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?

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 KeepersIsumi 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 FestivalSatoshi, 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    SainotsunoTheme Chosen: A book for daily rebirth   TarahumaraTheme 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.  

Southern Beach Hotel & Resort Okinawa has opened a new plan that includes an evening meal, BBQ, and accommodation at the beach hotel and resort. Southern Beach Hotel & Resort Okinawa is in a favourable location—just a 20-minute drive from Naha Airport in the city of Itoman. It's a 3-minute drive from Roadside Station Itoman, the largest farmers and fish market in Okinawa, and within 10-minutes drive of the new 'iias' shopping complex that opened in June this year, DMM Kariyushi Aquarium, and Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa. The hotel's impressive garden pool is 70 meters wide and is shaped in a unique way with five different levels of water spanning the entire length. Families flock to the pool in the summertime as the sun shines down and sparkles on the water. The new plan includes access to the pool in the evenings right up to 9:00pm, allowing guests to cool down in the pool without having to worry about getting sunburned, as well as a delicious dinner to be enjoyed after fun in the pool. The open air garden BBQ includes 90 minutes of all-you-can-eat meat, fish, and other delights to tuck into as the sea breeze caresses you. Guests can also choose a buffet option instead which makes use of local Okinawan ingredients. If you're in Japan this summer, and are looking for the beach resort experience, then hit up Southern Beach Hotel & Resort Okinawa.