Akira Otsuka・大塚朗

Our client, Soon is seeking agents for territories worldwide for the renowned Japanese illustrator, Akira Otsuka.

Born in Nagaoka, Niigata, Otsuka graduated from the Tokyo Designer Gakuin College after which he joined Joymark Design, an apparel manufacturer, where he created the immensely popular character, Captain Santa.

Otsuka became a freelance illustrator and character designer in 2005. He heads the Sundays Graphics studio where he has honed his signature "American character touch" style.

Some of Otsuka's other key works include:
  • In 2005, a series of teeshirts featuring Sundays Graphics's original brand Sunday Sundy were launched at the Sony Plaza (currently Plazastyle) retail chain.
  • In 2007, the studio’s A-kun, Lu-chan, and Bi-kun characters were used as mascots for the Japanese soccer team, Albirex Niigata.
  • In 2008, Otsuka created the characters Phoeny and Don-Bee for his earthquake-stricken hometown of Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, famous for its fireworks festival.  Phoeny the Phoenix symbolized the city’s recovery efforts from disaster.
  • In 2017, Otsuka produced Saku-saku Katsu-mon, the official mascot commemorating the 50th anniversary of the famous Japanese tonkatsu chain, Tonkatsu Shinjuku Saboten
Many of Otsuka's characters have appeared in illustrated books and his creativity has spanned illustration, character, and graphic design for apparel, kids’ brands, headwear, household goods and other products. Otsuka's original characters have also been used for corporate promotions.
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Akira Otsuka information - English  日本語 Japanese
© Sundays Graphics / Akira Otsuka. Licensed by Soon Inc.
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