Sebastian Masuda’s New Art Book Covers Everything From Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s ‘PONPONPON’ to Today

31.July.2020 | FASHION / SPOT

Sebastian Masuda, the leader of Japan’s culture of kawaii, released his first art book Masuda Sebastian Artworks PAINT IT, COLORFUL on July 31, 2020.

The scope of Sebastian Masuda’s influence is unrivalled. His touch can be seen all across Japanese kawaii culture, ranging from his work on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s viral hit music video PONPONPON which skyrocketed her career, to Harajuku’s famous concept restaurant KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, the Miracle Gift Parade at Sanrio Puroland, as well as countless work on TV, commercials, advertisements, characters, stage, concerts, and more.

Printed in full colour, the art book covers Masuda’s art direction from 2010 to 2019 in the form of photos of his actual works, design sketches, and plenty of other content for fans to soak up.

It also includes photos of an installation that has been visited by over 20,000 people which was created during Masuda’s time overseas in places like New York and Amsterdam, as well as his art exhibit currently on display at World Disney World Florida.

 

Sebastian Masuda’s career as an artist spans over 30 years. Get your hands on a copy of his first art book to see his success over the past decade.

RELATED ENTRIES

  • Sebastian Masuda to Open Colorful New York City Sushi Restaurant SUSHIDELIC in June 2023

    21.June.2023 | MUSIC / SPOT

    Sebastian Masuda to open SUSHIDELIC, a new sushi restaurant in Soho, New York City. The location will open on June 28, 2023.

    “King of Kawaii” Sebastian Masuda, creator of Harajuku’s “KAWAII MONSTER CAFE,” loved by celebrities around the world, has created a new restaurant concept  in New York City

     Sebastian Masuda is a multi-disciplinary artist whose unique sense of color transcends the boundaries of art, fashion, and entertainment. His restaurant “KAWAII MONSTER CAFE” opened in Harajuku in August 2015 and quickly became a popular spot in Tokyo, frequented by celebrities from around the world, including BLACK PINK’s Jenny, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande.

     

    His next project will take place in New York City, where he is currently based. The restaurant will offer a completely new perspective on sushi, the most popular Japanese food in the U.S. and  an integral part of the American lifestyle.

    Enjoy an Immersive Kawaii Experience

    The new location is meant to be an “immersive Kawaii experience.” Once you step into the restaurant, you’ll find yourself in a psychedelic and one-of-a-kind space that will make you feel as if you’ve wandered into another world. Guest will be guided by employees clad in colorful custom-made costumes, and three rotating cats will be suspended by the ceiling, rotating to reveal a secret image. Guests sitting at the counter will enjoy a pink custom-made conveyor belt, a.k.a a sushi lane.The restaurant will offer artist Sebastian Masuda “Immersive Kawaii Experiences” that go beyond THE DINING EXPERIENCE.

    Featuring a Menu Developed by Japanese Chefs and Supported by AUTEC, Inc.

    Chef Hiroki Abe and Sebastian Masuda collaborated to create an unforgettable menu, fully supported by AUTEC. After moving to the United States in 2001, Abe worked as an executive chef at EN Japanese Brasserie in NYC. He now works as a private chef at corporate events and parties around the U.S. On the technical side, AUTEC, which boasts the number one share of the automatic sushi machine market in North America, is backing up the venture. The sushi is sure to be as tasty as it is kawaii!

    Featuring Restaurant Music by RAM RIDER, the Music Producer Behind the Score at KMC

    The in-store background music is essential when cultivating an immersive experience. Music producer RAM RIDER, who created the music for KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, has written an incredible 70-minute ambient track for SUSHIDELIC. Guests can look forward to losing themselves in the adorable ambiance.

     

    Tons of New Yorkers Visit During Pre-Opening, SUSHIDELIC Trends on Social Media

    During SUSHIDELIC’s limited pre-opening, scores of New York-based celebrities and
    influencers visited the shop. The unparalleled ambiance, food presentation, and experience have quickly become a hot topic on social media!

     

    Opening in SoHo, the Trendiest Neighborhood in New York City

    SUSHIDELIC is scheduled to open at 177 Lafayette St. in the heart of the SoHo area, where the latest fashions and trends are born and where many fashion brands have opened their flagship stores.

    We will keep you updated with the latest information as it becomes available. Please look forward to the chemistry between “Sushi” and “Kawaii,” two of Japan’s proudest exports.

    Sebastian Masuda

  • Next Generation Creative Girls’ Collective bala Kicks off New Activities

    04.March.2023 | FASHION / MUSIC

    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!”

     

  • TeamLab Unveils Three New Works at Singapore’s Permanent ‘Future World’ Exhibition

    30.November.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    Art collective TeamLab has redesigned two exhibitions at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The world’s first permanent exhibition from the creators, Future World: Where Art Meets Science, was opened in 2016 at the Museum of Art and Science. Guests can now enjoy three new works along with the Digital Light Canvas, a huge, interactive space inviting guests to share their own pieces of art.

    Drawing Flight

    Visitors can immerse themselves in these impressive new works while experiencing a complex, three-dimensional world. They can also create new worlds with others!


    Future World

    The Drawing Flight, part of the Amusement Park of the Future series, is based on the concept of co-creation, allowing visitors to not only draw an airplane that will fly but also allowing them to operate it from a pilot’s point of view using a tablet. Whether visitors draw a butterfly or a hawk, they’ll see the world from the perspective of each creature and enter a world constructed by the creature’s unique perceptions.

    Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds

     

    In Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds, guests are asked to perceive the world with their entire bodies. Visitors cross a space with sticks floating three-dimensionally in the air.

    Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self

     

    Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self offers a new and abstract concept. As people touch the dots, the rhythm of the dots flickers and their hue changes and disintegrates. The picture will then change dramatically, and despite these changes, the beauty remains.

     

    Digital Light Canvas

    Graffiti Nature – Red List Digital Light Canvas

     

    Digital Light Canvas is a space consisting of a 15-meter-diameter circular link of light and a 20-meter-high cylinder of light made up of a collection of light dots.  Team Lab’s interactive artwork, which changes depending on how many people are around, is on permanent display.

    Drawing Factory

    By visiting the Digital Light Canvas area, guests can also enjoy the Drawing Factory, where they can turn their own drawings into pins, T-shirts, and other items!

     

    Come fully experience this curious art exhibition!

    © チームラボ

  • Final Fantasy Artist Yoshitaka Amano Holds Art Exhibition at Myoshin-ji in Kyoto

    30.November.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    Yoshitaka Amano, known by international fans as the artist behind the legendary Final Fantasy video game series, is celebrating his 70th birthday with a unique art project from November 23 until December 8 at Myoshin-ji in Kyoto. 

    On the first day of the event, the venue, decorated with autumn leaves, was crowded with visitors including foreign tourists, who marveled at the fantastic space filled harmoniously with gold and blue. The exhibition will be held at Myoshin-ji, the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. This collection of works was designed to question visitors’ sensibilities and provide a new kind of art exhibition for fans to enjoy.

     

    After the exhibition, the main art piece by Yoshitaka himself will be converted to 3DCG, and a Virtual Golden World will be developed in collaboration with the Yoshitaka Amano VR Museum. By integrating traditional and modern art methods, guests will be able to engage more deeply in the art by enjoying digital works, the metaverse, and NFTs.

     

    Don’t miss this curious exhibition!

  • Nagoya Castle to Hold Special Autumn Night Art Viewing for a Limited Time

    11.November.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    The historic Nagoya Castle will hold a special nighttime viewing event for 14 days only, from November 25 until December 8, 2022. During this period, Honmaru Palace will be open to the public at night, and the Chrysanthemum Corridor inside will be open to visitors for the first time. 


    The Ninomaru Garden will also be illuminated and will transport guests to a different place and time by showing a space only possible during dark hours.

     

    Inspired by the relationship between light and shadow, this event focuses on changes that occur over time and the creation and emergence of new ideas and things.

     

    Honmaru Palace, Typically Closed to the Public, to be Open at Night

    Nagoya Castle’s Honmaru Palace was completed in 1615 and served as the primary residence of the Lord of the Owari Domain and as the Domain’s government office. The interior of the palace was lavishly decorated with paintings and other art pieces and was praised as a masterpiece. Sadly, it was destroyed by an air raid in 1945. Restoration work began in 2009 and was completed in 2018 with unparalleled accuracy. The Honmaru Palace gives off a completely different aura at night. 

     

    First Public Viewing of the Jodan-no-ma in the Joraku-den

    The Joraku-den was added to Nagoya Castle to accommodate the third Shogun, Iemitsu, on his way to Kyoto. It is the most luxurious of all the Honmaru Palace buildings, and this event marks the first time that the Chrysanthemum Corridor on the north side will be open to the public. Visitors are welcome to admire the golden-blue paintings as they stroll through the historic site.

    See Spectacular Paintings when Entering the Tsugi-no-ma Room

    During this period, visitors can enter the Tsugi-no-ma room to view classical period paintings, giving a more clear idea of how people acted and dressed during this time in history.

     

    [Ninomaru Garden Special Viewing] 

    ~Witness a Never-Before-Seen Feudal Lord’s Garden through a Spacial Presentation~

    Scenography for this unique show was provided by the creative label PERIMETRON. In order to show another side of the Ninomaru Garden at night, the company focused on light’s characteristics, from reflection and transmission to refraction and absorption. Light and shadow intertwine in various ways, and guests will be transfixed by this curious showing.

  • Naruto Anime Series Celebrates 20th Anniversary With New Gallery Featuring Collaborations With Five Animators

    10.November.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT

    To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the globally popular Naruto anime series, NARUTO THE GALLERY will be held at AKIBA_SQUARE inside Akihabara UDX from December 10, 2022 until January 31, 2023. The gallery will feature collaborations with five animators. 

     

    This will be the first Naruto exhibition held since 2015. The event will focus on the growth of the characters, the bonds they share with their friends, and the many fights that have taken place over the past two decades. 

     

    Iconic scenes from the Naruto anime series will be on display in collaboration with five up-and-coming animators: Ai Niina, Kohei Kadowaki, que, Kosuke Sugimoto, and Kohta Morie. This will give fans the chance to see an unprecedented and unique view of the world of Naruto which can only be seen at the event. 

     

    Admission Bonus: Gemaki-style Card

    Goods

    An original Gemaki-style Card featuring a newly-drawn visual will be handed out to those visiting the exhibition. 

     

    The first lineup of exclusive event-only merchandise has been revealed and longtime fans of the series won’t want to miss adding some of these goods to their collection. 

     

    Participating Artists / Episode

    Ai Niina / Sasuke’s Ninja Way

    Kohei Kadowaki / Naruto’s Path

    que / The Land of Waves

    Kosuke Sugimoto / Sasuke’s Vessel

    Kohta Morie / Naruto and Kurama

     

    ©NARUTO THE GALLERY実行委員会

  • Final Fantasy Artist Yoshitaka Amano Holds Art Exhibition at Myoshin-ji in Kyoto

    10.November.2022 | FASHION

    Yoshitaka Amano, known by international fans as the artist behind the legendary Final Fantasy video game series, is celebrating his 70th birthday with a unique art project in Kyoto. 

     

    The exhibition will be held at Myoshin-ji, the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Stepping into the temple, guests will be met with colorful autumn leaves and a sea of gold and blue art pieces.


    “I want people to enter this world of light and experience being part of it,” Amano said. “Rather than art being something flat on a wall, I want to present something new and unique.” This collection of works was designed to question visitors’ sensibilities and provide a new kind of art exhibition for fans to enjoy.

     

    The main art piece, newly painted by Amano himself, will be on display in the Dharma Hall, which was decorated by one of Kano Tan’yu’s masterpieces. Tan’yu was an Edo-period painter. 

     

    The three meter tall column features Amano’s own interpretation of Hiten, part of Mount Meru, a part of Buddhism cosmology considered to be the centre of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. Four smaller pieces will be displayed on all four sides to create a three-dimensional mandala. 

  • Popular Illustrator and Character Designer Mika Pikazo Holds Solo Exhibition in Shibuya

    04.November.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    Mika Pikazo is an illustrator and character designer. The artist has designed characters for many popular titles including Fire Emblem Engage, the latest in Nintendo’s Fire Emblem series, as well as book covers and CD jackets.

     

    Starting December 10, the artist will hold his second solo exhibition in three years at the Hz event space in Shibuya.

     

    According to a press release, the exhibition is being held to show a number of creations Pikazo has made recently, and aims to show off new animation and past illustrations to merge his past and future selves. The creator hopes to challenge himself more going forward.

     

    The first main visual, REVENGE, can be seen on the exhibition’s official website. A total of three visuals have been newly drawn for the event and will be released sequentially. In addition, a number of collaborative works with other creators will be on display, so art fans won’t want to miss out.

    Limited-edition merchandise featuring new illustrations will be on sale at the venue, and autograph sessions are planned to be held. For more details, check the official Twitter page!

     

    Be sure to come to see Mika Pikazo’s colorful pieces in person!

  • Saiyuki 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition to Open in Osaka, Tokyo, and Fukuoka

    30.October.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT

    Anime and manga merchandise seller AMNIBUS will hold an exhibition to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kazuya Minekura’s Saiyuki series! The art exhibition will be held in Osaka, Tokyo, and Fukuoka, with the Osaka event beginning on December 30, 2022, and running through January 15, 2023. The Tokyo event will run from May 12 until May 28, 2023, and the Fukuoka event will run from August 11 until September 3, 2023. Additional events will be held in other locations to be announced at a later date.


    Minekura’s Saiyuki manga series has sold over 25 million copies as of January 2021. Loosely based on the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, the series tells the story of four heroes traveling west to stop demons from killing all of mankind. Over the past 25 years, the manga series has spawned several anime adaptations, live-action musicals, video games, and more.


    The exhibition will feature plenty of must-see items for fans, from original manuscripts to full-color drawings by the original creator. Will you be attending this once-in-a-lifetime event?


    *Addition venues, exhibition details, ticket and merchandise sales information, and additional details will be announced at a later date.

     

    ©峰倉かずや/一迅社

  • NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO Night Walk Project Invites Guests to Stroll Through the Tale of Genji

    28.October.2022 | SPOT

    From November 11 until December 4, NAKED will hold the unique NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO event in Uji. The one-of-a-kind art project is being produced through a partnership with Kyoto City, Uji City, and Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture. Several events and art exhibitions will appear in the Kyoto area until December 25, 2022.

     

    The project first began on September 15 at Kyoto City Hall, and it will move to Uji on November 11. NAKED’s unique digital art will bring color to Uji, a place steeped in Japanese history and the heart of Japanese tea culture. The Asagiri Bridge, appearing in The Tale of Genji, will be illuminated, and the Zen temple Kosho-ji will be offering tea ceremonies and a digital teamaking experience for guests to enjoy. NAKED’s popular Distance Lanterns will return, allowing visitors to explore Uji at night while properly socially distancing. 

     

    At Kosho-ji, guests can enjoy the renewed DANDELION PROJECT. Created by Ryotaro Muramatsu, the art project has appeared in a number of towns and cities around the world, inviting participants to create flowers and send them around the globe digitally as a hope for peace. Visitors can use their smartphones to send dandelion fluff with their name on it to the metaverse version of Kosho-ji and beyond, eventually causing a digital flower to bloom. 

     

    Why not come take a quiet walk through the streets of Uji, Kyoto? 

     

     

    Works

     

    Urasenke Tea Ceremony and Digital Teamaking Experience

     

    『DANDELION PROJECT』by RYOTARO MURAMATSU / NAKED

     

    NAKED Distance Lantern®︎

     

    Asagiri Bridge and Kotosaka Interactive Illuminations

     

    NAKED Tsukubai®︎

     

    Chazuna’s New Mobility C⁺walkT Experience

  • Photographers Mika Ninagawa and Hiroaki Miyata Present Joint Art Project at APPI Kogen Ski Resort

    10.October.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    From August 6 until October 20, 2022, the APPI Kogen Ski Resort in Iwate Prefecture is hosting a special art project titled A Butterfly’s Journey: Embracing Lights. Mika Ninagawa, a leading Japanese photographer active in film, design, and fashion, has teamed up with Hiroaki Miyata, a professor at Keio University’s School of Medicine and the man behind the theme project at the Japan Expo 2025. Miyata produced the exhibition and video works, and the exhibition itself focuses on sustainable art concepts. A large-scale video installation uses the site’s abandoned ski lift station as a canvas, wowing audiences. Don’t miss the many photographs on display as well!

     

  • teamLab Forest Fukuoka’s Interactive Digital Art Installation Gets Autumn Theme

    29.September.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    Starting September 23, teamLab Forest Fukuoka will be transformed for the autumn season! The interactive digital art installation will feature animals made entirely of fall foliage, and guests can enjoy red and orange leaves fluttering through the one-of-a-kind 3D world. 

     

    teamLab’s prolific works are known for changing with the seasons. This autumn version of the popular exhibition will only be on display for a limited time, and visitors can use their
    smartphones in the Catching and Collecting Forest to catch and collect the animals on display! The forest and ocean scenery will change as you explore, and starting on September 23, the trees will begin to show off beautiful autumn colors.

    In the Forest of Movement, guests can enter the ‘Shifting Valley, Living Creatures of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives’ exhibit, where creatures made of autumn flowers exist in a three-dimensional space. The space is meant to make guests think about the cycle of death and rebirth, as flowers blossom and die each and every year.

    The ‘Soft Terrain and Granular Topography’ will display tons of colorful grains raining down on visitors, while the ‘Flutter of Butterflies, Ephemeral Life’ will change the usual butterflies to have autumn colors as they fly around guests. This is a kind of autumn scenery you can’t see anywhere else, so be sure to come to Fukuoka during this beautiful season!

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