Capturing Attention with an Iconic Character: Who is Next-Generation Artist "YAMEPI©"?

've loved drawing since I was little. When I was in elementary school, I would copy characters from "ONE PIECE," "NARUTO," and "HUNTER×HUNTER," and when my friends started praising my work, I began to vaguely think that someday I'd like to make drawing my career.

No, I had this vague feeling that I wanted to make art my job, but I didn't start studying seriously until the summer of my senior year in high school. I felt that if I was going to aim to be an artist, I had to find my own style. So I sat in front of my iPad, drawing all kinds of pictures while exploring the art style and approach that suited me.

Since I loved hip-hop and street fashion, I drew characters styled that way. It wasn't the current "BOYS" character—what I was drawing in college was a character wearing a hoodie with only the eyes visible. But I felt this limited my range of expression, so I kept experimenting, looking for a character I could draw more freely that would fit my style better. That's how "BOYS" was born.

I found it incredibly fun to draw this character in various fashions and headgear. As I posted my work on Instagram, I started getting more reactions from overseas and gaining recognition. The series that got the best response was nine pieces of "BOYS" numbered NO.1 through NO.9. Creating this series clarified the "BOYS" style and led to where I am today. I started thinking I could do all kinds of things with this character.

Looking back, I guess being featured by "sabukaru.online" was significant. I met people from their editorial team, and through them, I also met my current management company, which led to participating in a group exhibition (*). The positive responses to "BOYS" at this exhibition were huge. Whenever I take action, I tend to deliberately create situations where there's no turning back and push myself, and that was one of those times. The birth of "BOYS" helped me commit to my dream of "making art my career."

"Taiyo Matsumoto" (manga artist). When I was in third grade, my uncle introduced me to "Ping Pong," "Tekkon Kinkreet," and "Number Five," and I fell in love with them. The feel of his lines, the atmosphere of his characters—his art style had a huge influence on me.

Figure culture has really influenced me too, and that's where my approach to packaging my work comes from. Toy packaging has this appeal that makes you want to collect it, right? I tried to project that mysterious charm that satisfies our material desires into my own work. Even with my canvas pieces, I don't sell them individually—I wrap and present them as packaged products. I want to keep creating with that sense of "this is something I'd want to collect myself, something that gets me excited."

I love fashion, and for "BOYS," I create styles I'd want to wear myself, or styles I can't pull off but love. My personal favorite brand is "A BATHING APE®" from "NIGO®"'s era—the colors and designs have hugely influenced me.

I like it not just for wearing but also for collecting. I love the fashion that emerged in Ura-Harajuku in the 90s, and "BOUNTY HUNTER" is great too. They have this quality of expressing figures, including their packaging, which inspires me.

I've always wanted to turn "BOYS" into video content. I also want to actively pursue exhibitions overseas—in America, Europe, and Asia. As for my work, I want to expand beyond just paintings and develop many more figures. Right now, I'm making each one by hand, but I want to create a production line so more people can get their hands on them. Figures are something I love myself. I'd also like to take over streets with my "COMET" crew, decorating and creating art installations throughout the city.

I'm always thinking about doing bigger things. While presenting my art with meaningful messages is essential, I want our created world to permeate the real world so everyone can enjoy that world together.