Ten Japanese Illustrators You Should Know

Written By Stephanie Broder

I’m a massive fan of Japanese illustration, partially because it’s an art form taken seriously there! Every time I make a trip, I find a new Japanese illustrator to admire, and I always return home with a suitcase full of art books.

If you’re curious about this incredible illustration environment, here are ten Japanese illustrators I think you should know about.

Yusuke Nakamura

I’ve written about Yusuke Nakamura before. He was one of the first Japanese illustrators I was obsessed with. I was lucky enough to see an exhibition of his works when I was in Osaka in 2017 and I still collect books and magazines of his work everytime I go to Japan. I love the flat colours, meticulous black linework and incredible eye for nostalgic detail. Every item in Nakamura’s illustrations is reference directly from Japanese life, making each picture like an I Spy of Japanese ephemera.

Junaida

I was very lucky when the bookstore I wandered through in Tokyo this year had a display table dedicated to the books of Junaida. This particular gem caught my eye because it's a story told without words. And each detailed watercolour illustration, packed with satisfying detail, collects into one, large unfolded poster in the back of the book.

Takato Yamamoto

In a year where we all can’t stop talking about Astarion (from Baldur’s Gate 3), it seemed fitting that my recent trip to Japan presented me with this small, delicious gem of vampire art. Takato Yamamoto’s gothic, erotic works of doe-eyed vampires and their victims is stunningly presented in a compact codex with richly red edge-painted pages. Reminiscient of both modern manga and hisotrical ukiyo-e, you’d be a fool to miss out on this illustrator’s work.

Sekuda

I first discovered the work of Sekuda in a collection of fashion illustrators I picked up in Kinokuniya in Seattle and was awe-struck by the three or so images in that book. I kept going back to them, the beauty of the imagined models of these lovingly rendered clothes. So I was thrilled to find Sekuda’s book Pockets in Osaka, packed from cover-to-cover with beautiful people, emotive faces, stunning fashion details and popping colours.

Nancysnake

I was so excited when I found this collection of illustrators working in a Neo Retro style that looked like it came straight outta the 90s. And Nancysnake is my favourite illustrator in an incredible collection! I love her garish colours, holographics, strange environments and full 90s anime eyes. If you’re not overcome by nostalgia looking at Nancysnake’s work, look again.

PHI

I love the blobby, round characters of PHI’s style but more than that I love the concept of this little zine! THEM is a book that shows the inhabitants of this fictional apartment building page-by-page, giving you glimpses into their personality, spaces and relationships with colourful spot illustrations.

meru illust

Like PHI, meru illust came to my attention via a cute little zine with a great premise. Heroes is a collection of character designs for superhero characters. Each illustration is so rich with detail and personality, they feel like they have stories even though they may only exist within this zine. If you like thoughtful, dynamic character design with silly designs that will make you chuckle, you can’t miss meru illust’s work.

Awai

I wish I had more books with Awai’s work! These cute, pastel images are full of character and charm. I found Awai’s work in a book of collected fashion illustrators and I can see how these clean, detailedl illustrations with an eye for colour and pattern would be a benefit to sell the clothes the characters wear.

Taira Shiki

I could recommend every single illustrator in this beautiful collection of portrait illustrators, but I’ll just highlight two for now. Taira Shiki’s soft, ethereal portraits capture the beauty of traditional Japan, including elaborately detailed and patterned kimonos. Details like the heavy red blush on the nose, ears and fingertips make these portraits somehow juicy.

Nakahara Arisa

The second portrait artist from the same art book is Nakahara Arisa. In her work, we see a lot of the same patterns and detailed, layered clothing as Taira Shiki but with a focus on the contemporary. Soft, almost airbrushed faces are adorned with heavily rendered eyes, lips and nose, making each face a dreamy focal point to images packed with texture and colour.

 

I hope these ten incredible Japanese illustrators are a good taster to get you excited about the genre! My Japanese art book collection is overflowing so stay tuned for more.

Stephanie Broder
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