Kikan S Autumn 2025 (vol. 91)

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. 91 puts the spotlight on Takeshi Obata, the legendary illustrator behind Death Note, Bakuman., and Platinum End, celebrating his 40th anniversary as an artist with a 12,000-word career-spanning interview and a full making-of feature on his striking cover illustration for this issue's theme, "Maverick — The Strive of the Outcasts."

The issue also goes behind the scenes with the creative team behind the long-awaited sequel New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT, featuring director Hiroyuki Imaishi alongside Hiroumi Wakabayashi, Shigeto Koyama, and Masaru Sakamoto, plus a look at the artists behind the Season 2 ending animation for the hit anime Dandadan.

Manga fans will find interviews with Inuhiko Doronota on To Walk the Universe With You — winner of the Manga Taisho 2024 grand prize — and Koko Ukizuki on Fall for These Illusive Angels, alongside a feature on San-X's beloved Sentimental Circus franchise with illustrator Haruko Ichikawa.

Also in This Issue

• A large illustrated pin-up of Takeshi Obata's cover artwork
• Copic marker making-of tutorial by Na Miyataka
• Winner showcase from the 18th Pentablet de Art illustration contest
• Serialized illustrator interviews and columns from Masayuki Tanaka, Mana Nanakami, Yusuke Nakamura, and more
• Ongoing serialized artwork by Range Murata, Hiroyuki Asada, Fuu Aoi, Totomame, and Ugomba

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. 91, Autumn 2025
Language: Japanese
Publisher: Pie International
Release Frequency: Quarterly
Condition: Brand New
Shipping: Ships from Japan