NEWS

2026.01.06

The Website has been renewed!

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The official website of Ryo Hirano has been renewed!

A mascot pet named “Sūnya” now resides on the site, haunting it in the friendliest way possible.
Sūnya can remember visitors’ names, learn new words, and even mumble to themselves using the things you’ve taught them.
Please stop by and make friends with this digital spirit!

The name is Sūnya.

There are still many projects and “WORKS” I haven’t been able to post yet, so I plan to gradually enrich the content.
I also aim to update the DIARY as frequently as possible. I’d be very happy if you could drop by every once in a while to see what’s new.

Ryo Hirano
ryohirano.com/en

2025.08.26

【EXHIBITION】 YARNFOREST amigurumi series will be exhibited at NEW PURE + in Osaka.

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NEW PURE +
1-1-4 Awajimachi Chuou-ku Osaka Japan

2025.9.20（Sat） – 10.5（Sun）
＜Closed on Wednesdays＞
13:00 – 19:00

YARN FOREST is a small forest that no one can ever reach.
In it live mysterious creatures who share their joy, feel jealousy, and embrace their solitude.
Each original amigurumi is delivered with its own small story.

Little by little, new creatures are joining the forest.
Please come and meet these curious beings.

For more details, please visit here: https://newpureplus.com/16888

#Events #EXHIBITION

2025.08.25

A short piece! Screening and talk with Director Sakichi Watanabe at the Sendai Film Festival 2025!

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I will be participating in a screening and talk program at the Sendai Short Film Festival 2025, which is organized by a group of volunteers, mainly working adults and students from Sendai City!

September 20th, 13:45 – 15:45 | Program B: “Looking to the Future from Animation”
https://www.shortpiece.com/B.php

This program will feature three films by director Ryo Hirano and two films by director Sakichi Watanabe. What do we see in these mysterious worlds? For those aspiring to create animation, a talk session will be held after the screening where we will dive deeply into the world of animation, listening to and learning about the behind-the-scenes stories of the creation process from both directors.

Films to be screened:

Ryo Hirano

“The Kappa’s Arm”
“Holiday”
“Paradise”

Sakichi Watanabe

“The Princess of Raspberry Jam #1”
“Tulip-chan”

There will be a talk with Director Sakichi Watanabe to delve into the world of animation! I am really looking forward to it. I don’t often have screenings of my student works, so if you are in the area, please come and join us. I will be participating online!!

#Events #Screenings

2025.03.09

Exhibition “Palestine: A Warm Home in Matsudo”

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I am participating in the exhibition “Palestine: A Warm Home in Matsudo,”
an art exhibition by citizens who wish for everyone in Palestine to live happily in a warm home.

This exhibition is not only for appreciating artworks but also for learning about and experiencing Palestine.

“Palestine: A Warm Home in Matsudo”

📅 Dates: May 2 (Fri) – May 7 (Wed), 2025
📍 Venue: IN kyo-Ya (Chiba, Matsudo)
🕛 Opening Hours: 12:00–21:00

First day: Opens at 16:00
Final day: Closes at 17:00
🎟 Admission: Free (Donations are welcome)

💡 Additional Information:

Evening events are planned at the venue, so if you prefer a quieter time to view the exhibition, visiting during the day is recommended.
Please check the event schedule on the official website or social media before visiting.

📍 Location:
IN kyo-Ya (Chiba, Matsudo)
196 Minamihanashima-Nakamachi, Matsudo, Chiba
🚶‍♂️ 12-minute walk from JR Joban Line Kita-Matsudo Station

Looking forward to seeing you there!

🚀 Crowdfunding Launching on March 1st! 🚀

We are launching a crowdfunding campaign to support the exhibition’s operational costs.
🎯 Goal: 1,000,000 JPY

We would greatly appreciate your support or help in spreading the word!

🔗 Crowdfunding page:▶︎ CAMPFIRE

🎨 Participating Artists: 106 groups (as of February 2025)

Thank you for your support! 🙏

🎨 Artists 🎨

A3BC／Creamy Emi／Gaza. Signal of Life／haco／I’M FROM RAINBOW PLANET／Inès Jasmine Mesbahi／Kenfrog／Loving／MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR／MARIKO／Maya Kubota／mon／O／Patata Studio／Poppy Bloom／PWBF／rekko／rino.／saquochang／super-KIKI／TYM344／uhi [鄭優希] ／WAIFU／Y・N／yoda／Zac Mdd／相田萌 / m.Pupen／新井五差路／市川絢菜／イトウモモカ／井上晴日／うえのよう／内田涼／うつゆみこ／うらあやか／會本久美子／大内風／大田ステファニー歓人／奥誠之／長田結花／小山維子／架け箸／加藤豊／川名倫明／川又明日香／木村りべか／工藤夏海／小泉さよ／行動フェス／後藤花甫里／後藤瑞穂／コトバトフク／戸山恢／コンパニヨンくらしデザイン／齋藤レイ／さかきばらなおみ／坂下彰／坂田藍美／坂本夏海／さくら／さこももみ／佐野魁／死後くん／島つくえ／しみずゆうこ／しものあお／須藤祐太郎／砂守メディアアーカイヴズ／住本尚子／そぼろ／玉井夕海／辻美保子／津村侑希／寺本愛／中村雅奈／にしかわしょう子／虹のほとりの灯台守／灰原千晶／はしもとゆか／はるまき／パレスチナとつながる写真展PROJECTマクルーバ／百美＋／ひらのりょう／藤井光／藤岡拓太郎／藤田泰実／細井耕平／丸岡京子／まるゐ／みさこみさこ／宮越里子／みょうじなまえ／ミョン｜樺｜ファ／村上慧／百瀬文／門眞妙／ヤマグチナナコ／吉田尚令／林美蘭 (miranartworks) ／若林菜穂／渡辺篤／わたなべりお

🌍 Artists from Palestine 🌍

A constellation of Gaza (Baraa Ubaida、Haya Shihab、Salam Shihab) ／Birzeit University／Fekra (Mohammed、Yazan)／Gaza. Signal of Life (Amer Nasser)

📢 More Information & Updates

🌐 Website: sites.google.com/view/palestineourwarmhouse/home
📷 Instagram: @our_warmhome
🐦 X (Twitter): @our_warmhome

#EXHIBITION

2024.12.04

【Culture and Biology】 Vol. 02: “Character” and “Decay”

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Ryo Hirano has contributed to Zukanfu~Zasshi “Culture and Biology” Vol. 02, a media platform that explores and cultivates the intersection of “culture,” the human activities of our modern age, and “biology,” the pursuit of understanding the essence of life.

The theme of “Culture and Biology” Vol. 02 is “Character” and “Decay.”

Hirano participated in a project to create new “characters” based on a lecture by researcher Kenji Suetsugu.

Dr. Suetsugu studies mycoheterotrophic plants—plants that have abandoned photosynthesis!

It was an exciting experience to design characters while listening to his fascinating insights!

The other features in this issue are also incredibly enjoyable, so be sure to give them a read!

You can check out the article here:

“Culture and Biology” Vol. 02 is “Character” and “Decay.”

「キャラ」と「腐敗」

Zukanfu~Zasshi “Culture and Biology” Main Page

#illustration #Publications

2024.09.30

Solo Exhibition Announcement: Ryo Hirano Amigurumi Exhibition 🌲YARN FOREST🌲

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Ryo Hirano Amigurumi Exhibition
🌲YARN FOREST🌲

October 19th (Sat) – October 20th (Sun)
14:00-19:00
Location: Hachimise
2 minutes from the South Exit of Sakurajosui Station

After moving from Tokyo to Nagano, I started attending knitting classes during the long, cold winter.

I found it exciting to bring strange creatures to life in the real world through crocheting.
I became so absorbed in knitting during breaks, while traveling, and while waiting for someone.

Before I knew it, many creatures had been born, so I decided to showcase them under the title “YARN FOREST.”

＊YARN FOREST＊
YARN FOREST is a small forest that no one can ever reach.

It is home to mysterious creatures who live together, sharing joy, feeling jealousy, and embracing solitude.

Each one is part of an original amigurumi series, presented with its own small story.

There will also be original amigurumi and sketches of the creatures available for purchase.

For more details, visit: https://83shop.blogspot.com/2024/09/1019-10-20-yarn-forest.html

#Events

2024.09.30

ENJOY MUSIC CLUB’s new song “Good Bad Story.” Cover and MV Animation

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ENJOY MUSIC CLUB Releases First New Song in Five Years: “Good Bad Story”!!

I created the music video and cover illustration.

The Music Video features a simple line-drawn animation that depicts the daily life of middle-aged man and his best friend Cat .
The scene composition was handled by Soshi Matsumoto.

The Music Video is now available on YouTube.

“Good Bad Story” is streaming on various platforms.◾️https://linkco.re/aGztx0uv

ENJOY MUSIC & VIDEO

#Animation

2024.09.19

[Exhibition] FOLK old book store’s 14th Anniversary, “Books and Music.

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I’ll be participating in the 14th Anniversary Exhibition “Books and Music” at the wonderful FOLK old book store in Kitahama, Osaka.
It’s a special group exhibition featuring artists FOLK loves.

Each artist will contribute and sell one artwork incorporating either “books,” “music,” or both!

“Books and Music” FOLK old book store 14th Anniversary Exhibition
2024.09.21 – 10.06

Location:
FOLK old book store, Osaka

Hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Closed Mondays

Artists (in no particular order):
Ikegami Yoriyuki
Ohashi Hiroyuki
ONO-CHAN
Komatsu Shinya
Shigo-kun
Gu Goro
Ryo Hirano
fancomi
Mame Ikeda
Minahamu
Saigo no Shudan
Hiromi Nagashima

Flyer design by Ryo Hirano. Merchandise based on the flyer design will also be available—so exciting!

For more details, please check out FOLK old book store Instagram

FOLK old book store
1F/BF, 1-2-1 Hiranocho, Chuo Ward, Osaka

#EXHIBITION

2024.09.19

I contributed to the book “4162024830PM,” a collection of diaries from 95 people.

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83original / Diaries of 95 People

“4162024830PM”

A diary book where 95 people chronicle the events of the same day, at the same time. On Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, starting at 8:30 PM, each of the 95 individuals recorded scenes from their everyday lives, spanning from about 15 minutes to an hour. These are unremarkable yet intimate moments written by different hands.

Ryo Hirano is one of the 95 contributors, having written a diary entry and created an illustration for the book.

Contributors:

Asao Harumin / Atowan Snow / Araya Kawai / Arisaka Ayumu / Iizawa Mio / Inunko / Iwata Maiko / Utsu Yumiko / Uno Yuya / Obayashi Eriko / Kaiki Risa / Kasai Megumi / Kanehira / Garabro / Kawai Toshio / Kikuchi Kazuhiro / Kishimoto Sachiko / Kitagawa Yoko / Kubo Mitsurou / Kosakai Maruko / Kojima Kaori / Kodan Miho / Kondo Minami / Sato Suzu / Sano Michael / Shigo-kun / Suge Syunichi / Suzuki Yoyo / Seko Nao / Sotsugyosei Daihyo / Takase Katsuko / Takahashi Kaori / Tagawa Aki / Tada Reiko / Tsujimoto Mariko / Tsuda Shuhei / Tsuchiya Asobi / Tsumewo Nuruhito / Tsume Kirio / Tetsumado Hana Shobou Tamazo / Terai Naomi / Terashima Risato / Terada Katsuya / Tengu Art / Nishimura Eri / Nosoko / Highway Oasis / Hakamada Akiko / Hata / Hayashi Miki / Harawata Chyunko / Parikko / Himeno Tama / Hirano Ryo / Hirooka Joki / Fukase Hiroko / Fukuyama Miki / Fujiwara Koichi / Funsha / Betsuyaku Rei / Helmippe / Hoshi Budou / Ponmameya / Maeda Takahiro / Maeda Baku / Masuda Mari / Matsumoto Yasutaka / Maniaparel / Mankitsu / Miyagi Mario / Miyamura Yasuo / Mushanokouji Akiko / Murai Riko / Murayama Ayano / Mori Shota / Yamauchi Takashi / Yamaguchi Manabi / Yamanaka Masahiro / Yukinoura Seiko / Yoshida Kazunatsu / Yoshida Tomofumi /Yoshimaru Mutsumi/ Yoshimaru Shin / Yoneyama Marie / Rika-chan / Watanabe Go / akiramuracco / DJ Usugi / esou ceramics / monyomonyo / moufu. / olo / pha / sanboy / Towers

“4162024830PM”

Size: 148 × 160 mm
114 pages
Language:Japanese
Cover Design: Suzuki Yoyo (Yoyolandes)
Interior Design: Miyamura Yasuo
Editor: Tsuchiya Asobu
Publisher: Hachimise

Pre-order and purchase available at the 83 Shop.

#Publications

2024.06.03

Animation for NHK Minna no Uta’s “Nyan-ko no Tetsugaku” (Philosophy of the Cat).

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NHK Minna no Uta‘s song for June-July

The animation for “Nyan-ko no Tetsugaku” (Philosophy of the Cat) was created by Ryo Hirano.

The song features Kuroneko Doumei (Kenji Ueda and Kyoko Koizumi)!

You can find more details and a one-minute preview on the official website.

The full version is available on TV!

The first broadcast is on Monday, June 3rd

NHK Sougou: 10:55 AM
NHK E-TV: 12:45 PM

The song will be broadcast over two weeks, so please enjoy the full version on air.

You can check the broadcast schedule on the Minna no Uta weekly schedule.

Additionally, the cover and an interview are featured in the NHK text “Minna no Uta June-July 2024 Issue.”

Sheet music is also available, so enjoy that as well!

#Uncategorized