#Japan #Shibuya #Shibuya Pixel Art #Emoticons 2 #Shinji Murakami

Dive into the World of Pixel Art at SHIBUYA PIXEL ART 2025

The highly anticipated "SHIBUYA PIXEL ART 2025 - Everyday Life with Pixel Art" festival kicked off on September 21 at Shibuya Stream Hall. Established as the world’s largest pixel art festival, it draws from its roots in the vibrant atmosphere of Shibuya, famously known as BIT VALLEY, since the 1990s IT boom. This year marks its ninth iteration, drawing together over 160 pixel artists and live performers from around the globe!

A Gathering of Creativity

The festival this year has consolidated multiple programs that previously spanned areas around Shibuya and Harajuku into one central location—the Shibuya Stream Hall, directly connected to Shibuya Station. Artists from nations including the U.S., Russia, China, South Korea, and Taiwan will showcase their pixel art, engage in talk shows, participate in gaming competitions, and perform live music. The grand prize winners of the world's largest pixel art contest will also be announced here!

The festival is particularly renowned for the pixel art contest, which has become a gateway for emerging talents since its inception in 2017. Anyone can submit their work via social media, which encourages a rich environment for creative expression. This year's theme, featuring ideas like “everyday life,” “Shibuya,” “rainbows,” “destiny,” and “water,” attracted over 300 diverse submissions from around the world.

Special Highlights

One of the event's high points will be the awards ceremony for the Pixel Art Contest 2025, set to take place at 14:30 on September 21 at the event hall (6F). Eight selected judges from around the world will present their decisions, and approximately 50 selected works will also be displayed on-site.

Adding to the excitement, New York-based pixel artist Shinji Murakami will be debuting a massive installation titled "Emoticons 2" at the venue. Utilizing the nostalgic Atari 2600 video game from 1977 as inspiration, Murakami has created a piece that features five unique emoticons layered against a colorful rainbow backdrop.

In addition, the festival will see a special lecture from popular Russian pixel artist waneella, who boasts over 250,000 followers on social media. This will be part of the second season of the “Pixel Art School,” titled “Between Independence and Commerce.” Attendees will need to purchase an Early Premium Ticket to join this lecture.

8bit Cafe and Diverse Activities

Fans of retro gaming will be excited to learn that the renowned 8bit Cafe is making its debut in Shibuya! For the first time in 20 years, this cafe, known for its 1980s and 90s gaming culture, will feature a special lounge area on the 5th floor of Shibuya Stream Hall. Visitors can enjoy original drinks inspired by classic games created by 8bit Cafe's manager, Nao. Furthermore, an 8bit gaming contest will take place, with a prize of a 10,000 yen gift certificate for the winner!

A series of engaging talks will also shed light on the current state of pixel art and 8bit culture. Well-known figures like hally, a game music historian, will discuss the fundamentals of chip tunes, while manga artist and game creator Kazuhiko will reminisce about the legacy of pixel art. These conversations will illuminate how deeply intertwined pixel art has become in our lives.

Merch and Final Performances

An extensive sales area on the 4th and 6th floors will feature 81 creators and offer their stunning pixel art works for sale, including games, apps, illustrations, art books, and accessories. An exciting community event, the Dot Trading Card Exhibition 3, returns this year, selling around 100 varieties of pixel art cards created on a shared canvas, presenting a unique opportunity for collectors.

As the festival draws to a close, attendees can look forward to a special music live featuring iconic artists like YMCK, Hige Driver, and Omodaka performing amidst Murakami's gigantic installation. Their music, a blend of chip tunes and 8bit culture, promises to elevate the festival's atmosphere to new heights.

A Prelude to the Main Event

The festivities will begin on September 20 with a precursor event titled "音電MUSIC LIVE 4.0" at CIRCUS TOKYO, featuring an impressive lineup of artists from the chip tune scene. Tickets for both the main event and the pre-festival concert are available online, ensuring that everyone can be part of this vibrant celebration of pixel art and music.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the pixel art culture and connect with creators from all walks of life!

For more details, visit the official SHIBUYA PIXEL ART homepage.