POPODOODLE
I am a self-taught Japanese-American illustrator and aspiring manga artist shaped by growing up between Japanese and American cultures. Living in that in-between space influenced how I view impermanence, identity, and transformation. My work often centers on cycles of life and rebirth, approached through symbolism and unconventional composition rather than traditional narrative structure. Through my original project Psychopomp and the fan art series Bokemon, I explore how illustration can carry philosophical ideas while remaining accessible and playful.
At Japan Expo Paris, I will be presenting a collection of illustration prints, stickers, and original artwork centered around two ongoing projects: Bokémon and Psychopomp.
Bokémon is a long-running fan art series that reimagines familiar Pokémon through grotesque transformations, exaggerated anatomy, and surreal visual storytelling. Drawing inspiration from horror, natural history, and speculative evolution, the series explores how familiar creatures might adapt, mutate, or exist in entirely different forms. What began as a playful doodling exercise has evolved into a larger project that challenges the boundary between fan art and original interpretation.
Alongside Bokémon, I will also be showcasing artwork from my original manga project, Psychopomp. The series explores themes of life, death, memory, and transformation through a world inhabited by spirits and guides of the dead. Many of the concepts are inspired by my interest in philosophy, symbolism, and the cyclical nature of existence.
A defining characteristic of my work is the contrast between unsettling imagery and playful presentation. I am drawn to creatures, skeletons, mutations, and other macabre subjects, yet I approach them with curiosity, humor, and a sense of wonder rather than fear. My goal is to create artwork that is simultaneously strange, approachable, and memorable.
I am especially excited to share my work with the audience at Japan Expo Paris. France has a rich comic tradition that has produced artists such as Moebius, whose work has been a significant source of inspiration for me. I look forward to learning from the French comic community, meeting fellow artists, and experiencing how my work resonates with visitors from a different cultural background.