Illustration #10

Plot

Featuring 150 talented artists, the book spans Japan’s vibrant illustration scene—from a wide range of pop culture to the ever-evolving internet culture that continues to draw global attention.

All featured artists have been newly selected, with none carried over from the previous volume, “ILLUSTRATION 2025,” offering a fresh glimpse into the forefront of contemporary illustration.

The 2026 cover is illustrated by PALOW., a popular illustrator known for character designs for virtual singer KAF and extensive work with KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO.

The book design is handled by the cutting-edge designer Tomoyuki Arima, trusted by many creators.

At the end of the book, there’s an interview with Xin-Woo Chae, character designer for the smartphone RPG “Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space,” and Hide Horiuchi, art director of “.MP,” who has contributed extensively to anime and manga-related designs. Additionally, a special dialogue between PALOW. and Tomoyuki Arima discusses the cover design process.

The ILLUSTRATION series upholds the slogan “Human creativity is a shining gem,” and fully respects the unique histories, personalities, and creativity of each featured artist as values of irreplaceable worth.