Here are some of the characters I have created, along with the background and concept behind each design.
Shunan University (Yamaguchi)
Welby
Inspired by the university's philosophy of valuing the local community, this character was designed with a wolf as its motif—a symbol of cooperation and teamwork. It represents the strong connection between students, the local community, and the university.
Umi-no-Mori Park (Tokyo)
Umi no Morisuke
Created as the symbolic character for Umi-no-Mori Park, a large-scale environmental restoration project in Tokyo, this design represents the park's transformation into a thriving forest. With a warm and approachable personality, the character conveys a sense of hope and a brighter future.
Watari Town (Miyagi)
Watarin
Created as a symbol of recovery for Watari Town following the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake, this character embodies hope and resilience. Inspired by Date Shigezane, the helmet incorporates the town's symbolic flower, the sasanqua camellia, along with strawberries, one of Watari's local specialties.
JA Chiba Midori (Japan Agricultural Cooperative Chiba Midori)
Chibamii
Inspired by the king of the "Vegetable Kingdom," this character is modeled after a lion, the king of beasts. Its green mane symbolizes the fertile agricultural fields of the JA Chiba Midori region, while the red and yellow crown represents the vibrant vegetables grown there.
Iga Ueno Castle, Mie Prefecture
Taiga-kun
Inspired by the name "Taiga," a play on the tiger associated with Todo Takatora, the lord of Iga Ueno Castle, and the place name "Iga," this character was designed with a tiger motif. The castle keep atop its head and its blue armor reflect the history and identity of Iga Ueno Castle.
Koshikijima Tourism Association, Kagoshima Prefecture
Koshikin
Created as the mascot for the Koshikijima Tourism Association on Koshikijima, a remote island in Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture, this character is inspired by Napoleon, reflecting the island's famous Napoleon Rock. The hat is adorned with the island's symbolic flower, the Kanoko lily, while the body is designed to resemble the Koshiki Ferry, representing the island's connection to the mainland.
Kanagawa Amusement Cooperative Association
Tamarin
Designed in response to the client's request for a round, lovable seal character, this mascot wears a marine-style cap inspired by the ports of Kanagawa Prefecture, reflecting the region's strong maritime identity.
Official Merchandise for the 50th Anniversary +1 Celebration
Kanpei Hazama
I created a stylized caricature of comedian Kanpei Hazama as a mascot character. The design was developed into a range of official merchandise, including plush toys, stickers, and smartphone grips.
Recruitment service company
Nyaito
Designed in response to the client's request for a cute cat character to appeal to a female audience, this mascot was created for a recruitment service. The design was featured on promotional trucks that drove through Tokyo while broadcasting music at high volume, attracting attention to the campaign.
Dental Clinic
With-kun
Designed with a deer motif inspired by a Japanese wordplay on "dental clinic," this character features antlers shaped like toothbrushes, making it instantly recognizable as the mascot of a dental clinic.
Recruitment service company
Garuru
Designed in response to the client's request for a tiger character that was not only cute but also full of personality, this mascot features a distinctive charm. Special attention was given to its expressive facial features and memorable silhouette, creating a character that is both lovable and unique.
Real Estate Company
Soomun
Designed in response to the client's request for a character wearing a mask with large, expressive eyes, this mascot was created with a cute and approachable appearance. In addition to the main design, a variety of poses were developed for use throughout the website, including poses introducing featured properties.
YouTuber (500K Subscribers)
Uemocchan
A stylized character based on the YouTuber "Uemocchan," whose channel with over 500,000 subscribers shares tips and knowledge about PC repair. The character was designed with a playful and charming style to reflect the creator's friendly personality.
Restaurant
Zekkouchou
Created for the yakitori restaurant Zekkouchou, this character is inspired by a bird, reflecting the restaurant's name and specialty. To create a bold and memorable impression, the design features an exaggeratedly long tongue as its signature element.
Official Merchandise for the Idol Group
Cruise of Camellia
Created as official merchandise for the idol group Cruise of Camellia, these stylized character illustrations were designed to be cute and appealing while faithfully capturing each member's unique personality and appearance
Get in Touch
Have a character design project in mind? Feel free to contact me for a consultation or a free quotation. I'd be happy to discuss your ideas with you.