Ryo Fukusawa’s art is a direct extension of his life. This artist, who creates under his real name, found his creative spark as a child by making his own manga. That passion was ignited by a lifelong love for the playful chaos of Tom and Jerry, a show that shaped his sense of humor and expression. Since 2022, while continuing his work as a designer, he has also begun to establish himself as an illustrator and artist.
Ryo’s style is a bold collision of pop culture and personal feeling, a universe he defines as “pop and chaos.” A core concept in his work is: “cute, but a little bit sad.” He captures this bittersweet tension by illustrating the atmosphere of Japanese izakaya, places full of warmth and melancholy. He purposely avoids highlighting traditional motifs, instead letting a mix of influences and the raw energy of cartoons shape his work. His process is intuitive; he lets the idea guide the medium, a practice that makes every project feel like a new discovery.
Each opportunity to collaborate is a milestone, and he feels deep gratitude for every chance he gets to bring a client’s vision to life. This drive for new projects is what keeps him creating, and his ultimate dream is to create his own sofubi (soft vinyl figure), a tactile, three-dimensional representation of his imaginative world. He is especially drawn to collaborating with brands and individuals who carry a unique vision and passion for creativity, and he seeks to share his philosophy through such partnerships.
“Where playful chaos is a work of art.“