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 TIGER

100% & 400% (Height: 7cm and 28cm) 

Colors: Navy / Purple / Red

Price: ¥19,800 (Tax Included) 

BE@RBRICK BAPE®︎ CAMO TIGER

1000% (Height: 70cm)

Colors: Navy / Purple / Red

Price: ¥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. 

MEDICOM TOY’s iconic BE@RBRICK block figure is getting a BAPE®︎ CAMO makeover! The collaborative figures will come in two colors–gold and silver–and two sizes. They will be released on June 4, 2022. 

BE@RBRICK BAPE®︎ CAMO SHARK 100% & 400% GOLD / SILVER

Don’t miss out on these special collector’s items!

Japan’s top streetwear brand A BATHING APE is releasing a new collection inspired by Dragon Ball Z! The two first collaborated in 2016 starting with imagery inspired by Son Goku’s childhood. In June 2020, the company released a collection themed around the Cell arc.

Lineup

The newest collection was inspired by the final arc of the series, the Buu Saga, expressed in the style of BABY MILO.

The main characters from the series–Goku, Vegeta, Majin Buu, and Piccolo–are all depicted in BABY MILO style. In addition, characters such as Mr. Satan and Uub appear, perfect for more hardcore fans wanting to see lesser-known characters represented.

The lineup includes a coach jacket and hoodie featuring newly-drawn illustrations inspired by the final episode. Don’t miss this special collaboration!

In September 2018, ten incredibly talented artists came together to celebrate BAPE’s 25th anniversary by designing life-sized BABY MILO sculptures. These pieces of art were put on display at Space O in Omotesando Hills. After four years, those sculptures have been reimagined as eight-inch figures in collaboration with BAIT! (Much easier to display at home, right?) 

The participating artists are SK8THING, mankey, Stash, James Bond, Adam Lister, Michael Lau, Eric Haze, Shepard Fairey, Shinsuke Takizawa, and Nishiyama Tetsu.

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY ADAM LISTER: ¥16,500 (Tax Included)
This design was inspired by the colors of the Earth–yellow for the sun, green for the plants and trees, and blue for water. Using geometric patterns, rigid angles, and bright colors, the final product gives off a peaceful aura.

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY SK8THING: ¥16,500 (Tax Included)
Reimagining BABY MILK as a haniwa, or a terracotta clay figurine, SK8THING blended elements of Japanese history into his work. Haniwa were used for ceremonial purposes in ancient Japan.

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY mankey: ¥16,500 (Tax Included)
The artist mankey listed his design concept as “mirror camo BABY MILK.” The finished product is a shiny figure made from reflective material and decorated with BAPE’s classic camo. 

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY MICHAEL LAU: ¥16,500 (Tax Included)
The sponges used in the previous ‘WHAT WE WANT’ exhibition were used again to create this BABY MILK sculpture. On the back, fans can find classical Chinese calligraphy.

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY TETSU NISHIYAMA: ¥19,800 (Tax Included)
To celebrate BABY MILO’s birthday, Nishiyama Tetsu created his figure based on a chocolate banana, a treat usually eaten during Japanese festivals. Who wouldn’t want this adorable iteration of BABY MILO on their desk?

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY SHINSUKE TAKIZAWA: ¥16,500 (Tax Included)
Shinsuke Takizawa aimed to bring a 2D T-shirt design to life with his figure. The design incorporates the black color found in NEIGHBORHOOD goods, SKULL & BONE graphics, and the slogan “No. 1 CRAFT WITH PRIDE TOKYO.” 

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY SHEPARD FAIREY: ¥19,800 (Tax Included)
Shepard’s design concept is to raise awareness about environmental issues, global warming, and oil pollution. The top of BABY MILO features an oil spill and the figure will remind buyers to think about the big picture.

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY JAMES BOND: ¥16,500 (Tax Included)
Martial artists Chris Haueter and Rob Abeyta, the founders of UNDEFEATED GYM, inspired this design. This BABY MILO loves jiujitsu and wears a traditional dougi uniform.

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY ERIC HAZE: ¥16,500 (Tax Included)
Eric’s work features freehand brushstrokes to represent the current direction of his artwork. The design is organic and gives off a human touch.

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BY Stash: ¥16,500 (Tax Included)
In his early days of using spray paint, Stash painted on just about everything in his local park. The figure is a reinterpretation of his exciting youth.

BABY MILO®️ BY A BATHING APE 10 ARTISTS 8” FIGURE BUNDLE SET: ¥165,000 (Tax Included)

The collection will be available in a 10-piece set as well as individually. Items will be available at the BAPE STORE in Shibuya on May 14. The bundle is only available at the BAPE.COM web store, so check the special page for details.

From April 23 until May 15, 2022, the second floor of BAPEXCLUSIVE™️ Aoyama will host BAPE LOUNGE!

The store will display a selection of hand-picked items including lifestyle goods and interior items made with BAPE branding, as well as products made in collaboration with leading furniture brands. During the exhibition, visitors can not only see the items on display but can also order pieces of their own at the online store!

BAPE LOUNGE also features products made in collaboration with MODERNICA, an interior design company creating original pieces by utilizing mid-century craftsmanship techniques.

MODERNICA’s shell chairs are still handmade in California, using machinery from the Zenith factory where the original was created in 1950. The company rehires craftsmen from that time to manufacture them, using not only the original process but also the same skills and know-how. The new shell chair is upholstered with ABC CAMO cushions that follow the shape of the seat surface, making it easy to sit for long periods of time comfortably. The coloring goes well with wooden furniture and will brighten up a variety of interiors!

BAPE LOUNGE will appear on the second floor of BAPEXCLUSIVE™️ in Aoyama, which is filled with archived BAPE items. It’s worth a trip just to take a stroll around to see the many valuable items on display!

While BAPE LOUNGE is open, archived items will also be sold on the first floor. Don’t miss out!

‘Rooms,’ Umishima Senbon’s first solo exhibition, is currently underway at the pixiv WAEN GALLERY by TWIN PLANET x pixiv until May 5, 2022!

Goods at a Glance

After working as a chief animation director and character designer, Umishima Senbon is now an illustrator and manga artist. This exhibition features approximately 70 illustrations on canvas to specifically highlight the artist’s characteristic use of soft colors and delicate brush strokes. Some of the works will be swapped out during the second half of the exhibition, allowing visitors to see even more images–110 in total! Certain pieces will be available for purchase exclusively at the venue on a first-come, first-served basis.

A BATHING APE and Stephen Einhorn, a luxury jewelry brand based in London, have teamed up again after 20 years to create two items that clearly express the vision and creativity of both brands. The collection includes both a limited-edition collaboration ring and ‘Fire Garden,’ a unique candle holder.

The Stephen Einhorn x A BATHING APE®︎ Sterling Silver Ring features the BAPE®︎ logo and has a classy ergonomic shape with a 90s feel. Each item is handmade in a London workshop and is made sustainably.

The playful ‘Fire Garden’ candle holder features four monkeys holding their hands up to a flame, representing the discovery of fire. The monkeys and candle can be rearranged freely.

The packaging, developed by Stephen Einhorn, is a sustainable box made of 100% recyclable materials with environmentally friendly ink. The items are now on sale at Bape.com and at select locations in Japan.