Kikan S Winter 2025 (vol. 88)

Kikan S (季刊エス) is a quarterly Japanese magazine dedicated to illustration, design, and visual storytelling, spanning anime, manga, games, and fantasy art. Published by Pie International, it's known for exclusive cover artwork, in-depth artist interviews, and step-by-step making-of features that make it a favorite among illustrators and collectors alike.

Printed in full color on premium paper, each issue of Kikan S doubles as an art book — a lasting collectible for fans of Japanese character illustration.

Issue Highlights

Vol. 88 explores the theme "Fushigi Ayakashi" (Mystical Apparitions), with eerie, captivating visual interpretations of the supernatural throughout. The cover showcases an original illustration by Kazue Katō, creator of Blue Exorcist, complete with a detailed making-of interview celebrating the series' 15th anniversary.

The 160-page issue also features interviews with Yuki Midorikawa (Natsume's Book of Friends) and AidaIro (Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun), plus a look at Xiaofei Li and Louis Ventre, animators on the then-upcoming Dandadan anime, and a special conversation between manga artist Masakazu Katsura and storyteller Yamayū on the world of the mysterious and supernatural.

Also in This Issue

• A large illustrated pin-up of Kazue Katō's cover artwork
• Copic marker making-of tutorial by Yūki Yūki
• New artwork from emerging illustrators Totomame and Kenkyō
• Results from the 18th Pentablet de Art illustration contest and the 2nd GALLERIA illustration contest
• Ongoing serialized artwork by Range Murata, Hiroyuki Asada, and Fuu Aoi

About Kikan S

Since its founding, Kikan S has served as a bridge between the worlds of manga, anime, games, and fine art — spotlighting the illustrators shaping Japan's visual culture through exclusive cover commissions, candid interviews, and detailed making-of breakdowns.

Each issue pairs a major illustrator feature with a large full-color pin-up, contest results, technique columns, and serialized artwork from some of the industry's most celebrated names, making Kikan S essential reading for artists and collectors alike.

Specifications

Magazine: Kikan S (季刊エス)
Issue: Vol. 88, Winter 2025
Language: Japanese
Publisher: Pie International
Release Frequency: Quarterly
Condition: Brand New
Shipping: Ships from Japan