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.

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 Hisashi

VISIONS 2023 ILLUSTRATORS BOOK, the newest edition of the popular art book edited by pixiv, was released on October 4, 2022. Art fans know the pixiv website as a place to share artwork, manga, and more.    The VISIONS book series began publication in 2020, and the total number of copies sold worldwide has surpassed 150,000. The latest 2023 issue features works by 170 creators, allowing readers a glimpse into the current state of illustration today.The cover art was drawn by Mika Pikazo, a character designer for many popular titles including Fire Emblem Engage, the latest in Nintendo's Fire Emblem series. Mika Pikazo has long been pursuing new forms of expression in digital art, including incorporating cubism. Digital art is often treated as something vastly different from traditional art such as paintings and sculptures, but the cover art of this book challenges this belief by blending digital and traditional art. Pikazo’s vivid colors and exquisite brushwork are a must-see. In addition to providing the cover art, a 7,000-word special interview with Mika Pikazo delving into his thoughts and vision can be found in the new book, providing a detailed view of what the digital art scene will look like in 2023.

A BATHING APE®︎ and MEDICOM TOY’s iconic BE@RBRICK block figure is getting a makeover! Fans will be able to grab Color Camo Tiger versions in three shades for a limited time only.    Collectors can grab a figure in blue, red, or purple. These will be on sale at authorized A BATHING APE®︎ retailers, project 1/6, MEDICOM TOY Tokyo Skytree Solamachi, 2G Tokyo, 2G Osaka, and online starting October 1, 2022. BE@RBRICK BAPE®︎ CAMO TIGER100% & 400% (Height: 7cm and 28cm) Colors: Navy / Purple / RedPrice: ¥19,800 (Tax Included)    BE@RBRICK BAPE®︎ CAMO TIGER1000% (Height: 70cm)Colors: Navy / Purple / RedPrice: ¥107,800 (Tax Included) 

Famed streetwear brand A BATHING APE® has announced a surprising collaboration with the sci-fi film classic E.T. Academy Award-winning Steven Spielberg directed E.T., and the film made a huge splash when it was released in 1982. The themes of trust, courage, and friendship are timeless and inspiring, and the film has remained popular 40 years later. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, this new collection came into being.   The new collection utilizes themes, scenes, and characters from the film. When combined with BAPE®︎’s signature style, fans will find pieces that mix nostalgia and modern street fashion. Which piece is your favorite?Fans of the film will recognize Elliott riding his bicycle against a backdrop of the moon with E.T. in the basket. The classic line “I’ll be right here” is printed on the upper sleeve of the sweatshirts. The red hoodie is a tribute to Elliot’s outfit in the film. Meanwhile, new items have been released under the BABY MILO®︎ label, with the T-shirt showing Elliott, E.T., and the popular ape character lined up in a row.The print on the back of the T-shirt is glow-in-the-dark, and the long-sleeved T-shirts feature reflective fabric. The team did everything they could to make these items feel as sci-fi as possible, and they are a great way to celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary. Was E.T. a part of your childhood?    ©Universal Studios Licensing LLC All Rights Reserved.

A BATHING APE, one of Japan’s leading streetwear brands, has announced a new collection inspired by the new film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero! This isn’t the first time that BAPE and Dragon Ball have come together for a stylish collaboration. The two have set the standard for what a crossover between streetwear and manga culture should look like, starting with the first collaboration in 2016. From pieces showing the protagonist Son Goku as a young boy to the most recent items inspired by the Majin Buu arc, fans of the series can’t get enough. The latest collection features characters from the highly-anticipated new film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero set to premiere on June 11, 2022.  

Son Gohan, Pan, Piccolo BABY MILO® T-Shirt (Colors: Black, White): ¥9,900 (Tax Included)

Red Ribbon Army BABY MILO® T-Shirt (Colors: Black, White): ¥9,900 (Tax Included)

  Popular characters Gohan and Piccolo have been given the BABY MILO treatment along with the new androids Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 and their creator Dr. Hedo from the newly-revived Red Ribbon Army. 

BAPE® X Dragon Ball Super Ape Head Pullover Hoodie (Colors: Black, Orange): ¥28,600 (Tax Included)

BAPE® X Dragon Ball Super Ape Head Totebag (Colors: Black, Orange): ¥8,800 (Tax Included)

  Fans of Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan’s daughter Pan won’t want to miss these stylish hoodies and tote bags complete with BAPE’s signature Ape Head! The collaboration items will be available at select stores throughout Japan and online starting on June 5, 2022, just before the movie's release.