ARTISTS・Kazumitsu Akamatsu (赤松和光)

Kazumitsu Akamatsu (赤松和光)

Visual Artist, Designer, Writer, and Toy Artist

Kazumitsu Akamatsu was born in 1962 in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. While studying at university, he apprenticed under Toru Narita (1929–2002), the legendary designer known for his work on Ultraman and Ultra Seven. During this period, Akamatsu participated in special effects art production for films such as Mahjong Horoki and Sukeban Deka, gaining hands-on experience in art, drawing, sculpture, and tokusatsu techniques. In 1984, he joined Takara Co., Ltd. (now Takara Tomy), where he was involved in the planning, development, production, and commercialization of numerous iconic franchises. His work includes Licca-chan, Jenny, Akko-chan, Chibi Maruko-chan, Magical Circle Guru Guru, the Brave Series (Might Gaine, J-Decker, Dagwon, GaoGaiGar), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Denkou Choujin Gridman. He also contributed to Takara’s video division, participating in the planning and production of OVA titles and video software releases. In 1996, Akamatsu founded Marmit Co., Ltd. (now Marmit Inc.). Through the company, he has planned, produced, and distributed over 2,000 character-based products spanning both Japanese and international IPs, including Star Wars, Alien, Godzilla, Ultraman, Kamen Rider, Pokémon, Mazinger Z, Tetsujin 28-go, Evangelion, Space Battleship Yamato, Galaxy Express 999, Votoms, Giant Robo, Devilman, Urusei Yatsura, Fist of the North Star, and Magma Taishi. In recent years, growing international demand for his original works has led to a series of solo exhibitions worldwide. Beginning with his first solo exhibition, Destroy All Monsters, held in New York in 2019, Akamatsu has since presented solo shows in Ginza, Singapore, Hong Kong, Hollywood, and other major cities around the globe. His sofubi works have cultivated a dedicated global following and are highly regarded by filmmakers, directors, and Hollywood industry professionals, earning him a reputation as one of the most influential figures in contemporary kaiju and sofubi culture.

▾ RELATED EXHIBITIONS

  • Group Exhibition

    2026.1.30 - 2.15

    Discover the Unknown Kawaii Inside Sofubi

  • Solo Exhibition

    2025.8.9 - 8.31

    Over 150 sofubi works showcased at once — centered on Kazumitsu Akamatsu, a pioneer of sofubi culture. Featuring a sales event, original sofubi-making workshops, and a special kaiju pro-wrestling collaboration.

  • Group Exhibition

    2024.6.18 - 6.30

    Rebooting the Inner Cosmos. SOMSOC GALLERY 2.0: Where Art, Culture, and Imagination Converge

▾ RELATED PROJECTS

  • Original

    Kaiju Lab — a multidisciplinary art project rooted in Japanese kaiju culture, expanding worldwide.

  • Original

    SOMSOC GALLERY's sofubi mascot character

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