Interview with Mimimi, the Grand Prize winner of the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2025 - “Illustration is just a part of my life.”

── Congratulations once again on winning the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2025! What made you decide to submit your artwork to this contest?

── You did a great job winning the Grand Prize among so many entries. How did you feel when you learned that you had won?

── I would have loved to see your reaction. Did the people around you say anything, like your friends at school?

── So your friends at school know that you draw?

── So you’re well-known at school as a talented artist. Aside from the reactions of those around you, has anything changed for you since winning the award?

── That’s great to hear! You won a prize of 200,000 yen. Did you buy anything with it?

── The composition of the girl trapped inside the scrapbook really caught the judges’ attention. Where did you get this idea?

── This illustration definitely has a powerful impact—exactly what you were aiming for! It’s well-balanced overall, but was there anything in particular you focused on?

── I understand you usually focus on drawing characters. What aspects of characters do you enjoy drawing the most?

── Looking at the hands in your artwork, it’s clear that you really enjoy drawing them. Are there any creators whose character designs you admire or use as a reference?

── Do you often practice character design by tracing?

── Are you studying the basics of illustration, such as color theory and composition?

── Being able to draw based on what you like is a real strength, both in creating art and in your personal growth! How long does it take you to finish an original piece?

── I wish I had trouble with drawing too fast. That sounds so cool! Since you draw so much, are there ever moments when you think, “I don’t want to draw anymore”?

── As last year’s Grand Prize winner, you were commissioned to create the main visual for the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2026. The theme this time is Passage. What was it like to create this piece?

── The color scheme is wonderful. It’s clear you put a lot of thought into it. How did you decide on the colors?

── You’re really good at balancing warm and cool colors! Which part of the illustration took the most time?

── I was really impressed by how wide-ranging the ideas in the rough sketches you sent me were. Did the ideas for the key visuals also come from the notes you’ve been collecting over time?

── There are lots of little details scattered throughout, aren’t there?

── I thought you did a great job of less is more—the placement of the small details and the color balance are excellent! What are your thoughts on the finished piece?

── What kind of art would you like to create in the future?

── There’s so much room to experiment—whether it’s a traditional Japanese style or a sci-fi vibe! Do you have any plans, like compiling your illustrations into a book?

── What would you like to study in college?

── How do you plan to approach illustration in the future?

── I’m looking forward to seeing more of your illustrations in the future! In 2026, you’ll be a high school senior, and this will be your last chance to enter this contest. Do you plan to participate?