[New Project Launched] VICTOR KAITO NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE - "Astro Boy" Masterpiece x Street Art Store to be Held in Harajuku from August 1st

Limited-Time Store / CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED Main Visual

Key Points of This Announcement

◆ [Project Launch] NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE

◆ [Limited-Time Store / CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED Held] From August 1st (Sat) to August 23rd (Sun), WFF Inc. will hold the limited-time store / CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED "VICTOR KAITO NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE" at "Shun Art Gallery Tokyo." Public opening from August 2nd (Sun).

◆ [Featured Artist] Graphic artist Victor Kaito, who began his art activities in Paris and is active in Japan and France, will participate.

WFF Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) will launch a new project that fuses Osamu Tezuka's masterpiece "Astro Boy" with contemporary street art. As the first installment of this project, which aims to give form to universal themes such as "coexistence of science and humanity" and "dignity of life" that resonate throughout "Astro Boy" and connect them to the future through contemporary art, a limited-time store / CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED "VICTOR KAITO NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE" will be held at "Shun Art Gallery Tokyo" from Saturday, August 1st to Sunday, August 23rd.

Project Overview: "NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE"

This project was born from resonance with the world of Osamu Tezuka's works, including the masterpiece "Astro Boy," which is a symbol of Japanese manga and anime culture and loved worldwide. The messages of "the light and shadow of science and technology," "understanding of different beings," and "the dignity of life" that the work continuously depicted continue to shine brightly in contemporary society. The purpose of this project is to embody these universal sentiments represented by Astro Boy through the power of contemporary street art, connecting them across generations and borders to the world and the future.

[Art as a Gift for the Future]

The desire to depict the future resonates, becoming a heartbeat that creates new culture. And culture becomes a force that makes the world a little kinder. This project is centered around this philosophy, an initiative that brings together the power of ART, FASHION, and TECHNOLOGY to create a new future. It embodies the "dignity of life" represented by "Astro Boy" through contemporary art, connecting it across generations and borders to the world.

Excellent culture cultivates human sensibility, and rich nature teaches the importance of life. Sensibility becomes imagination, becomes the power to challenge, and eventually transforms into the power to create the future. The greatest objective of this project is not to consume the culture created as mere entertainment, but to deliver it to children as a "gift for the future."

[Actions for the Future Depicted by the Project]

A portion of the profits generated by this project will be returned not only for the growth of the business but also to the following activities that enrich future society.

Cultural Inheritance and Educational Support

In collaboration with government agencies, boards of education, libraries, community centers, etc., we will create opportunities for the next generation of children to directly experience and refine their sensibilities with Japan's proud cultural assets (manga, anime, art, design, traditional culture).

Conservation of Natural Environment and "Life"

To preserve the natural environment, the foundation for nurturing culture, for the future, we will continuously engage in activities that respect "life," such as nature conservation activities, biodiversity conservation, and support for rescue dogs and cats, aiming to realize a society where humans and nature can coexist.

"Nurturing culture, preserving culture, and connecting culture to the future."

"Protecting nature, respecting life, and passing on its richness to the future."

Under this mission, this project will continue to support the potential of children who will bear the future.

Project Launch: CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED to be Held

In conjunction with the launch of the project, the first limited-time store / CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED will be held as follows.

VICTOR KAITO NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE

art by VICTOR KAITO/RAF

©TEZUKA PRODUCTIONS - Victor Kaito: Graphic Artist / RAF: 3D Artist - Koji Mizuno: Curator, Artistic Director

Venue: Shun Art Gallery Tokyo

Period: August 1st (Sat) - August 23rd (Sun)

※Schedule

- August 1st (Sat): Preview / Opening Reception

- August 2nd (Sun) - August 23rd (Sun): Public Opening

Organizer: WFF Inc.

Supervision: Tezuka Productions Inc.

Planning Cooperation: GLOBE Inc.

©TEZUKA PRODUCTIONS

Astro Boy

Astro Boy is a famous manga series created by Japanese manga artist Osamu Tezuka.

Dr. Tenma, after losing his son Tobio, creates a robot as a replacement. Realizing it will not grow, he later disappears. After Dr. Tenma's disappearance, the kind-hearted robot, Astro, is raised by Dr. Ochanomizu. With his 100,000 horsepower power, Astro bravely confronts evil.

A sci-fi hero manga featuring the adventures of Astro, a robot boy with 100,000 horsepower.

URL | https://tezukaosamu.net/jp/manga/291.html

※The character "塚" in Osamu Tezuka's name is correctly written in its old form.

Osamu Tezuka

Born November 3, 1928, in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, he spent approximately 20 years in Takarazuka from the age of five. He changed the concept of Japanese manga up to that point, established story manga with new methods of expression, and elevated it to a captivating art form. He has influenced various genres such as literature and film, and has made significant contributions to the world of anime.

All of his works are permeated with the eternal theme of "the preciousness of life." As a creator of great culture, he lived his life with a great pioneering spirit, insatiable passion, and a clear vision for the future. His numerous works became the spiritual and technical foundation of Japan's manga and anime industry, exerting immeasurable influence on subsequent creators. His achievements as the "origin" of Japan's proud pop culture are still highly acclaimed worldwide.

Tezuka Productions Inc.

By promoting the works, philosophy, and achievements of Osamu Tezuka, we contribute to the healthy development of children worldwide and the creation of their environment, and strive for world peace through mutual understanding with people both locally and internationally.

Business Activities: Manages the copyrights of works created by Osamu Tezuka, such as "Astro Boy," "Jungle Emperor," "Princess Knight," and "Black Jack."

Corporate Site https://tezuka.co.jp/

Osamu Tezuka Site https://tezukaosamu.net/

©️GLOBE.VICTOR KAITO

Victor Kaito / Graphic Artist

Born in Paris, with a French father and a Japanese mother, he grew up in the Montparnasse district, where art and culture thrived. From childhood, he was exposed to fashion and art, working primarily in France and Japan. He has received high acclaim for his sneaker art and stage costume designs for famous musicians, and has been selected for various projects such as Tetsuya Komuro's Sound ART Project FLUcTUS. The H-IIA rocket No. 47, painted with Astro Boy by Kaito, successfully made Japan's first lunar landing as part of the JAXA lunar exploration project. In 2024, he opened brand shops "arc+" in Omotesando and Paris. In 2026, he will be appointed the official designer for "NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE," expanding his international activities.

The project also involves RAF, a 3D designer based in Paris. His work, currently at the forefront as a 3D designer for "LACOSTE," is characterized by a deep pursuit of the fusion of design and visual storytelling. In this project, he is responsible for the creation of 3D Astro Boy, advocating for increased environmental awareness and presenting a message for the future through his work.

Koji Mizuno / Curator, Artistic Director

A curator and art director who leads a wide range of projects, from global artists to Japanese pop culture. He has handled numerous global entertainment and IP projects. In recent years, he launched the new brand "The OLD SCHOOL 78," which fuses the craftsmanship of Kojima, the birthplace of Japanese denim, with TOKYO street culture, anime, manga, and music culture, among other initiatives. Transcending existing frameworks, he connects diverse and profound Japanese culture and world cultures, from Kabuki to the present day, continuously disseminating new values and stories that will endure into the next era, both domestically and internationally.

[WFF : World Facets Future]

The initial "W" represents the overlap of the aspiration/VISION to depict the future and the heartbeat/VIBRATION of empathy. Starting from these two "V"s, it becomes a collective (Facets) where the diverse personalities of the world connect while maintaining their brilliance, creating a future (Future) that makes the world kinder. WFF is a creative collective that connects people and creates new value and a better future together, leveraging the power of technology.

[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]

Future Gift Project Office (within WFF)

Contact: contact@future-gift.art