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.

In March 2022, Kawade Shodo Shinsha will release ‘The Heike Story’: The Anime we Created, an incredibly in-depth tome detailing the creation of the popular animated series The Heike Story. The series began airing in September 2021.

Creating our own image of  ‘Heike,’ one that no one has ever seen before…

Directed by Naoko Yamada, ‘The Heike Story’ is based on Hideo Furukawa’s translation of the classic Japanese tale. This book highlights the thoughts and feelings behind the creation of the anime series and includes interviews, exclusive essays, storyboards, and newly-drawn illustrations by character designer Fumiko Takano.

Sneak Peak

Will you be ordering this incredible book in March?

The Orai Tourism Association will be reopening the Orai Sun Beach in Araimachi, Ibaraki, which was closed due to Covid-19, between October 16 and October 31 to host the limited-time ‘Sunahama Library.’ The event was hugely popular when it was held in 2020.

In the Summer of 2020, beaches throughout Japan were closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Orai Tourism Business Strategy Team held multiple meetings, searching for a way to allow people to enjoy the Orai seaside despite the situation. They realized that people may not want to get burned, or be covered in sand, or even get wet, but still want to be able to feel the sea. The conclusion the team came to was to open a library on the sandy beach, where visitors could enjoy the Orai sea without worry.

Get comfy with a good book while surrounded by the beautiful Orai beachfront at the ‘Sunahama Library.’

Publisher Kawade Shobo Shinsha will release two coming-of-age novels on October 14! To promote both The Last Dance of the Time Keepers and Home on the Night of the Star Festival, an anime PV created by the staff of the 2016 anime series Pop in Q and directed by Naoki Miyahara (Digimon Adventure, Dragon Ball Z) has also been released! There are also some pretty famous voice actors featured, so see if you recognize any!

Senya Mihagi, the author of both full-length novels, is an up-and-coming talent, winning the Kadokawa’s Da Vinci Story of Books Award in 2014. The original character designs and cover illustrations for each novel were created by Kouhaku Kuroboshi, who has worked on a number of popular anime works, including Kino’s Journey, Fate/Grand Order, and Sword Art Online Alternative. The PV includes voice actors Asami Seto, Shiori Izawa, Atsumi Tanezaki, Ari Ozawa, and Tomoyo Kurosawa. The music was produced by Yuki Tsujimura, who has collaborated with a number of popular Japanese artists in the past. 

To commemorate the release of the novels, five original postcards featuring art of each main character will be available from Amazon, Kumazawa Books, TSUTAYA, and Miraiya Books. You’ll get a different character depending on where you buy, so double-check beforehand!

Synopsis

The Last Dance of the Time Keepers

Isumi Kominato, a high-school freshman, moves to Tokyo from Kochi Prefecture and forms a new dance unit with her classmates. Behind the scenes, however, strange things are happening–power outages, disappearances, amnesia? Isumi, Aoi, Konatsu, Asahi, and Saki must use the power of dance to help return the world to normal. 

Home on the Night of the Star Festival

Satoshi, known as a child prodigy from the time he was an infant and like a sibling to Iori, died suddenly at the age of twenty-one. Iori, unable to accept his death, runs away to attend college in Tokyo, but three years later, she begins to receive strange e-mails after Satoshi’s belongings, including a smartphone, are given to her. What was he researching before he died, and why was a global IT company involved? What is the truth behind his mysterious death? 

Osaka’s Rihga Royal Hotel is collaborating with book direction brand YOURS BOOK STORE to produce a one-room one-day accommodation plan titled “Once in a Lifetime ~ Professionals Choose Your Book~.” The limited-time plan will be available between September 15 and November 30, 2021.

The lounge on the executive floor, known as The Presidential Towers, was reformed in March 2020 to include a library of 1,000 books, with themes including Osaka, refreshing, relaxing, and children’s books. It was then that the room plan collaboration with YOURS BOOK STORE, who was involved in the initial book selection, was proposed.

In the “Once in a Lifetime ~ Professionals Choose Your Book~” accommodation plan, a professional will discuss with the guest to learn more about their taste, with the book director offering 3 personalized book choices per person. The guest can also take full advantage of the hotel library.

Following your trip, a book chosen especially for guests will be sent to your home, with a message card describing how your books were selected. This unique accommodation plan allows you to bask in the afterglow of your trip while waiting to see what kind of book you receive.

Why not check out this unique plan where you can receive your own personalized book recommendation?

The co-working space SkiiMa, operated by PARCO, will hold the ‘BOOK FAIR in SkiiMa’ inside Shinsaibashi PARCO from September 10 to October 31, 2021. Four bookstores in the Kansai region were chosen to participate, with each exhibiting titles based on certain themes. This is the first ever BOOK FAIR in SkiiMa event, and the idea stemmed from the mind of LVDB Book’s owner. Each participating store was based on his perspective, and each theme offers something unique for visitors to discover.

Exhibitors

LVDB BOOKS

Theme Chosen:  People in sorrow

Tobira Records

Theme Chosen: The perfect gift

Sainotsuno

Theme Chosen: A book for daily rebirth

Tarahumara

Theme Chosen: The periphery of literary style

SkiiMa SHINSAIBASHI aims to stimulate the creativity of each visitor. A collection booth has been set up inside the space, displaying hobby-oriented exhibits to show off people’s passions.

The Leo Lionni cafe located at Sunday Brunch, MARRONNIER GATE GINZA 1 is remaining open for a longer period due to popular demand. The limited-time cafe will now be open until September 29. This cafe is themed around the world of Leo Lionni; a famous children’s picture book author whose illustrated stories include Swimmy and Frederick. Some of his works have even featured in school textbooks. After much anticipation, the cafe has released a brand new menu.

The renewed menu includes three new items which are based on Frederick; the story which has been praised as Lionni’s best and most popular by both children and adults. A new Frederick-themed meal, cake and drink will be made available from July 20. When you order the Frederick-themed meal, the world of Frederick will unfold before you as if it has been cut straight out of the book and served up on a plate. There is no doubt that you will find these dishes so cute that you will not want to eat them.

Frederick’s Sunny Soup and Rice: ￥1,480

This is a corn, pumpkin and minced chicken dish served with a cold soup and brown rice. This depicts the image of Frederick collecting the sun as he does in the story. The rice is served hot.

“I know it” Cheesecake: ￥1,250 (price with drink set)

This is a baked cheesecake made using rhubarb and summer berries sourced from Hotaru Noen Tatsuno Farm, Nagano. This delicious cheesecake depicts the scene right at the end of the story where the mice praise Frederick saying: “but Frederick! You are a poet,” to which Frederick replies: “I know it”.

Frederick Cheese Tea: ￥900 

This is a pineapple iced tea with cream cheese and a Frederick biscuit perched on the top. The pineapple flavour is sweet yet slightly sour. This is bound to leave you feeling refreshed, making it the perfect summer drink. 

From July 13 to September 29, 2019, there will be a special discount campaign running at the Minna no Leo Lionni Ten; an exhibition dedicated to Lio Lionni which is currently running at the Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Museum of Art. Please consider stopping by. 

Copyright © 2019 by Blueandyellow, LLC　Licensed by Cosmo Merchandising

On the 5^th of October 2017 (Thurs.), a hostel called “BOOK AND BED TOKYO” which was created under the concept of “a book store where customers can stay overnight” is going to be opened in Asakusa Kaminarimon. They have started to receive reservations from the 29^th of September – afternoon (Fri.).

As with the Ikebukuro branch shop which was opened in 2015, the graphic design of this new facility was undertaken by “Soda design,” the interior design was undertaken by “SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE” and the book selection was undertaken by “SHIBUYA PUBLISHING & BOOKSELLERS（SPBS）.” It is a dreamy place where you can read books and fall asleep.

The very popular pajama brand, NOWHAW has designed its fourth original pajama with the concept of “mappitatsu” (right in half) in time for the opening of the Asakusa shop.

The pajamas will be sold on the official website and at the Asakusa shop(limited quantity) and the users of the facilities can also rent these pajamas.

The “Daytime Plan” where customers can use the facility during daytime will be started from the 6^th of October (Fri.).

Let’s experience a dreamy book-reading time right in the middle of Tokyo’s popular sightseeing spot – Asakusa!