A leading figure in the Superflat movement and a protégé of Takashi Murakami, Mr. (°1969, Cupa, Japan) merges neo-pop aesthetics with otaku culture, working across painting, sculpture, installation, and video. As a self-described otaku artist, his practice is populated by young, wide-eyed characters designed to evoke moe—a Japanese concept of deep affection for fictional figures. Beneath their bright, kawaii-infused exterior hides a more complex narrative, where themes of solitude, social anxiety, and loss subtly emerge. The chaotic environments that often frame his work serve as a poignant reflection on Japan’s collective memory, alluding to the lingering impact of World War II and the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.

This monographic publication, Mr. by Mr., offers an intimate glimpse into his world—96 pages filled with vibrant colors, personal memoirs, and texts by Yuichiro Ichige and Chika Tamagawa, presented in both English and Japanese. It explores the duality of Mr.’s practice: the allure of fantasy and the weight of reality.