Fantasista Utamaro - BE@RBRICK
Fantasista Utamaro is a Japanese artist that is currently living in Brooklyn, New York, and is primarily known for creating visually striking works with elements of Japanese pop culture like anime and manga blended into them. In September 2019, Medicom Toy would collaborate with Utamaro to create a BE@BRICK figure that is simply titled “BE@RBRICK Fantasista Utamaro 100% & 400%”.
Fantasista Utamaro x BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
This unique figure was created as a collaborative effort between several different companies and individuals. While Medicom Toy and Utamaro himself were obviously involved, this figure would not have been possible without the help of Tokyo Otaku Mode and Respect for Geeks (stylized as R4G), an anime-themed fashion and apparel store that Utamaro often creates designs for.
Collaboration Planning and Launch
The collaboration between Fantasista Utamaro and BE@RBRICK was first mentioned in June 2019 by Tokyo Otaku Mode. A single BE@RBRICK figure influenced by Utamaro’s style was announced. Those interested could pre-order the figure in either BE@RBRICKS’ standard 100% or 400% size until it officially released later that year in September. As of early 2021, this is the only design that has been created through this collaboration.
BE@RBRICK Fantasista Utamaro 100% & 400%
This BE@RBRICK figure is based on an original design created by Fantasista Utamaro titled “Tokyo Utamaro Pop New York” that was created specifically for this collaboration. It utilizes many aspects of Utamaro’s unique style, like creative and stylish graffiti-style fonts, anime-inspired icons and symbols, and, most importantly of all, a wide range of different colors. Despite the one-of-a-kind flair that this figure has, it still has all of the classic characteristics of a BE@RBRICK figure, like a pair of bear-like ears, articulated limbs, and so on. This set also includes two separate figures with the same design. The 100% figure is just under three inches tall, while the larger 400% figure is eleven inches tall.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Fantasista Utamaro 100% & 400
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Set of 2 painted, articulated, non-scale figures
- Height (Approx.): 100%: 70 mm; 400%: 280 mm
About Fantasista Utamaro
Fantasista Utamaro is a Japanese artist, designer, and animation director that was born in 1979 and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Much of his work takes great inspiration from Japanese popular culture, particularly from anime and manga. He is also known for his use of bright, vibrant colors and repeating patterns. Aside from his physical artwork and designs, Utamaro has also directed several music videos that encapsulate his unique style as well. One of his most popular music videos that he directed was for Pharrell Williams’ “It Girl”, which was released on September 30th, 2014. For the 5th anniversary of the Hatsune Miku EXPO, Utamaro collaborated with Crypton, Sato Kasoku, and emon(Tes) to create a music video for “Lucky☆Orb feat. Hatsune Miku”, which was released in May 2019. Utamaro also collaborated with an anime-themed fashion store named Respect for Geeks (R4G) to create licensed apparel based on popular franchises.
About Fantasista Utamaro’s “Tokyo Utamaro Pop New York”
This piece of artwork was created specifically for the collaboration between Utamaro and BEARBRICK. Although the piece was adapted to fit on a BE@RBRICK figure, a traditional drawing was made as well. Like several of his other pieces, “Tokyo Utamaro Pop New York” is composed of a repeatable pattern of various stylized words, icons, and other designs. While some of these words are onomatopoeia found in Japanese manga, other words like ‘Tokyo”, “New York”, and “Utamaro” are also scattered and repeated throughout. Other icons like anime-style eyes and hairstyles appear as well.
Other Important Fantasista Utamaro Artwork
Although Utamaro has collaborated with many companies to create unique designs, he has also made several other works of art. The following sections will showcase some of these artworks.
R4U (Respect for Utamaro)
R4U is a piece of art made by Fantasista Utamaro that was inspired by the Japanese woodblock print artist Utamaro Kitagawa. The composition of the piece is largely composed of cats and coins, which are supposed to be a sign of good fortune. Weapons like swords, axes, staves, and lances from popular Japanese anime and game franchises also appear and are supposed to represent the bravery needed to save the world. While the work itself was created by Utamaro, he also collaborated with Atelier Idem Paris, Keizabura Matsuzaki, and Senrei Sekioka to create the carvings and lithographs of the piece.
Fukuwarai Collection
This collection of art all centers around the theme of the Japanese game known as “fukuwarai”, which is a game that is very similar to “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”. Each work in the collection is composed of various hairstyles, clothing, and features from popular anime characters. Dragon Ball’s Goku and Sailor Moon’s Sailor Moon are the most prominent characters. Features of both characters are completely jumbled and scattered about, giving it a striking and unique design.
Related Figures
Fans of both BE@RBRICK and popular artists have plenty of different figures to add to their collection as well. Whether it be classics like Andy Warhol and Lisa Larson or more contemporary artists like Kaiju Artist Dan and Brian “Pushead” Schroeder, there are many BE@RBRICK figures with unique designs to collect.
Links
BE@RBRICK Fantasista Utamaro 100% & 400%
BE@RBRICK Series
Marilyn Monroe Andy Warhol - BE@RBRICK
Mikey Lisa Larson - BE@RBRICK
Pogola Dan - BE@RBRICK
Brian Pushead Schroeder - BE@RBRICK
BE@BRICK Label