As the head apprentice of contemporary Japanese art master Takashi Murakami, Masakatsu Iwamoto - known professionally as Mr. - expresses the spirit of Japan’s anime culture through his works, especially the imaginations of lolicons and otakus. With bright colors and stylized manga characters, he physically recreates his own desires and fantasies onto his canvas, weaving layers of different elements into a strong narrative playground of innocence.

“Nostalgic Childhood Flying in the Night Sky” uses a round canvas, which echoes the full moon in the image. A green-haired girl dressed in red flies across a blue moonlit night sky full of stars. Her big, watery eyes and childish face shine with pure wonder, evidently surprised by this sudden flight. Presented in a round and cute cartoonish style, her puppy and bunny companions float up high with similar looks of amazement as the bunny nimbly drifts all the way to the moon. As a self-described otaku, Mr. believes that innocent young girls at the prime of their youth, with their delicate cuteness, have an irresistible allure, yet are unattainable, representing his unfulfilled desires and idealizations. “Nostalgic Childhood Flying in the Night Sky” features a green-haired girl in a moment full of wonder, hope and optimism. Accompanied by an assortment of items with special meanings as well as her furry companions, she soars across the fascinating night skies, away from the bustling city below. The entire artwork illustrates a twinkling, fantastical moment in time that sparkles with magic. Overflowing with endless passion and positivity, it thoroughly conveys the essence of youth, cuteness, and the innocence of Japanese “moe.” Amidst the flaws and hardships of reality, a dreamland full of endless fantasies and life is born.