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Artist Draws Disney Princesses And Sailor Moon In A Unique Style That Looks Like Traditional Japanese Prints
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Artist Draws Disney Princesses And Sailor Moon In A Unique Style That Looks Like Traditional Japanese Prints

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There’s a big chance you’ve seen ukiyo-e somewhere before. And no, it’s not the droid character from the Star Wars series. Ukiyo-e is known as one of the most important genres of traditional Japanese art. The name translates to “the pictures of the floating world” and describes the Japanese woodblock prints typical to the 17th-19th centuries.

But traditional art doesn’t have to stand still forever, and that’s why modern remakes are always a feast for the eyes. So this time, ukiyo-e is getting a Disney rendition. You heard me right! The illustrator Ono Tako has created beautiful traditional Japanese prints featuring popular characters like Snow White, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid all inspired by the unique art technique. Scroll down for Bored Panda‘s interview with the artist behind these beautiful drawings below. And share your impressions in the comments!

More info: note.com | Twitter

Japanese-themed Snow White is here seen taking a bite of the poisonous apple

Image credits: ono800

Image credits: ono800

Ono Tako told Bored Panda that the “Western Fairy Tales” print series came as a result of combining the style of Kitagawa Utamaro, a legendary painter of the famous ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and Disney characters’ original designs. “Many people compared my prints to Yumeji Takehisa and Alphonse Mucha. This is very unexpected and I feel very honored.”

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The Tokyo-based illustrator found ukiyo-e art particularly appealing because “not only is it visually beautiful, but it also reflects the author’s individuality and high skill.” Plus, it also served “as a valuable source for learning about the lifestyles, culture, trends, and values of Japanese people at the time.”

Cinderella is trying on traditional Japanese geta instead of the usual princess shoe

Image credits: ono800

Image credits: ono800

Artist Ono Tako has also reimagined the Little Mermaid living underwater

Image credits: ono800

Tako has been passionate about drawing since he was 3 years old. But the breakthrough happened after he drew some illustrations for the Japanese online game “Fate/Grand Order.” At the moment, “I work with Japanese publishers and game companies,” he told us.

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It turns out, these fairytale characters were a request from Ono’s fans. “Snow White, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid have been my favorites since I was a kid. I chose Frozen because my close friend’s daughter loves the movie.” These famous characters’ sense of fashion has also played a role: “I love the designs of their dresses!”

Image credits: ono800

Image credits: ono800

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Sailor Moon⁠—what a pleasant surprise!

Image credits: ono800

This is what people had to say

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Liucija Adomaite

Liucija Adomaite

Writer, Community member

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Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Read less »
Liucija Adomaite

Liucija Adomaite

Writer, Community member

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Mantas Kačerauskas

Mantas Kačerauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

Read less »

Mantas Kačerauskas

Mantas Kačerauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

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