50 nominees for the “Shibuya Pixel Art Contest 2025” have been decided! Who will win this year’s grand prize?
thePIXEL Press release: September 2, 2025 To Members of the Press 50 nominees for the “Shibuya Pixel Art Contest 2025” have been decided! Who will win this year’s grand prize? With less than a month until “SHIBUYA PIXEL ART 2025 ~ Everyday Life with Pixel Art ~” opens, the streets of Shibuya are ablaze with pixel art.
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broadcasting rights on three street screens in Shibuya (Shibuya Station West Exit Vision, Shibuya modi’s Shueisha Vision, and Tower Records’ Tower Records Vision). Who will win this year’s grand prize? The moment when the streets of Shibuya will be decorated with pixel art is fast approaching. Judges Shibuya Kazuko (Square Enix Art director)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-f45fbb1fca58e58da3953792b815fbf4-1000×1000.jpg A graphic designer who has worked on character pixel art and designs for titles such as the “Final Fantasy” and “Romancing SaGa” series, from his time at Square Enix through to the present. He is responsible for many graphics that remain deeply etched in players’ memories, such as the opening scene of “FFI,” and has captivated fans as a “master of pixel art.” In “FINAL FANTASY PIXEL REMASTER,” released in 2021, he personally redraws the player character pixel art from “FF1” through “FF6,” which he previously worked on, sparking buzz. eBoy (Kai, Steffen and Svend) (CEO, Creative Director, Artist, Software Developer)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-23dcb13b86be134c3713178ba884f003-1200×628.png eBoy was founded in 1997 by Kai Vermeer, Steffen Sauerteig, and Svent Smital. They create pixel-based art for top brands like Adidas, Google, and Nike. Based in Los Angeles and Berlin, the company has gained recognition worldwide. Joo JaeBum (Pixelist)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-01a2fba7aade8a3e0ed383b084165b69-3900×3900.png The pixel art I create offers a new perspective on the familiar world, making it more engaging and enjoyable. It’s my unique way of expressing the everyday in my own artistic language. waneella (Valeriya Sanchilo) (Pixel Artist)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-f5e53d827f0503ceb1fc1e2b86ee9979-420×420.png Born in Moscow, Russia in 1993. Studied at Gerasimov State University of Cinematography with a specialized degree in computer graphics and animation. Started creating pixel art in 2013. Since 2017, has worked as a background artist in game development and animation (studios he has worked with include Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Valve, WayForward, Marvel, and Soyuzmultfilm). Pixel Jeff (Pixel Artist)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-46a9b91a5dff017d5df2faf78aac0069-1080×1080.jpg Pixel Jeff is a pixel artist based in Taipei, Taiwan. His work beautifully blends retro elements with a futuristic vibe, drawing inspiration from cyberpunk and lo-fi aesthetics. His art evokes strong feelings of nostalgia while also inspiring limitless imagination. Toyoya Li (Animator/Pixel Artist)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-4abfc315ae9cf0e3244db67a67bc8a08-700×700.png I create illustrations, animations, and GIFs primarily in pixel format. Much of my work is influenced by early retro 8-bit games and the electronic culture of the 1980s and 1990s. Using continuous graphics and free-flowing imagination, I create meaningful, nostalgic pixel art pieces. Shinji Murakami (Contemporary Artist)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-70d1d32ab1a0aaeb29a0579f365215e7-1600×1600.jpg A contemporary artist based in New York. Selected as one of Modern Painters’ “100 Artists to Watch” in 2011. In 2019, he collaborated with Henri Bendel, the iconic New York luxury department store, on his final collaboration. Since 2016, he has designed the walls of over 300 Salesforce offices using pixel tiles. He is currently represented by the Romania-based Catinca Tabacaru Gallery. APO (Pixel Artist)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-dbbc4b2133b27fc5ddf59c3cfc27a8c5-400×400.png Born in 1991. While creating his own works, he also provides his work for advertisements, music videos, and other media. He also promotes the development and awareness of a new pixel art culture through the publication of pixel art books and other media. Future schedule Final judging:Early September 2025 Nominated Works Exhibition:Sunday, September 21, 2025, Shibuya Stream Hall *Works that pass the first round of judging will be exhibited as nominated works. Results Announcement & Award Ceremony:Sunday, September 21, 2025, Shibuya Stream Hall *All awards will be announced here. List of Award Nominees (in no particular order) • Fan 6:18 PM [32 × 32] • ������ekusGAMEs ������ Drinking Water for Monsters [512 × 512] • 51N1 everyday view in the wetland city [128 × 128] • medium animal domitory [320 × 240] • ALTA, Probably the Usual Shibuya [512 × 512] • AbueloRetroWave Enf of the day [473 × 329] • Hachida Nanairo Reading [320 × 240] • Dario Georges A Rainbow Of Futures [256 × 256] • SillyPotato A rough day [128 × 128] • Apura What color is it today [144 × 150] • Winter corner crashing waves [32 × 32] • Alta Hinyari and Nyan-Leeri [256 × 256] • VVC!O (Bubushio) Water Cat MIZUNEKO [64 × 64] • SillyPotato Parking Lot [176 × 128] • Wacko My life in Tokyo [176 × 176] • farah.exe Evening Glow [270 x 200] • Haru Dolphin Play [256 x 160] • Kreum (Gati Crum) Shelter [400 x 269] • Aoyashiki The Umbrella’s Dream [384 x 384] • Kanoko Rin Tarou (������������������������) If I Could Live Like Water [256 x 512] • 51N1 one day / One day [128 x 45] • Yakata Technician’s daily life [480 x 270] • vivi Unknown life [334 x 225] • Sato Goodnight, Greeting the Morning [300 x 300] • TAKEKIYO DESTINED TO BE TOGETHER [16 x 16] • Gfragger Found you [250 x 150] • Sugakumo Miracle [160 x 90] • Koishi today and tomorrow [64 x 64] • onemorebit The mundane [160 x 240] • kroim Goldfish on the window [256 x 256] • YAMACHEN951 routine [450 x 450] • puzu Loyal Dog Hachiko Shichi Transformation [64 x 64] • Sgam A Day of Wandering [256 x 256] • Dee Little Loves [16 x 16] • Dee Who owns who? [32 x 32] • Haru usual play [32 x 32] • TAHK0 shibuya rain [160 x 144] • Oyuzaki city, color, shine [204 x 144] • iemon Encounter [192 x 288] • ■Hisashi■ Reverse: Shibuya Dungeon [512 x 256] • Koneko / koneko Nyao [145 x 315] • Daemon King Romako Water Ripple [16 x 16] • Rui8bit Boundary Exploration [200 x 200] • White Hatame PET [153 x 206] • maiko_015_ Pixels in your field of vision [512 × 384] • vezemo.art Everyday Shibuya Blues / Everyday Shibuya Blues [75 × 140] • arts.of.win To Whatever Lies Ahead [360 × 360] • onemore.bit Crossing [512 × 512] • serious_panda_craft_beer Fall n Spring [380 × 280] • thierrynng Tea House [383 × 512]
The world’s largest pixel art festival, “SHIBUYA PIXEL ART 2025 ~Everyday Life with Pixel Art~,” will be held at Shibuya Stream Hall on Sunday, September 21st!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142243/12/142243-12-2040c14ce771e1ed34689f3123d808f2-1080×1080.png This year, various programs previously held at multiple venues around Shibuya and Harajuku will be consolidated into one location, bringing together over 160 pixel artists and live performers at Shibuya Stream Hall, directly connected to Shibuya Station. Popular artists active both in Japan and abroad, including from the United States, Russia, China, South Korea, and Taiwan, will exhibit and sell their works, as well as hold talk shows, game tournaments, and live music
performances. Event highlights will be posted regularly on the official website and social media! ■HP https://pixel-art.jp/spa2025 ■X https://twitter.com/ShibuyaPixelArt (@ShibuyaPixelArt) ■IG
https://www.instagram.com/shibuya_pixel_art (@shibuya_pixel_art)