Since 2007, pixiv has built a creation platform, with over 80 million users and more than 3 billion page views monthly — billed as the world’s largest. The Japan-based company’s mission is to build an online community that supports creators with creator platforms, services and products.
Now pixiv, Media Do International, Inc. and Clover Press are partnering to bring this community into print with two art books, Artists in Taiwan and Artists in Korea, just launched on Kickstarter. These deluxe books showcase over 150 talented creators — just a small fraction of the artists actively engaged on pixiv.
The Kickstarter page for these titles is now live and has already surpassed its $10,000 starter goal.
Artists in Taiwan features 83 artists in Taiwan, with a cover by VOFAN, an illustrator regarded for masterful use of intense light and shadow. Artists in Korea features 78 artists in Korea, with a cover by Tiv, an illustrator known for capturing poetic expression and emotional moments. Between both volumes, the books collect the work of Say HANa, I READING, LOIZA, B.c.N.y., modare, Anmi, zipcy, Gearous, DSmile, Canking, and many more.
“The ‘Artists in’ series was produced to bring work by artists from different regions to a larger global audience,” said pixiv SVP of Creator’s Platform Department Takahiko Kato. “With the massive impact and influence of anime art, there has been a huge wave of emerging artists who showcase their work on pixiv, and we want to share it with fans around the world. These incredible artbooks give fans a way to cherish a collection of amazing illustrations that can be proudly displayed on their bookshelf.”
The art books are the latest initiative in pixiv’s mission to create opportunities for creators around the world to interact and work beyond barriers such as distance and language. These include Drawfest, an online drawing festival presented by pixiv and Wacom, launched in 2021 and welcoming global artists including Mika Pikazo, Heikala, Loish, Zeronis and Guweiz through livestreaming workshops and lectures. More than 10,000 creators attended Drawfest simultaneously in Japanese and English to learn and improve their skills in a multi-artist live event.
With the mission of “creating a fun environment for anyone who enjoys creative activities,” pixiv operates creation-posting platform pixiv.net, fan community service FANBOX, C2C marketplace BOOTH, 3D character maker VRoid and other creator communities and services.
The project is being managed by Media Do International, a San Diego-based publishing and content solutions provider, that focuses on licensing, distribution, content development and technology. MD-i is owned by Tokyo-based Media Do Co., Ltd., a leader in the global publishing business and the top distributor of ebooks in Japan.
The books will be published by Clover Press, a San Diego-based boutique publisher, whose eclectic releases include books by Matt Bors, Kevin Eastman, Stewart Kenneth Moore, Dean Mullaney, Steve Niles, Gabriel Rodriguez, John K. Snyder III, Timothy Truman, Aron Wiesenfeld and Craig Yoe.
“The art of manga and manhwa creation continues to become mainstream on a worldwide basis,” said Clover Press Publisher Hank Kanalz. “Both these books feature absolutely gorgeous artwork. We hope they introduce readers to more international artists and a new online community dedicated to art and illustration.”
For updates, follow pixiv on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and Clover Press on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
