Introduction of authors 4

28 Suzuki Noritake (1975-)

He became a picture book creator after working as a bullet train driver, a graphic designer, and other jobs. He has created numerous unique picture books with a sense of fun, starting with the "Shigotoba [Workplaces]" series which introduces various workplaces in a pop fashion with detailed drawings. He produces picture books which can be enjoyed just for the pictures, modeled after the science picture books of Kako Satoshi (1926-2018) who he says had a strong influence on him during his childhood.

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29 tupera tupera

This is a unit composed of the married couple Kameyama Tatsuya (1976-) and Nakagawa Atsuko (1978-). The name of the unit comes from a magical spell which the couple made up, and has the meaning "loose head screws". The unit's activities started from the production of cloth goods, and they began working on picture books with "Ki ga zurari [A line of trees]". Working mainly in collage, the unit combines various papers and then applies paint on top of them to create unique tones and designs. They also hold nationwide workshops that emphasize interaction with readers.

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30 Miyakoshi Akiko (1982-)

She began creating picture books while in college, and made her debut as a picture book creator with "Taifu ga kuru [A typhoon is coming]" in 2009. She depicts stories which flow freely between reality and fantasy in black and white using charcoal and pencil, skillfully expressing light and shadow through the use of shades of black. Her detailed drawings of character clothes and miscellaneous goods give her imaginary worlds a sense of realness.

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31 Arai Maki (1965-)

From the age of 16, she studied botanical art under Kumada Chikabo (1911-2009), a painter famous for his miniatures of insects, plants, and flowers. After working as an editor and illustrator for natural science books, she produced numerous science picture books based on familiar plants which introduce their growth and lives. She grows plants herself as much as possible, to carefully study and depict in meticulous and detailed watercolors.

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32 Miroko Machiko (1981-)

She made her debut as a picture book creator in 2012 with "Okami ga tobu hi [The day the wolf flew]". She uses powerful and bold brush strokes to depict the overwhelming vitality of plans and animals. In addition to holding exhibitions both within Japan and overseas, she also works as an art director for children's television programs and also periodically holds workshops.

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33 Kikuchi Chiki (1975-)

A handmade book he presented at a private exhibition found its way into the hands of a picture book editor, and in 2012 he made his debut as a picture book creator with two works, "Shironeko kuroneko [White cat, black cat]", which he both wrote and did the art for, and "Yamaneko no ohanashi [Mountain cat story]", which was written by Doi Kaya and for which he did the art. He creates picture books using dynamic brush strokes and vivid colors, using the abundant nature of his native Hokkaido, and episodes from watching his son grow, as material for his works.

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34 Yoshitake Shinsuke (1973-)

After graduating from college, he worked at a video game production company before becoming an illustrator. His first picture book, "Ringo kamo shirenai [It might be an apple]", which was published in 2013, was very well received for its humorous and free thinking approach to considering the possibilities of what "might be..." which overturns rigid conceptions of things that are right in front of us. He approaches ordinary, everyday occurrences with a unique perspective, playing with ideas to find the fun and humor in them. His works are characterized by a style which makes readers chuckle while eliciting sympathy and shared feelings.

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35 Higuchi Yuko

She began presenting her works at private exhibitions while still in art college. After a period of raising her child thereafter, in recent years she has been active as a painter and picture book creator. In addition to being highly popular for her works features cats modeled after her own beloved cats, she has also garnered much attention for design of goods and collaborations with fashion brands. Her works are characterized by detailed art which combines the beautiful and the grotesque.

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Okimoto Atsuko (1978-)

After working at Bronze Publishing, in the autumn of 2019 she began working as a freelance editor. In recent years, she has produced a number of high-profile works, including Suzuki Noritake's "Shigotoba [Workplaces]" series, Kagakui Hiroshi's "Darumasan [Mr. Daruma]" series, and Yoshitake Shinsuke's "Ringo kamo shirenai [It might be an apple]". In addition to editing, she also works as a supervisor for the "VIVITA BOOKS" project in which children and university students work together to create original picture books.

Tsutsui Daisuke (1978-)

Many of the works he has been involved with, including Miroko Machiko's "Ore to kiro [Me and Yellow]", have won numerous picture book-related awards both in Japan and overseas. After working at publishing companies Kyouikugageki and Eastpress, he currently works freelance. While continuing to work on editing of picture books, he also focuses on discovering and developing new creators, and working to construct environments which allow creators to create picture books as they desire through the workshops and other activities.