing Cards
・Teacup Mug
・Original Palo Santo
・StickersBEY’s Instagram：@beytaro_0912
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In collaboration with illustrator meeco, LaLaport TOKYO-BAY is currently holding the cashless ‘AUTUMN FESTA 2023 Find Happiness;’ event for the entire month of September. In a special area of the shopping center, the latest fall items and fashions will be displayed along with an art exhibit dedicated to meeco’s creations. Visitors will receive an original card featuring a new illustration by meeco (while supplies last). Be sure to browse the special website for more details.
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AUTUMN FESTA 2023 Find Happiness
Running: September 1 ~ September 30Special Site:https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/lalaport/tokyo-bay/special/autumnfesta2023/
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Natsumi Sato’s “peloringirl series,” featuring girls sticking out their tongues in vivid pop colors with a 90s feel, has become increasingly popular. On June 2, the artist opened a new solo exhibition at A.F GALLERY in Harajuku. In addition to many of her past creations, visitors will also be able to see newly drawn works created especially for the exhibition, as well as works from the recently released NFT project City Pop TOKYO, for which Natsumi Sato acted as the character designer. Sato is planning on holding exhibitions in Fukuoka and Osaka in the future.
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Natsumi Sato Solo Exhibition TOKYO
Running: June 2 – June 16, 2023
Venue: A.F GALLERY (Tokyo)
Hours: 12:00-18:00
Admission: Free■A.F GALLERY
Address: ASOBIFACTORY 1F (3-21-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/SsAJpwcTR3Z77bux8■Natsumi Sato Gallery Visits
June 2 – June 4
June 10 – June 11 -
The NFT project City Pop TOKYO is inspired, fittingly, by City Pop, a music genre from Japan that is immensely popular worldwide, particularly among Gen Z. Now, the project is collaborating with the incredibly popular idol group FRUITS ZIPPER! Starting at the end of April, Legendary NFTs inspired by the members of FRUITS ZIPPER will be released sequentially as part of the City Pop TOKYO NFT collection. These collaborative NFTs feature rare designs that are unique among the other characters in the City Pop TOKYO NFT collection and were drawn by Natsumi Sato, the illustrator who oversaw character design for the collection. This collaboration will commemorate the release of City Pop TOKYO's main collection, which will be available starting at the end of April. City Pop TOKYO will allow both NFT holders and non-holders to participate in new character development through a series of Twitter posts after the main NFT collection is sold. Characters will level up by earning training points when they post on Twitter, which will also be reflected in their NFT properties. The final ranking will be based on level, and a subsequent audition will be held, with winners being invited to join ASOBISYSTEM as new talents. For this collaboration, the wildly popular FRUITS ZIPPER is sure to bring some new excitement to this incredible project.
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<Collaboration Details>
●Seven FRUITS ZIPPER NFTs inspired by the group’s members will be added to the City Pop TOKYO collection as Legendary NFTs.
● Legendary NFTs were created by Natsumi Sato, the illustrator behind City Pop Tokyo. Each special edition release has its own unique parts.
● Unlike standard collections, Legendary NFTs will be sold via auction.Available: April 19 at 21:00 ~ April 20 at 21:00
Amount Available: 7
Price: To be determined at auctionBelow are the NFT designs. Illustrations will be sent to auction winners as NFTs.
<Special Benefits for Legendary NFT Holders>
● One NFT airdrop from City Pop TOKYO’s main NFT collection
● Easier to accumulate XP points when developing characters on Twitter
● A 3D model from the Gemie Metaverse (Design to be selected from airdrops from the main collection)
●NFT airdrops of future collections (details to be announced as soon as the collections are available)
*Legendary NFTs cannot participate in the promotional game or audition.
*The images and designs of the characters may be used by the FRUITS ZIPPER and its members during their activities.About City Pop TOKYO
City Pop TOKYO plans to release 1984 original NFTs based on City Pop, a music genre from Japan that is immensely popular worldwide, particularly among Gen Z. The project’s characters are featured in trendy outfits and makeup representing symbolic fashion styles in Japan, such as GAL, SHOWA, and REIWA. After the NFTs are sold out, they can be registered as talents with ASOBISYSTEM and entered into the METAVERSE’S GOT TALENT NFT talent audition using Twitter! Successful entries will be invited to have full-fledged virtual careers, appearing in ads and releasing music. Community members can participate in surveys and vote on songs and other releases, coming together to help develop new talent.Through this project, City Pop TOKYO will work to reaffirm the usefulness of Web 3.0 technology and NFT and further promote Japanese culture to people worldwide.
・Website: https://www.city-pop.tokyo/
・Twitter: @CityPopTokyoNFT
・Discord: https://www.city-pop.tokyo/<Participating Businesses>
Kingdom Labs
Kingdom Labs is a venture studio that aims to support and invest in projects in the gaming and toC areas within the Web 3.0 domain. The company provides consistent support to entrepreneurs building innovative business models across various industries, from planning to execution. One of the company’s key strategies is to partner with large companies that are expanding their business to Web 3.0 or that exist in a different area but hope to create Web 3.0 services. Kingdom Labs takes a unique, multi-disciplinary approach to maximize the interests of investors and partners, leverage its global team, and to grow its global portfolio and investment experience. The company also operates the world-renowned NFT collection Monkey Kingdom.Representative: CSO Maurice Ng
URL: https://www.kingdomlabs.com/UPBOND Inc.
UPBOND offers Wallet, which easily allows customers to manage their assets and connect to many Web 3.0 services. Its non-custodial wallet enables general consumers to easily engage with Web 3.0 marketplaces and allows enterprises to obtain customer information with its decentralized identity solution. UPBOND works with top-notch Japanese corporates to bring their business into this new frontier while also updating customer relationships.Representative: Director Takashi Mizuoka
Head Office: 6-31-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (8F)
URL: https://www.upbond.ioGEMIE
GEMIE is an Asian entertainment-focused metaverse platform inspired by fan culture. The company aims to help artists achieve their full potential by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to reach their goals and allowing them to interact with fans from all over the world without limitations.
Comment: “Instead of holding a talent show by region or country, why don’t we do it in the metaverse so there won’t be any geographical locations – you will be surprised how many talented artists who are worth a shot are scattered in our everyday life!”Representative: Co-founder John Fung
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The Tokyo-based girl artists and creators' collective bala has finally launched for real! The group will release its first single barla on March 8. bala consists of MANON, SUNNY ONLY 1, DAN, and KANO, each with their own global background. The project aims to resonate with Gen Z youth culture and to be a collective of artists that connects hybrid Japanese pop culture with audiences around the world. The debut song barla was produced by Shinichi Osawa, who has numerous hits under the name Mondo Grosso. It was co-written by Kenmochi Hidefumi from Wednesday Campanella. With Y2K culture making a comeback around the world, the track features the house sound popular in the late 90s which is showing signs of becoming the next musical trend yet again. The groovy dance tune is a perfect theme song for these girls who will lead the next generation of pop culture. <Comment from Shinichi Osawa> “I’m honored to be involved in bala’s debut. The members are super unique, and collaborating with Kenmochi-san for the first time was a dream come true.” <Comment from Kenmochi Hidefumi> “I’m happy to be able to work with the members of bala and Shinichi Osawa. Everyone is so uniquely talented, and this song is filled with everyone's energy and excitement inspired by their long-awaited debut!”
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bala 1st Single「barla」
配信日：2023年3月8日（水）
配信URL：https://orcd.co/barla
【About bala】
東京を拠点に活動するガールズ・アーティストとクリエイターによるコレクティブ・balaは、MANON、SUNNY ONLY1、DAN、KANOの4人からなるクリエイティブ集団。
世界で同時多発的に進行している様々なZ世代ユースカルチャーと共鳴しながら、DNAに組み込まれた日本発のポップカルチャーと融合させたハイブリッドな表現を目指し、グローバルに発信していくことをコンセプトに活動する。
また3Dアバターキャラクター「Barla」を介し、次世代インターネット「WEB 3.0」など、積極的にエッジテックを活用した次世代のクリエイティブにも取り組んでいく。
ポップミュージックのフィールドに限らず、彼女たちの世界観を共有する様々なアーティスト、クリエイターが集うクリエイティヴ・プラットフォームとして機能することで、ポップカルチャーにおける新たなエコシステムへの発展を目指していく。
TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@bala_official_japan
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/bala_official_japan/
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Hisashi Eguchi’s Illustration Exhibition “Tokyo Girlfriend” Coming to Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, New Works to be Exhibited for the First Time
From March 14 until April 23, 2023, Tokyo Midtown Hibiya will hold Hisashi Eguchi’s Tokyo Girlfriend illustration exhibition, set to show off the artist’s unique perspectives on people and cityscapes. The exhibition will feature new illustrations of the titular girlfriend standing in the streets of Hibiya drawn especially for this exhibition, as well as various other girlfriends both large and small.
GING NANG BOYZ Kimi to Boku no Dai 3ji Taisen-teki Renai Kakumei CD Jacket (2005)
A LONG VACATION - Eiichi Ohtaki 40th Tribute Illustration (2021) ©2023 Eguchi Hisashi
Hisashi Eguchi, a manga artist and illustrator, continues to convey the charm of the city and its people by vividly depicting Tokyo and the many unique happenings within. As Tokyo Midtown Hibiya celebrates its 5th anniversary along with many other nearby businesses, the Tokyo Girlfriend exhibition of illustrations by Hisashi Eguchi is being held to celebrate.
The exhibition will feature a new painting of the mysterious girlfriend standing in the streets of Hibiya, newly created for the Tokyo Midtown Hibiya exhibition. A number of original pieces using Pantone overlay, Eguchi's favorite painting medium in the 80s and 90s, will also be on display for the first time.
During the exhibition period, guests can enjoy autograph sessions, live sketches in which Eguchi himself will draw a portrait of selected subject on the spot, and workshops where he will teach tips on how to be a better illustrator.
Don’t miss your chance to meet one of the greatest illustrators of the modern era!
©2023 Eguchi HisashiInformation
Hisashi Eguchi’s Illustration Exhibition ‘Tokyo Girlfriend’
Running: March 14 – April 23, 2023
Venue: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya
https://www.hibiya.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/