【Project Launch】VICTOR KAITO NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE – Iconic 'Astro Boy' × Street Art Pop-Up Store Opens in Harajuku from August 1

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】WFF Inc. will host the limited-time store / CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED 'VICTOR KAITO NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE' at 'Shun Art Gallery Tokyo' from August 1 (Sat) to August 23 (Sun). Open to the general public from August 2 (Sun)

◆【Featured Artist】Victor Kaito, a graphic artist active in Japan and France who began his art career in Paris, will participate

WFF Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) is launching a new project that fuses Osamu Tezuka's iconic manga 'Astro Boy' with contemporary street art. As the first initiative of this project, which aims to express universal themes such as 'coexistence between science and humanity' and 'the sanctity of life' through modern art and pass them on to the future, we will host the limited-time store / CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED 'VICTOR KAITO NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE' at 'Shun Art Gallery Tokyo' from August 1 (Saturday) to August 23 (Sunday).

Project Overview: 'NEXT TEZUKA WORLD FOR THE FUTURE'

This project was inspired by the worldview of Osamu Tezuka's works, including 'Astro Boy,' a masterpiece that symbolizes Japanese manga and anime culture and continues to be beloved worldwide. The messages conveyed in the work—'the light and shadow of science and technology,' 'understanding of different beings,' and 'the sanctity of life'—continue to shine powerfully in modern society. The goal of this project is to materialize these universal ideas represented by Astro Boy through the power of contemporary street art and connect them to the world and the future across generations and borders.

【Art as a Gift to the Future】

The vision of shaping the future sparks empathy, becomes a heartbeat, and creates new culture. And culture has the power to make the world a little kinder. Centered on this philosophy, this project brings together the power of ART, FASHION, and TECHNOLOGY to create a new future. We will express through contemporary art the 'sanctity of life' symbolized by Astro Boy and pass it on to the world beyond generations and borders.

Outstanding culture nurtures human sensitivity, and rich nature teaches us the importance of life. Sensitivity becomes imagination, the strength to challenge, and eventually the power to create the future. The ultimate goal of this project is not to consume the culture it creates as mere entertainment, but to deliver it as a 'gift to the future' to children.

【Actions Toward the Future Envisioned by the Project】

A portion of the revenue generated from this project will be reinvested not only into business growth but also into the following activities to enrich future society.

Cultural Heritage and Educational Support

We will collaborate with government agencies, boards of education, libraries, and community centers to create opportunities for the next generation of children to directly engage with Japan's cultural assets (manga, anime, art, design, traditional culture) that the world admires, thereby honing their sensitivity.

Preservation of Natural Environment and 'Life'

To preserve the natural environment—the foundation that nurtures culture—for the future, we will continuously engage in activities that honor 'life,' such as nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and support for shelter dogs and cats, aiming to realize a society where humans and nature can coexist.

'Nurture culture, preserve culture, connect culture to the future.'

'Protect nature, honor life, and pass on its richness to the future.'

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

Project Launch: Implementation of CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED

In conjunction with the project launch, we will implement the first phase of the limited-time store / CULTURE POP-UP STORE - ART & LIMITED 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 1 (Sat) – August 23 (Sun)

※ Schedule

- August 1 (Sat): Preview / Opening Reception

- August 2 (Sun) – August 23 (Sun): Open to the public

Organizer: WFF Inc.

Supervision: Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd.

Planning Cooperation: GLOBE Inc.

©TEZUKA PRODUCTIONS

Astro Boy

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

Dr. Tenma creates a robot as a substitute for his deceased son Tobio, but upon realizing the robot will never grow, he abandons it. After Dr. Tenma's disappearance, Astro, a kind-hearted robot raised by Dr. Ochanomizu, uses his 100,000 horsepower power to bravely confront evil.

A science fiction superhero manga featuring the 100,000 horsepower robot boy Astro.

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

※ The character '塚' in 'Tezuka' is correctly the old-style kanji

Osamu Tezuka

Born on November 3, 1928, in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and spent about 20 years from age 5 in Takarazuka. He changed the concept of manga in Japan up to that point, established story manga with new expressive methods, and elevated it to a charming art form. He influenced all genres, including literature and film, and left a tremendous legacy in the world of animation.

All his works are permeated with the eternal theme of 'the preciousness of life.' This great cultural creator ran his life with a pioneering spirit, endless passion, and a clear vision for the future. His numerous works became the spiritual and technical foundation of the Japanese manga and anime industry and had an immeasurable impact on future creators. As the 'origin' of Japanese pop culture that Japan proudly presents to the world, his achievements are still highly evaluated worldwide.

Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd.

By promoting Osamu Tezuka's works, thoughts, and achievements, we contribute to the healthy development of children worldwide and the creation of their environment, and strive to achieve world peace through mutual understanding among people from local communities to overseas.

Business: Managing copyrights of works created by Osamu Tezuka, such as 'Astro Boy,' 'Kimba the White Lion,' 'Princess Knight,' and 'Black Jack.'

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

Osamu Tezuka Sa