Over 85,000 Cumulative Readers! Picture Book Posting Site 'Yomikikase Canvas' Holds 1st Anniversary Contest. Actor Rihito Itagaki Announces His Second New Picture Book, Slated for Summer Release!
Bandai's free picture book site 'Yomikikase Canvas' celebrated its 1st anniversary with over 85,000 readers. It announced a new contest with a 1 million yen grand prize and an upcoming picture book by actor Rihito Itagaki.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 11:31
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'Yomikikase Canvas' (*1), a site operated by BANDAI CO., LTD. (President and CEO: Kazuhiro Takenaka, Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo) where creators can post picture books and users can read them for free, has recently celebrated its 1st anniversary since the service launch. Over the past year, the cumulative number of readers has surpassed 85,000, and the popular picture book 'Oshiritori' (*2) has recorded over 40,000 cumulative views for its series.
To commemorate the 1st anniversary, we will hold the '4th Yomikikase Canvas Picture Book Application Contest'. Through this, we aim to further deepen our connection with creators and become a picture book posting site loved by readers.
In addition, it has been decided that actor Rihito Itagaki, who serves as an official creator, will produce his second picture book. The new visual for Yomikikase Canvas featuring Rihito Itagaki will also be released at the same time.
*1: Yomikikase Canvas (https://yomican.jp/)
*2: Yomikikase Canvas 'Oshiritori': (https://yomican.jp/work/fa9b2368-b18f-465f-9e84-430c171b455f)
Yomikikase Canvas New Visual
'4th Yomikikase Canvas Picture Book Application Contest' is open! The theme is 'Exciting Turn-the-Page Picture Books'!
Starting Thursday, April 23, 2026, we will hold the '4th Yomikikase Canvas Picture Book Application Contest'. The 'Picture Book Application Contest', one of the main initiatives of this site, has been held three times so far, and many high-quality works have been submitted each time.
The theme for this 4th contest is 'Exciting Turn-the-Page Picture Books'. As an experience unique to a digital picture book site that can be enjoyed easily, we are looking for works where the very act of turning (swiping) the page becomes fun. We look forward to submissions that heighten the reader's expectations with every page, such as works with high game elements like spot-the-difference or quizzes, or characters and ideas that bring new discoveries and surprises every time a page is turned.
Submitted works will be published on 'Yomikikase Canvas', and the grand prize winner will be awarded 1 million yen and a commemorative gift. The deadline for applications is Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The first book has printed 13,000 copies! The production of a new picture book by Rihito Itagaki has been decided!
The picture book 'Boku no Iro' (My Color), created by Rihito Itagaki, an official creator of 'Yomikikase Canvas', was published as a physical book on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
To date, a cumulative total of 13,000 copies have been printed, and the delicate illustrations drawn by Mr. Itagaki and the heartwarming story have fascinated many readers, from children to adults.
The second book is scheduled to be published on 'Yomikikase Canvas' around the summer of 2026. Following his previous work, please look forward to a new story drawn with Mr. Itagaki's unique, rich sensibility and expression.
Comment from Rihito Itagaki
Congratulations on the 1st anniversary of Yomikikase Canvas.
Although my contribution may be small, I am glad to have been able to walk together with you for the past year.
I received a lot of feedback on my previous work 'Boku no Iro', and I am very honored that the production of my second book has been decided.
I myself am excited to see what kind of picture book will be born next, so I hope everyone will also look forward to it.
- Rihito Itagaki Interview Video: https://youtu.be/VvNUVWCqE0w
- New Visual Making Video: https://youtu.be/s889cL5J4Uc
What is 'Yomikikase Canvas'?
It is Bandai's first picture book posting site where creators can post picture books and users can read the posted picture books for free. Popular works on the site can also be enjoyed as YouTube videos. By transmitting new original works and characters to the world together with creators, we aim to contribute to the growth of children and the smiles of parents through reading picture books.
'Yomikikase Canvas' Official Website: https://yomican.jp/
'Boku no Iro'
Author/Illustrator: Rihito Itagaki
Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
Release Date: November 6, 2025
Format: 207 x 207 mm / 32 pages
ISBN: 978-4-05-206253-7
Publisher: Gakken Co., Ltd.
Gakken Publishing Site: https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1020625300
Bandai/BANDAI SPIRITS Official Corporate Site: https://www.bandai.co.jp/
(C)Rihito Itagaki
(C)BANDAI
To commemorate the 1st anniversary, we will hold the '4th Yomikikase Canvas Picture Book Application Contest'. Through this, we aim to further deepen our connection with creators and become a picture book posting site loved by readers.
In addition, it has been decided that actor Rihito Itagaki, who serves as an official creator, will produce his second picture book. The new visual for Yomikikase Canvas featuring Rihito Itagaki will also be released at the same time.
*1: Yomikikase Canvas (https://yomican.jp/)
*2: Yomikikase Canvas 'Oshiritori': (https://yomican.jp/work/fa9b2368-b18f-465f-9e84-430c171b455f)
Yomikikase Canvas New Visual
'4th Yomikikase Canvas Picture Book Application Contest' is open! The theme is 'Exciting Turn-the-Page Picture Books'!
Starting Thursday, April 23, 2026, we will hold the '4th Yomikikase Canvas Picture Book Application Contest'. The 'Picture Book Application Contest', one of the main initiatives of this site, has been held three times so far, and many high-quality works have been submitted each time.
The theme for this 4th contest is 'Exciting Turn-the-Page Picture Books'. As an experience unique to a digital picture book site that can be enjoyed easily, we are looking for works where the very act of turning (swiping) the page becomes fun. We look forward to submissions that heighten the reader's expectations with every page, such as works with high game elements like spot-the-difference or quizzes, or characters and ideas that bring new discoveries and surprises every time a page is turned.
Submitted works will be published on 'Yomikikase Canvas', and the grand prize winner will be awarded 1 million yen and a commemorative gift. The deadline for applications is Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The first book has printed 13,000 copies! The production of a new picture book by Rihito Itagaki has been decided!
The picture book 'Boku no Iro' (My Color), created by Rihito Itagaki, an official creator of 'Yomikikase Canvas', was published as a physical book on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
To date, a cumulative total of 13,000 copies have been printed, and the delicate illustrations drawn by Mr. Itagaki and the heartwarming story have fascinated many readers, from children to adults.
The second book is scheduled to be published on 'Yomikikase Canvas' around the summer of 2026. Following his previous work, please look forward to a new story drawn with Mr. Itagaki's unique, rich sensibility and expression.
Comment from Rihito Itagaki
Congratulations on the 1st anniversary of Yomikikase Canvas.
Although my contribution may be small, I am glad to have been able to walk together with you for the past year.
I received a lot of feedback on my previous work 'Boku no Iro', and I am very honored that the production of my second book has been decided.
I myself am excited to see what kind of picture book will be born next, so I hope everyone will also look forward to it.
- Rihito Itagaki Interview Video: https://youtu.be/VvNUVWCqE0w
- New Visual Making Video: https://youtu.be/s889cL5J4Uc
What is 'Yomikikase Canvas'?
It is Bandai's first picture book posting site where creators can post picture books and users can read the posted picture books for free. Popular works on the site can also be enjoyed as YouTube videos. By transmitting new original works and characters to the world together with creators, we aim to contribute to the growth of children and the smiles of parents through reading picture books.
'Yomikikase Canvas' Official Website: https://yomican.jp/
'Boku no Iro'
Author/Illustrator: Rihito Itagaki
Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
Release Date: November 6, 2025
Format: 207 x 207 mm / 32 pages
ISBN: 978-4-05-206253-7
Publisher: Gakken Co., Ltd.
Gakken Publishing Site: https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1020625300
Bandai/BANDAI SPIRITS Official Corporate Site: https://www.bandai.co.jp/
(C)Rihito Itagaki
(C)BANDAI