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I have been to Japan twice in my life. Tokyo was definitely a city you wanted to visit. But for this cover I didn't want to show the city because COVID-19. We have to avoid the crowded places. When I was in Tokyo I also wanted to find peace at one point. I did this in nature around the city. The peace you can find in nature, parks, beautiful gardens, onsen, temples, shrines and nearby the iconic Mount Fuji. I put these elements in a wishing balloon, because we want a better year together. A year that we all together beat COVID-19!
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Sjoerd Verbeek, Dutch illustrator (35)
With a strong focus on illustration, Sjoerd Verbeek creates powerful and well-thought through images that connect brands to their audience. Communicating with high-quality work, strong colour combos and well balanced compositions, Sjoerd’s designs always emanate love and precision. 

Inspired by things such as forms, patterns, colours, food, nature, architecture, toys and Japan, you’ll be able to spot Sjoerd’s designs on advertising campaigns, branding, products, brochures, websites, installations and murals. 

He is currently working for a whole spectrum of clients in different industries such as Samsung, Mizuno, Heineken, Abn Amro Bank, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Duvel, ArtEZ University of the Arts, HAN University of Applied Sciences, and Zilveren Kruis Achmea.
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@sjoerdverbeek
www.sjoerdverbeek.nl

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Japanese Matsuri's are part of the amazing experiences that I lived in Japan. It brings me to another worlds. So, the story about this art cover tells about strong women, and the path to the other side to heaven, through the experience of life and our learnings.
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Amanda was born in the summer of 1985 in the north of Spain, in a city called Palencia but grew up in Tenerife. I was always linked to art, because I come from a family of artists; painters, poets, teachers …I am a lover of nature, clouds and travel. My big influences are my dreams, the trips around the world, the Celtic and Japanese cultures, and the natural and urban environment that surrounds us.
I'm working as a freelance artist and am a multi-faceted and self-taught artist, and I cover several artistic disciplines.
The beauty of life and my experiences around the world, cultures and nature that inspire me to make my artistic creations, are what makes me happier.
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www.amandasiworae.com
@amanda_siworae_art
@AmandaSiworae

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Yuzu Onsen - a zesty bath is said to help promote health and beauty, also ornamental to have those lemon-like yellow fruit bobbing around you.
One of my best experiences in Tokyo was taking the open-air yuzu bath where offers a scenic view of Mt. Fuji. I could also see a variety of people without knowing their background since everyone was naked, could be kind or rude, legendary or ordinary, in the meantime, time seemed to have stood still, everyone was enjoying the precious relaxing moment in busy Tokyo.
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Xi Nan is a Chinese illustrator and graphic designer based in Tokyo. Now exploring motion graphics and animation, I want to be a storyteller, to express ordinary things in a childlike and passionate way.
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www.nanxii.com
@nahnsxx

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Exploring the wonderful world of Harajuku during my trip to tokyo a few years back was amazing. Discovering vintage clothing pieces from the 90’s in such pristine condition mixed in with the electric style of the people in the area.
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MURUGIAH is a Welsh/Sri Lankan artist based in London. He considers himself a candy coated psilocybin particle beam daydreamer.* His surreal dream like style blends colour and detail. His work centres around escapism via the dichotomy of his Western birth and upbringing, and his South Asian heritage.
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@_murugiah
murugiah.com

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Tokyo is a place with endless creativity and energy, the birthplace of the world's most famous creative and talented people, artists, designers…

When I take a walk within Tokyo I feel like navigating between the past with its traditional amazing aspects, the 80’s building and nice atmosphere. 

I have been thinking for a long time to create an out of time cover about my life here in Tokyo with small cute characters living in peace in my fantastic and poetic vision of Japan. 

It is important for me to express through my creations how Tokyo inspires me every day.  
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My name is Dai Gondo, I am a French - Japanese enthusiastic Graphic Artist with a special Love for illustration.
Except for a few years in Tokyo when I was a young child I spent most of my life in Paris. I decided to move in Tokyo four years ago to better understand the other half of myself and also to discover the specific Japanese graphic design  

I do believe that my international mind and my experience of two attractive cities: Tokyo and Paris, brings me a lot of new ideas for my illustrations. 

I am also inspired by different subjects such as Arabic garden, exotic paintings of Le Douanier Rousseaux, African vintage Art and many things around me.
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@thisisdai

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On the way to Sensoji Temple for the first time, I saw Japanese elementary school kids in uniforms with large schoolbag on the train. The contrast between their serious uniforms and their childish looks is very cute.
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Eve is an illustrator based in New york. She is an lifestyle illustrator and product designer with dreams of becoming a dog groomer. Recently, she is experimenting with animated artworks.
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www.eveliu.com

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The feeling of nostalgia evoked by the beautiful scenery and lived experiences in Japan, is always mentioned by friends who visited or lived there. I wanted to illustrate that feeling and bring some of these memories back on a collection of Japanese scenery illustrations
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Kenji Lambert is an asian-brazilian illustrator and motion designer, born and raised in Brazil. He's currently working with TV shows at Rede Globo, a local TV channel, but has also worked for HBO, Ogilvy, animation studios and magazines. He's true passion is at studying the subtle details of backgrounds and landscapes, and trying to apply that to his drawings
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www.kenjilambert.com
@kenjilambert

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I wanted to retranscribe the poetry that my unforgettable travel to Japan inspired me

Tokyo brings together so many things that I love ! 

There are kawaii things everywhere, there are cute Shibas smiling, and you can sometime see people walking down the streets in amazing kimonos full of delicate patterns and colours.
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I'm a French artist and illustrator living in Paris.

I use the vibrant colors of gouache to create a poetic and colorful universe inspired by Japanese art and focusing on patterns and nature.

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www.lilsire.com
@lilsireillustrations

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I am fascinated by Japanese Emaki from Heian Period recently. When I am perusing the hand-scrolls, they remind me of my experience in Tokyo. Being a special city, Tokyo has woven together different temporalities across different historical periods. It inspired me to think about how elements from ancient hand-scrolls could be applied to a modern context, and I made several attempts. This cover is one of these attempts, and I feel so glad it works out. 
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Yifei Wang is a Los Angeles based illustrator. Her works attempt to incorporate elements from ancient Japanese hand-scrolls. She was fascinated by the texture and art-styles from the Heian Period. When developing her drawing, she placed a large emphasis upon creating the texture, mimicking the flaking surface of ancient paintings. 
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yifeiwangart.com
@ivvvvvah

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Since March 2018, Maya and Raphaël have been carrying out a project entitled #goolovesjapan coming back to memories of their previous travels to Japan. They make one illustration a week, sharing thereby the particular atmosphere of the Land of the Rising Sun.
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Goo is a global design atelier in Lyon, France. It gathers 2 freelance designers Maya Naruse, illustrator and Raphaël Leboucher, graphic designer, working together for 7 years. Promoting an ethical and sensitive design, their projects stand at the crossroads of crafts, art and design.
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www.goo-ltd.fr

@goo_ltd

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My illustration was inspired by the neon drenched sunsets of Tokyo and my fascination for koinobori, the Japanese carp-shaped windsocks. Once, a long time ago, I’ve had a dream I was riding one so I felt like this was a good opportunity to make something out of it.
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Gustavo Dorietto is a Brazilian illustrator who also works as a Creative Director in advertising. His illustration work has been awarded in creativity festivals like Cannes, D&AD and The One Show. He is currently based in Brooklyn, NY.
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@dorietto_and_drawing
www.doriettodrawing.com

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The inspiration for my illustration came as I was walking in Shinjuku at night, under the rain. 

I loved the contrast between the multi-colored lightboxes advertising restaurants, bars and more, and the warm light coming out of a tiny 3 seats bar in golden gaï

This view summed up for me an incredible juxtaposition of modernity and tradition that Tokyo is so great at representing.
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Thomas Gibault is a french born author-illustrator living in Montréal, he worked for kid's illustrations, advertising and is now a full-time Art-Director at Moment Factory studios. His latest projects include amongst others, Keren a show in Osaka, Childish Gambino this is america tour and Rainforest-Lumina, an interactive night-walk in Singapour.
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@tomagibo

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For me Tokyo is mystery and eccentricity, a place where monsters crowd streets when no one is watching.
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Elena Galofaro (in art Elena Bansh) is an illustrator and concept artist from Italy, now based in London but previously in Yokohama.  

She finds inspiration in animals (fish in particular) and in the weirdest part of humanity. 

She is totally devoted to sushi.
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www.elenabanshart.com

@elena_bansh

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This piece was inspired by my time working as a preschool teacher in Tokyo. Every day, the whole school would line up and we’d go for a nice walk to the park. Since we always walked two-by-two, the line got pretty long! Interspersed between the kiddos we would have teachers holding hands and carrying babies. The image of preschoolers in matching hats and smocks carrying water bottles and being watched over by teachers pushing a basket full of babies always reminds me of my time working, and it’s a really nice memory.

I made this in the springtime so of course I had to include hydrangea as well!
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My name is Fiona Ostby and I’m an illustrator from the Bay Area. I came to Tokyo in 2014 to study Japanese and I’ve been here ever since. I’m currently getting my phd making comics at Tokyo Zokei University, and loving every minute of it!
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www.fionaostby.com
@fostby

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I love the different culture festivals in Japan, I especially like Kodomo no hi with its colourful Koinobori. Because carps, ands so koi, are still my favorite fish since childhood, this day always reminding me of strenghtening my inner child.

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Sophie Marie Pulkus is a Hamburg based illustrator and bookdesigner. After graduating in Illustration from Hamburg University of Applied Sciences she is focussing her work mostly around cultural topics. Being inspired by the natural world and everyday life from her time in Japan, she likes using mainly limited colour palettes and wax pastelles.

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www.sophie-pulkus.com

@sophie_pulkus_illustration

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When I see snow in Tokyo it feels so peaceful and as if time stands still. I wanted to express how quiet snow feels.
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Goldie Cai is a San Francisco based illustrator and designer. Her clients include Walmart, Adobe, Anthroplogie, Minted and many more. 

She finds inspiration in quiet moments, screen printing, traveling to different cities (like Tokyo) and beautiful stationery.
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www.goldiecai.myportfolio.com
@goldiedraws

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When I started thinking of a cover that represented the theme ’Tokyo’, Japanese schoolgirls (女子高生) and their cool and edgy sense of fashion came to mind. Since my art style is 'dark and cute' and most of my illustrations are black and white, I drew the piece based on this style.

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Based out of Tokyo and having graduated from the Kyoto City University of Arts with an Art Curator license, I have been working as a graphic designer with international companies in the music, IT and games industries for more than ten years.

In addition to design work I illustrate in my private time. My accomplishments include work for Paramount Pictures, Adobe and Samsonite. My artistic world is one that is both dark and cute, and whose inhabitants share those qualities. With a diverse portfolio and skillsets I am always looking for opportunities to express my creativity.

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www.sakimurakami.com

@saki_illustrator

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I love ramen, the variations on this meal are endless. It seems there are no rules to how you can reinterpret the tradition: endless creative freedom... mmm, delicious freedom. I made this animation while staying in Tokyo for a month, where I tried to sample as many different styles of ramen as digestively possible.

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Maximillian Piras is a designer from NYC with a passion for music, tech, & philosophy. He grew up drawing & painting, but recently decided to devote his life to making GIFs.

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www.maximillian.nyc

@maximillian.nyc

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This is my image of Shibuya in Tokyo that is pop, chaotic, stimulating and free.

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Yuko Rai is an illustrator/painter, born and based in Tokyo. She graduated from Kuwasawa design school in Shibuya. She is into underground dance music and make that experience into unique, colorful, playful style of her work.

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yukorai.com

@yukorai

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Few years ago I went on a trip to Japan for about a month, I visited cities and country side as well and I loved, but the thing that really impressed me in many different ways was Tokyo.

Tokyo to me is mix of mystery, excitement, culture, caos, history, with a futuristic and magic feeling, is like a never-ending labyrinth where you can get lost, in few words Is an incredible metropolis.

I represented a couple, biking trough the labyrinthine streets of Shinjuku, like if they were two sort of  spirits wearing a Kitsune mask, I am very fascinated by legends and folklore and I like the story of the Kitsune, the Japanese white fox.
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Jacopo Degl'innocenti aka Japa, is a Brooklyn based Italian illustrator and animator, he moved to NYC in 2010 from Florence, Italy.
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www.japa-art.com

@japa_art

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This cover design gathers the main typical figures I picked up from Tokyo, without expliciting any precise location. Throughout this synthetic chart of elements, I designed a mental picture of what the city evokes for me. I call it “ TOKYO GENERIC ”. As an ode to Japanese urbanisation, it expresses a singular composition where density is not antithetical to nature or quiet places.

この表紙のイラストは私の心象の中での典型的な東京的な建造物を想像上の街にデザインし、配置し、まとめたものです。この人工的に作り上げた様々な要素のチャートを通して、私は東京という街が私に与える心の風景をデザインしました。私はこれを“東京ジェネリック”と名付けました。

東京の都市を賛美するという意味において、このイラストは自然や静寂が密集の対極にあるものではないということを一つの作品として表現しています。
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Cécile Brissez is a French Architect / Illustrator from Lille. She has contributed to architecture and graphic design studios in France and Japan. After several publications in web galleries, blogs, and web magazines like ArchDaily, she’s pursuing her career at the intersection of architecture and graphic design.

Cécile はフランス リール出身の建築家／イラストレーターです。彼女はフランスと日本で、建築及びグラフィックデザインのスタジオでキャリアを積んできました。ウェブギャラリー、ブログ、そしてArch Dailyといったウェブ誌などでも作品を発表してきました。現在、彼女は建築の要素を取り入れたグラフィックデザインの垣根を超えた仕事についています。

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www.cecilebrissez.com

@cecile_brissez

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My name is Elora, I'm a french Game artist that grew up in the Alps, A place that really shaped my interest in everything that surrounds me, plus my love for art and colours.

Currenlty working remotely as an Environment Artist, I am able to combine both my passion for art and travelling.

Influenced by Ghibli films, Ukiyo-E, impressionism and colour therapy, I like to create illustrations inspired by Japanese woodblock prints with a modern twist and a soothing colour palette.

I’m trying to convey through my art a dreamlike world, that brings nostalgia and serenity to anyone looking at it.
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elorapautrat.com

@owakita

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When I came to Tokyo for the first time, it was the beginning of April and I was brought to a hanami party directly from the airport, with my luggage.

There were many people who I didn't know, but everybody was smiling to me, pouring my glass of sake and giving me Japanese food to try. That was a warm, sunny day with great smelling flowers. I felt very welcomed and happy. That was such a great beginning of my Tokyo story. Today I live next to a famous sakura viewing spot and spring brings me a lot of inspiration and nice memories.

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Yeka Haski is a mixed-media artist and Illustrator from Russia living in Tokyo. 
She creates colorful artworks full of characters and works in such directions as fine art, illustration, fashion and design. 
She has done a number of exhibitions and collaborations with famous brands and right now is getting ready for her new solo show in June in Tokyo.

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www.yekahaski.com

instagram: @yekahaski

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I decided to focus on some of the most interesting statues and sculptures scattered around the city: from the cute Hachikō bronze at Shibuya station to the goliath Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba.
Painted in March, I limited the colour solely to Sakura pink to represent the imminent cherry blossom festival. 
I chose to draw the city with minimalist, crisp black lines and paint the figures and statues using patches of texture.
I wanted the painting style to reflect the city; clean, calm, creative and cool. 

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Ciaran Murphy is a Scottish illustrator with a background in animation, graduating (BAHons) Animation from Duncan of Jordanstone.
He specialises in lively editorial illustration and creative portraiture.
Ciaran works freelance from his home in Edinburgh where he lives with his wife, their cats, rabbits and ambitions.  

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www.ciaranmurphyillustration.com

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When I first came to Tokyo, like many I was fascinated by the coexistence of futuristic Japan and traditional Japan. Later, I fell in love with what the Japanese call 'wabi sabi', the acceptance of imperfection in things. I especially love the wabi sabi in simple urban scenes like a wall of discolored tiles hidden behind a couple of plants and a cat sleeping on an air-conditioning box - they are treasures to my eyes! This is the Tokyo I wanted to depict in this illustration for the Tokyoiter. My illustration here shows a house of the neighborhood which is not in line with the latest standards of beauty but yet displays beautiful harmony. This is the Tokyo I love the most! 

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I am Charlotte Cahill aka 'Curious Drawer', a French illustrator based in Tokyo. When I am not working on projects for clients, I like making illustrations inspired by my daily life.

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www.curiousdrawer.com
@curiousdrawer

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Yanaka was my inspiration for this piece. As I have always loved long walks and shitamachi atmosphere, I found myself drawn to Yanaka's quiet and well conserved Japanese architecture as well as the shift of lifestyle from fast pace center city. In the middle of very busy Tokyo, the quiet calm and slower pace of Yanaka has given me space to breathe a little and observe the streets.

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Mei Kanamoto is a multimedia artist. Born in Miyazaki, Japan.
Mei graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York where she studied illustration. Mei’s notable work includes New York’s Metropolitan Opera’s winter holiday campaign “Holiday Magic at The Met,” in which she created a series of characters and illustrations.
Her works have been shown at numerous exhibitions in New York, Rhode Island and Manila.

Mei illustrates in various mediums for both work and pleasure taking her inspiration from her daily life, fashion and other creative people around her. Mei is known for her colorful, vivid and playful drawings filled with her passion for life and art. While her skills lie in her versatility and ability to adapt to the various style and medium, she finds herself drawn to folk arts, polish posters, and patterns.
Currently living & working as art director and illustrator in Tokyo.

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www.mei-kanamoto.com
@kanamotomei

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 I walked past this very unassuming ramen shop in Oizumi Gakuen in Nerima during the day many times while visiting a friend who lived nearby. I scarcely noticed it. The first time I saw it at night though, it leapt out of the darkness. And so it is for so much of Tokyo, the beauty behind her drab exterior – like Cinderella – only revealing itself after the sun has gone down.

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Since his first visit to Japan in 1975 Canadian illustrator Johnny Wales has lived in Tokyo and Sado Island, where he now makes his home.

His children’s books have won the Lucy Maud Montgomery Children’s Literature Award and he has been shortlisted for Canada’s premiere literary prize, the Governor General’s Award. Since 1995 his illustrations of Tokyo have appeared weekly in the largest-circulation paper in the world, the Yomiuri Shimbun.

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www.johnny-wales.com

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Using collage to reminisce about my visit to Tokyo and the sensory overload that I experienced with its iconic skyline and architecture, mixed with the fantasy from my childhood of watching japanse black and white movies of monsters tearing through the city.

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London based artist/illustrator, Camberwell graduate and lover of fine cheeses – Illustrations using mixed media and collage. 

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www.daw2art.com

instagram: @jamesdaw_illustration

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再開発が進む渋谷の新しいビルを描いてみました。

My cover shows a new building in Shibuya, where huge redevelopment is currently taking place.

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Born in Fukushima, Nao is a Japanese illustrator now living and working in Yokohama, Japan.

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www.naotatsumi.net

instagram: @nao_tatsumi

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Tokyo is unique. Tokyo is dynamic, traditional, modern, crazy, fun, minimalist, kitsch, fresh, inspiring, surreal...and that's basically what I tried to express with my collage of shapes, textures and colors.

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Claudia Torán is an illustrator from Valencia (Spain) currently living and drawing in London. She studied Fine Arts at UPV and Leeds University, specializing in Illustration and Graphic Design MA. A fresh style where the importance of process and expressiveness give color and forcefulness to her graphic proposal.

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www.claudiatoran.com

instagram: @claudiatoran

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I’ve been living in Tokyo for 2 years.

This cover is inspired by kissaten - old school Showa era coffee shops filled with retro fixings and an atmosphere like no other. 

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Ailsa is a British illustrator currently living in Tokyo

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www.ailsajohnson.com

instagram: @ailsarr

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I've been twice in Tokyo and fell in love with this city. 

For the cover, I've been inspired by my trip at Nakano Broadway's Mandarake, where you can find anything you want about manga. I spent all my money on Sentai figurines and thought it was funny to draw them fighting Hello Kitty for the cover. 

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Marion Laurent is living in Paris where she makes illustrations as well as comic books and children book illustrations.

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www.cargocollective.com/marionlaurent 

instagram: @marion_laurent_

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the central character with his multiple pupils represents me because I did not know where to put my eyes so there is something to see in this city. I was inspired by the graphical octopuses I saw at the Tsukiji market, the cake tricks I saw in the shop window, the video games that rocked my childhood and that I found in video arcades in Tokyo. There are many small details that slip into the illustration. From architecture to a face of a friendly cook or from a logo I saw on a candy packaging ! I loved this city and I could still draw so many things that inspired me there ... it's an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

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www.sophiababari.com

Instagram: @sophia_babari

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私は、東京で働くサラリーマンをモチーフにしました。鎧兜をスーツに変えて、時には自我を殺し、会社の戦力となり働く東京のサラリーマン。彼らは現代日本において、まさしく「侍」であると私は感じます。

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阿部結 (あべ・ゆい) / YUI ABE
宮城県気仙沼市出身、東京都在住。美術教師をしながら画家として活動する父に影響を受け、幼少の頃より絵を描きはじめ、現在はイラストレーターとして、本、雑誌、CDジャケットのイラストなどを手がける。

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yuiyuiabe.jimdo.com

instagram: @yuiabe1025

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伝統文化と最新の文化が、当たり前のように混ざり合っている、小さくてファンタジックな都市 “東京” を描きました。

I drew a small and fantasist "Tokyo" where,  as usual, traditional culture and the latest culture are mixed.

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Yo Ueda is a painter and illustrator based in Tokyo, Japan.
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nihonashi.com

insta: @yo__ueda

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In April 2017 I spent a month in Tokyo where I animated a new GIF every day for 30 days inspired by something that happened during my stay.

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James Curran (aka SlimJim Studios) is a British animator and director now living in New York

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www.slimjimstudios.com

insta: @slimjimstudios

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A great respect for Tokugawa family who had built Edo more than 400 years ago. They would be amazed by the current Tokyo view from their fusuma doors if they were here. This is one of my artwork series, ‘Jeans Collection’, which are made with pieces of my old jeans.

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Born in Tokyo and based in Paris. After graduating from fashion college, she made her debut as an illustrator with a serialization in Vogue Nippon. Her work has been and continues to be well received in the fields of ads, textiles, packaging and the like. In 2007, she moved to France in order to find a new source of inspiration. She express her own unique narrative world with the use of edgy lines and simple colors.

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www.miwagoto.com

insta: @miwa_goto

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waneella.tumblr.com

insta: @waneella

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金沢美術工芸大学でグラフィックデザインを修了後、東京の映像制作会社に就職。SONY QRIO、ROLLYのモーションデザイナーを経て独立し、イラストレーターに転身。現在はTV番組・CM・Web・雑誌・書籍など、各メディア媒体で活動中。最近の趣味は街角スケッチ・アニメーション制作。

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Hama-House studied graphic design in Kanazawa College of Art. After a few years of programming motion design of SONY QRIO, Rolly for a movie production company in Tokyo, he became a freelance illustrator. As an illustrator, he has contributed to a broad range of media including TV, websites, books, and magazines. He spends day off urban sketching in Tokyo and making animations.

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http://hama-house.com/

@hamahouse

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Mathieu De Muizon is a french illustrator working between Paris and London.

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mathieudemuizon.com

@mathieudemuizon

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Mariya Suzuki was born in Nara and studied illustration in Long Beach, California. She currently works as an illustrator in Tokyo. 

She has contributed her work for many musicians, food professionals, and books and magazines from around the world. In addition to printed media, she also collaborates with interior designers to draw murals.Aside from work, she enjoys going around town to draw subjects whose shape or story catches her attention. 

Mariya Suzukiは奈良生まれのイラストレーター。カリフォルニア州ロングビーチでイラストレーションを学び、現在は東京をベースに活動中。国内外の多くのミュージシャンや食のプロフェッショナル、本や雑誌など、幅広くイラストを提供している。紙媒体に加え、インテリアのアクセントとなるような壁画も手がける。まちを歩きながら、心に響く形やストー

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www.mariyasketch.com

@mariyasuzuki

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Andrew Browne is an american artist based in Saint Paul, US and Tokyo, Japan.

His ballpoint pen drawings pull from numerous influences—film, ukiyo-e, gritty Tokyo streets, and contemporary Japanese and American pop culture.

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www.monomizer.com

@monomizerart

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When I starting think of what I wanted to draw for the cover The Tokyoiter, Hanami (Cherry blooming) period was just around the corner and it was in everyone's mind. The other subject, that I was on my mind a lot at the time, was how Japanese people put much pride and time into their hobbies. In the end, I took these two cultures, tradition one and modern one and juxtapose them to make hopefully an enjoyable image to look at.

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Louis-Étienne Vallée an illustrator and animator currently based in Tokyo.

I've previously worked in Print,  Gaming and Animation for television and I'm available for freelance work.

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www.louisetiennevallee.com

@louis_etienne_vallee

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Ootsu Moeno is a Japanese illustrator based in Tokyo.

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ootsumoeno.tumblr.com

@ootsumoeno

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Thibaud Herem is a French illustrator based in London. Working with pencil and Indian inks his work has continued to evolve. Today he has defined a distinct signature style and specialises in creating architectural drawings with an incredible level of hand drawn detail.

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thibaudherem.com

@thibaudherem

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Niikura Sachiyo is Japanese illustrator working in Tokyo.

福岡県出身　東京都在住

2005年からフリーのイラストレーターとして活動を始める。

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http://www1.odn.ne.jp/sachiyo-n/

http://rappyo-s.tumblr.com/

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I wanted to picture something iconically Tokyo for the cover image, but without making it look cheap. I remembered how the Tokyo Skytree filled up almost all the sky when I was taking a walk there from Asakusa. After some location hunting in the scorching sun I found a perfect shot of the tower and a small street with interesting buildings to match. An old lady watering her plans with her grandson where the perfect accent I needed for my Tokyo scene - old and new in harmony.

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Mateusz is a background artist and animation creator from Poland, currently working as a digital creator (Mainly doing animaiton background art) at Comix Wave Films animation studio in Tokyo.

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mateuszurbanowicz.com

Instagram: @mateusz_urbanowicz

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「このイラストは、東京にも（京都ほど有名ではないにせよ）花街があることにインスパイアされて描きました。浅草や人形町などを歩いていれば、そんな区域にばったり出くわせるかもしれません。東京のいたるところで見られる蛍光灯の光や看板を表現したくて、着物の中にカラフルな模様を描き込みました。」

"I was inspired to make this illustration from the fact that Tokyo also has its own Geisha district, although not as well known as Kyoto. If you're lucky enough, you might stumble upon them in areas like Asakusa or Yoshi-cho. I wanted to use the colorful patterns in her kimono to depict the city lights and signboards all around Tokyo."

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Fern Choonet is a freelance illustrator originally from Bangkok, educated in Toronto and currently living in Tokyo. She had been based in Japan since 2013. Her works can be found on both commercial and editorial projects. 

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fernchoonet.com

Instagram: fernchoonetillus

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The YamanoteYamanote poster project is the brainchild of Julien Wulff and Julien Mercier. The two Tokyo-based Swiss graphic designers follow the Yamanote line that loops through downtown Tokyo, stopping at all 29 stations to create two posters that present parallel visions inspired by the local neighbourhood. They then carefully select a venue in close vicinity to each station to showcase their one-time small-scale exhibition.

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www.yamanoteyamanote.com

@yamanoteyamanote

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The YamanoteYamanote poster project is the brainchild of Julien Wulff and Julien Mercier. The two Tokyo-based Swiss graphic designers follow the Yamanote line that loops through downtown Tokyo, stopping at all 29 stations to create two posters that present parallel visions inspired by the local neighbourhood. They then carefully select a venue in close vicinity to each station to showcase their one-time small-scale exhibition.

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www.yamanoteyamanote.com

@yamanoteyamanote

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市川・リョウコ、イラストレーター。千葉県生まれ千葉県在住。東京造形大学卒業。学芸員資格所持。デザイン会社勤務を経て、2009年よりフリーランスのイラストレーターとして活動開始。雑誌、書籍、広告、壁画などで活動し、テキスタイル、雑貨などのプロダクト制作も精力的におこなっています

Ryoko ichikawa is an illustrator based in Tokyo, Japan. Graduated Tokyo Zokey University (Art). Born in Chiba, Japan. Working as a freelance illustrator since 2009 after working for a design office in Tokyo. Works as an Illustrator in the field of wall paiting, book, advertising, magazine, and so on.

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ricoliro.com

Behance

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"My cover celebrates all the hidden nooks tucked in and out of the city. Inspired by the feeling of endless discovery, we never know what we will find"

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Justine (aka patterns and portraits) is a full-time freelance illustrator based in Tokyo, originally from Toronto. She is also the creator of the  '21 Days in Japan: An Illustrative Study on Japanese Cuisine' project, consisting of 100 paintings of her meals throughout Japan.

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www.patternsandportraits.com

@patternsandportraits

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www.loiclocatelli.com

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@loiclocatelli

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Tokyo brims with a stark juxtaposition between old and new. While some cities struggle to find a balance between such polar opposite yet perpetual traits, Tokyoites harmonise the two. While a girl in a kimono playing on her phone is hardly a rare sight in Tokyo, to me it personifies this beautiful marriage between the past and present. It simultaneously reflects a respect for tradition and a curiosity for the future.

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Karan Singh is an artist and illustrator based in Tokyo.

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www.madebykaran.com

@madebykaran

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Hiroki Suzuki is a Tokyo based illustrator. His illustration technique is cut and paste.

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www.hirokicut.com

@hirokicut

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東京の風景を描くシリーズ「下町百景」の中の一枚。「スズナリ（下北沢）」

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1979年東京生まれ

多摩美術大学造形表現学部造形学科日本画専攻卒業

2008年よりイラストレーターとして活動開始。

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Facebook

Instagram: @shinji_tsuchimochi

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"I like sento. This is the reason why i chose it. But I tried to explain also that we are the same. Is not important oun country, race or gender. When undress us from our masks we do and think the same thing"

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Alessandro Bioletti is an illustrator born in Turin on 21st August 1986. Since he was just a child he used to look at his granddad’s photo book of Japan and so he started nurturing a strong interest for the country. At 16 he started learning Japanese and at 18 he made his first trip to this faraway land. He has kept travelling and simultaneously kept drawing. Over the years these two passions united and became one. In December 2014, he published his first children book “mitsukete Alekun! sekai no tabi” with the biggest Japanese publisher, Shogakukan. From May 2015, he is living in Tokyo and working as illustrator.

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alekun.com

www.behance.net/alekun

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1991年生まれ。岡山県出身。大学卒業後、独学でフリーのイラストレーターに。

ファッションやカルチャー誌を中心に海外のCDカバーなども手がける。

Originaly from Okayama pref., Aiko Sogo is  currently working working as a freelance illustrator, with a focus on fashion and culture magazine.

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http://aikosogoillustration.tumblr.com/

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Luis Mendo is a spanish illustrator based in Tokyo. 

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www.luismendo.com

Instagram: @luismendo

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"AWA ODORI Dance is a very famous festival every summer in Japan.

I went to the AWA ODORI Dance festival in Koenji before and I felt the power of culture from their dance.

At the same time, the drunk salary man is also a very powerful cultural symbol in Tokyo."

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Chiyun Yeh a.k.a Yo is an illustrator and UI/UX designer from Taiwan, currently based in Tokyo. 

She is using two color, red and blue ballpoint-pen to draw the things she sees, she feels and from her imagination. 

Beside ballpoint-pen illustration, She also draws comics, try to tell some stories and bring the courage for people. 

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www.chiyun-yeh.com

Instagram: @yochan666

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"I have a family member living in Japan which gives me excuse to visit every now and again and not surprisingly, I'm in love with Japan. 

There are so many things that inspire my about this country, like its beautiful nature, its food, the art and the amount of mascots around… 

But one of the main inspiration I find in folklore and all the magical beings of Japan. I’m originally from Ukraine and grew up surrounded by folk tales and superstitions, and even though I never truly believed in any of it, it always fascinated me. I miss that in modern Western world. 

So the creatures on my cover are made up but they are inspired by Japanese Yokai and just like the rest of Tokyo, they’re taking a spontaneous nap on the train. "

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Yuliya is an illustrator, designer and author focused on creating for children. 

Born and raised in Ukraine, she have been living in the Netherlands since 2008.

she creates illustrations for books, magazines, clothes, toys, stationery and more. she also design and lead kids creative workshops and DIY hang outs.

Make art not war!

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yufrukt.com

instagram: @yufrukt

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Graeme McNee lives in Kobe and makes comics, zines and prints.

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www.graememcnee.com

Instagram: @graememcnee.com

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tent is an illustrator born and based in Tokyo.

1983年東京生まれ。雑誌や書籍を中心に活動中。渋谷から宮益坂を登って、青山まで来たなと感じるポイントを描いてみました。

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tentintokyo.com

instagram: @tent_illustration

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Joey Meuross is a digital artist and designer based in Japan. His 3D pixel art style relates back to ‘90s 32-bit video games.

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www.cargocollective.com/joeymeuross

Twitter: @joeymeuross

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Shindo Keiko is a Kichijoji, Tokyo based illustrator. He usually works with acrylic gouache on canvas.

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http://keiko.shindo.link

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Hennie Haworth is a UK based illustrator. She spent six months in Japan drawing vending machines. Her work covers buildings, food, clothes, patterns and can be regularly viewed in newspapers and book covers round the world.

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henniehaworth.com

Instagram: hennie_haworth

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“I visited Japan a couple of years ago and fell madly in love with the country. I drew a lot of characters in my sketchbooks and if iI wasn’t drawing the people I was sketching the buildings, then the cars, then the signage until I had a huge amount of work. I eventually collaged it into this illustration, I wanted it to feel friendly, packed, colourful and futuristic, all my memories and feelings of Tokyo”

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Tilly is a smaller than average person who works with larger than life clients. Be it editorial, advertising or packaging, she likes to approach each with originality and a touch of humour. Tilly draws inspiration from the everyday and the odd and enjoys creating characters based on the folks around her.

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www.runningforcrayons.co.uk

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Masako Kubo is a Japanese illustrator based in New Zealand. She loves printmaking and works for clients from around the world.

イラストレーター。版画や手刷が好き。現在ニュージーランドを拠点に世界中の様々なクライアントの仕事を手がけている。

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www.masakokubo.co.uk

tumblr: masakokubo.tumblr.com

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78年生まれ。アートディレクター、グラフィックデザイナー、イラストレーター。

Born in 1978. Art Director, Graphic Designer, Illustrator

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www.shinpeionishi.com

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I don’t understand Tokyo. I like Tokyo. It’s cool, crazy and fun, but I don’t understand it. This illustration combines a bunch of stuff you’re likely to encounter in your first minute.

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Clayton McIntosh draws and plays in Kobe, Japan. He likes being genki and drawing dorky stuff. 

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www.domesticcowboy.com

@domesticcowboy

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Grace Lee is a Tokyo based illustrator originally from Sydney, Australia. Her work includes illustrations for Isetan, Beams, Elle, Bon Appétit and Lucky Peach magazines. She is Represented in Japan by BUILDING, and in Australia by The Jacky Winter Group.

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graceleeillustrator.com

instagram: @midnightgracie

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"My cover was inspired by the first time I saw a Sumo wrestler. It was at my local station, where he was looking at his phone, waiting for a train."

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Nick Alston is a British freelance illustrator living in Tokyo. He likes to create simplistic, fun images for clients such as, Anorak magazine, T-Shirt store and The Illustrated Mind.

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www.nickalston.co.uk

Twitter: @nicholas_alston

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"Based on my experience in Tokyo so far, there seem to be common values that link Japanese people to one another. When riding the subway day-to-day, you can see individuals who appear eager to stand-out from the masses, and others who appear happy to fit-in. Underneath a Japanese person’s chosen appearance or attitude, I’m curious to know how strong the common cultural links remain between them. Are they curious to know too?"

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Rob McMaster is a New Zealand illustrator and storyboard artist living in Tokyo. He is inspired by strong storytelling, great line-work and his surroundings. 

www.robmcmaster.com

Tumblr: robmcmaster.tumblr.com

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木村カエラ10周年記念LIVEのグッズデザインを手掛けるほか、 ノルウェー・南アフリカ・スペインなど世界各国の海外ミュージシャンのグッズデザインを担当。 また、MARC BY MARC JACOBSやCOACHのイベントにイラストが起用されるなどジャンルを問わず幅広く活動中。

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http://walnutnews.blogspot.jp

@walnut_illustration

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I was deeply inspired by the Japanese calligraphy masters that I saw in temples like the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.  I went straight to Tokyu Hands and bought myself 2 brushes and some ink and set to the task to exemplify Tokyo in what will hopefully be a fluid calligraphy influenced illustration of the places I saw around and from Tokyo.

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Julio has been drawing and illustrating for many years now and spending time with his family is the only thing that overcomes his love for drawing.

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@drawthatout

www.drawthatout.com