Article: Inside the Shunya Yamashita Exhibit: A Visual Journey for Fans
Inside the Shunya Yamashita Exhibit: A Visual Journey for Fans
From September 13 to 24, 2024, we held the "Shunya Yamashita Exhibition: BISHOUJO 15th Anniversary". The venue was Design Festa Gallery in Ura-Harajuku, an area known for its trendy and unique shops—a fitting location for Yamashita-sensei's art, which shines with overwhelming talent and style.
At the entrance of the exhibition, we were greeted by a stunning, large-scale illustration of Kotomi Kotobuki, the character created to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the BISHOUJO series!
The first area is centered around game-related works. By displaying illustrations alongside the figures kindly lent by Kotobukiya, the space is designed to fully immerse visitors in the world of BISHOUJO.
The first to welcome visitors are Kotomi Kotobuki called as Kotomi-chan and the characters from Darkstalkers (Vampire). Kotomi-chan is set to be 15 years old, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the BISHOUJO series.
With illustrations as the backdrop and figures on display, the SNK world is in full force! We hope fans will also enjoy decorating their homes with both illustrations and figures. It’s sure to give any room a stylish upgrade!
In the illustration display, we’ve used pearlescent paper to create a special effect where the lighting makes the illustrations appear slightly raised. This technique enhances the dynamic lines in Yamashita-sensei's artwork, allowing you to fully appreciate the captivating details. Unfortunately, it's difficult to capture this effect in photographs, so we highly recommend experiencing it in person at the venue—it’s one of the key highlights.
Transformers, Metal Gear Solid, and Hatsune Miku
Marvel, DC and Horror etc.
MARVEL
DC
Yamashita-sensei shared that while he loves all the BISHOUJO illustrations he has created, Freddy & Jason from the horror series are particularly memorable for him. He wanted to respond to Kotobukiya's passion for realizing the concept of turning these legendary horror characters into female versions. Yamashita's creativity in making them both stylish and cute is truly remarkable!
Yamashita's "Plastic Angels" is a popular illustration series that has been running since 2013 in Armor Modeling, a tank model magazine published by Dai Nippon Kaiga. It portrays everyday scenes of high school girls in the plastic model club—Ange (a short-haired club leader), Lanna (her long-haired junior), and Mogu the pug—captured in a vibrant, pop-art style.
To express the world of Plastic Angels, the illustrations are not framed like those in the BISHOUJO area. Instead, they are slightly raised off the wall to create a pop-art impression. Following Yamashita-sensei's idea, various poses and expressions of the characters were made into die-cut acrylics and scattered around the displayed illustrations, highlighting Ange and Lanna's cuteness to the fullest!
This is the section showcasing the rare hand-drawn original artwork. Fans were captivated, gazing intently at the smooth, flowing lines and intricate details.
This is the 88Graph pieces created by EDITION88 using Yamashita’s illustrations! 88Graph is an artistic expression method developed exclusively by our company, EDITION88. It utilizes a mixed printmaking technique, combining multiple methods to pursue a highly distinctive and unique form of expression.
Shunya Yamashita's 88Graph pieces are crafted using high-quality paper infused with shimmering particles, resulting in a brilliant, sparkling finish. Deluxe edition of 88Graph pieces are not only larger in size but also incorporates advanced techniques, such as selectively applying glossy ink to certain areas. This makes it an even more refined piece of art. With only 30 copies available worldwide, it is truly a rare and valuable item!
The piece in the upper right is the deluxe edition.
It’s frustrating that the beauty of the deluxe edition doesn’t come through well in photos... The actual piece is incredibly stunning!
Darkstalkers (Vampire) BISHOUJO Morrigan, 88Graph
The Chun-Li piece from Street Fighter on the left is the silver edition of the 88Graph, featuring a base of glossy silver aluminum vapor-deposited paper. The surface has a fine textured finish, giving it a stylish and sophisticated appearance. The framing uses a floating design, and its thickness adds a sense of luxury—truly a standout feature!
TEKKEN BISHOUJO Asuka, 88Graph
Left: Metal Gear Solid BISHOUJO Sniper Wolf, 88Graph (Deluxe) and (Silver)
Right: Plastic Angels 88Graph
Yamashita's bold illustration perfectly complements the silver background, creating an exceptionally stylish and sophisticated finish.
Kotobuki Kotomi, created to celebrate the 15th anniversary of BISHOUJO, is featured in the commemorative main visual for this exhibition. This special 88Graph of Kotomi-chan includes the BISHOUJO 15th anniversary logo at the bottom of the mat, making it a truly special piece!
The Transformers 88Graph is a special piece that comes as a set featuring four characters!
Behind the acrylic block is trading card-sized 88Graph pieces, aptly named 88Graph (Lite)! These entry-level art pieces come with a sturdy paper mat, ready to be displayed as is.
This is an art tile. Not only is it collectible as a mini art piece, but it's also made from an absorbent material, making it a practical item that can be used as a coaster.
The acrylic stands are incredibly popular, with some fans buying the entire collection!
The acrylic stands quickly became covered in red sold-out signs within just a few days... Apologies to those who couldn't purchase them at the venue.
These are sticker products that come with two pieces. 
If you want to decorate your desk with your favorite illustrations, acrylic blocks are a highly recommended item!
We’ve introduced the exhibited illustrations and products for sale, but the beauty of the illustrations seen in person at the venue is truly stunning!
We hope that the charm of the illustrations created by Yamashita-sensei reaches as many fans as possible.
Please access the products for sale from the following link.
SHUNYA YAMANSHITA ART COLLECTION
