Koichi KIMURA
1976－, Kyoto Prefecture
Kimura, a lifelong fan of manga and anime, developed an interest in yokai (Japanese folklore monsters) during elementary school, influenced by Shigeru Mizuki. He began drawing original yokai designs at a young age. Initially focused on yokai illustrations, he started creating palm-sized, three-dimensional works using clay about ten years ago. His creations are characterized by their humorous forms, combining multiple human body parts into unique shapes. Each piece takes about five minutes to complete. The designs of his yokai evolve slightly over time, and he produces several hundred pieces annually.