On pixiv, works that include strange things or people lurking behind a character or deep within the background are sometimes tagged with #後ろの存在感 (lit. something lurking in the back). These surprise elements broaden the story and add playful intrigue to otherwise ordinary scenes. Some of them will have you doing a double-take when you spot them!

Watch out behind you for this collection of illustrations tagged with #SomethingLurking.

View more

There’s something utterly captivating about intricately painted eyes with glimmering irises, painstakingly detailed reflections, and a sense of depth that pulls you right in. With a single glance, these eyes will grab your attention and steal your heart.

Get drawn into this collection of illustrations featuring enchanting eyes.

View more

With soft pastel tones and whimsical, surreal motifs, the yume kawaii (lit. “dreamy cuteness”) style draws you into a dreamlike world of adorable wonder. Sweets, unicorns, plush toys, and characters dressed in cotton candy colors like pink and baby blue… Illustrations utilizing this style are downright magical.

Dream on with this collection of illustrations featuring the yume kawaii style.

View more

On pixiv, illustrations that bring characters from different works together often get tagged with #夢の共演 (lit. Dream Crossover). These unexpected mashups leap over the boundaries of the original canon, letting beloved characters meet in impossible encounters straight out of your dreams.

Mix it up with this collection of illustrations featuring dream crossovers!

View more

Warning: Some illustrations contain horror or frightening content.

On pixiv, eerie and unsettling illustrations are often tagged with #なにこれこわい (nani kore kowai, lit. “WTF this is scary”). These creepy works will make you want to look away… yet somehow, you can’t help but stare, drawn deeper into their disturbing worlds.

Do you dare to view this collection of illustrations tagged with “WTF This is Scary”?

View more

We all have favorite stories that we love from start to finish. But when the ending hits hard, sometimes you can’t help but think, “If only things had gone differently…” Whether it's imagining a happier fate for a character or a path not taken, we've all dreamed of a world that could have been.

These illustrations explore those poignant “what-ifs” that leave you thinking, “Why couldn’t it have ended like this?”

Rewrite tragedies with this collection of illustrations featuring scenarios that might have been.

View more

On pixiv, artworks of unparalleled beauty are often tagged with #ふつくしい, a mispronunciation of the word “gorgeous” in Japanese which conveys how these artworks leave viewers tongue-tied. Lustrous colors, mesmerizing water effects, unforgettable moments frozen in time… These striking scenes evoke a feeling that words just can’t quite express.

No description can do justice to these illustrations tagged #ふつくしい (Indescribably Gorgeous).

View more

A change of clothing can transform your whole aura! On pixiv, the tag #衣装チェンジ (lit. costume change) is often used for illustrations where characters swap outfits with each other or dress in completely new styles. Seeing your favs in unexpected attire reveals a fresh new side of their personality you never would have expected.

Switch things up with this collection of illustrations featuring costume changes!

View more

On pixiv, illustrations that capture unbelievably heartwarming, radiant smiles are tagged with #守りたい、この笑顔 (lit. I Want to Protect This Smile). Whether it's a moment of carefree laughter or a look of pure joy, these are expressions you’ll want to cherish forever.

Steel your heart for this overwhelmingly sweet collection of illustrations tagged with "I Want to Protect This Smile."

View more

On pixiv, illustrations showcasing characters with striking, emotional gazes are often tagged with #目殺師 (めころし) (lit. Killer Gaze). Just one glance from these piercing eyes will stop you in your tracks, overwhelmed by the emotion they hold.

Get lost in the mesmerizing gazes on display in this collection of illustrations tagged with “killer gaze.”

View more

View more

On pixiv, illustrations are often tagged with #勝てる気がしない (lit. "feels like we can't win") if they feature characters so intimidating that it’s clear there's no way anyone could defeat them. The characters featured in these drawings dominate the scene with just a glance, exuding overwhelming strength even while standing still. Their presence alone cements their victory, long before the battle even begins.

Dare to face your doom with these illustrations tagged "feels like we can't win."

View more

On pixiv, illustrations featuring characters eating with gusto are sometimes tagged with #いっぱい食べる君が好き (lit. “I Like It When You Eat A Lot”). Seeing someone happily stuffing their cheeks with their favorite food or savoring something delicious with a satisfied expression is truly heartwarming.

Dig in with this collection of illustrations tagged with “I Like It When You Eat A Lot.”

View more

On pixiv, illustrations overflowing with deep love and respect for the works portrayed are sometimes tagged with #愛がなければ描けない (lit. "Without Love, It Cannot Be Drawn"). Whether it's depicting every last character from a series or meticulously capturing details in costumes and expressions, the artists' undying love for the work shines through.

Witness true dedication with this collection of illustrations tagged "Without Love, It Cannot Be Drawn.”

View more

On pixiv, you’ll sometimes come across drawings with the tag #後ろの存在感 (ushiro no sonzaikan, lit. “presence in the back”). These illustrations usually have something or someone in the background that stands out just as much, if not more, than the main focus of the picture. At times, it can be hard to pay attention to the main character because of how intriguing the scene in the background appears—keep scrolling through these images, and we think you’ll see what we mean!

Which of these background presences did you find the hardest to ignore?

View more

Do you ever wonder what your favorite character might look like in another style or act in another world? Perhaps the most exciting, not to mention ambitious, form of fan art is crossover fan art, where two or more characters from different series are drawn together. Through the power of illustration, these characters are able to transcend borders—sometimes even time itself—and have an unexpected collaboration, often with magical results.

Which of these crossovers was your favorite or most unexpected, and do you have any dream collabs you’d like to see?

View more

Have you ever heard of the term “me ga shiitake” (目がしいたけ, lit. “shiitake eyes”)? If you’re wondering, “What on earth do mushrooms have to do with your eyes?” “me ga shiitake” is actually a reference to shiitake hanagiri, a cutting technique used in traditional Japanese foods such as hot pots and simmered dishes, where shiitake mushroom caps are decorated with a beautiful flower pattern. In anime and manga, characters’ pupils are often changed to shapes resembling these decorated shiitake caps or diamonds to convey their unbridled joy. When a person has a literal twinkle in their eye, you know that whatever they’re looking at is bound to bring them absolute happiness!

Enjoy the illustrations below and share these characters’ happiness with them!

View more

If you live in Japan or watch a lot of Japanese YouTubers, you’re probably familiar with the website いらすとや (Irasutoya). Irasutoya is a popular Japanese website offering cute, royalty-free illustrations, and even government websites are known to use them sometimes!

Recently, the いらすとやチャレンジ (Irasutoya Challenge) has been trending on pixiv, where artists take various Irasutoya illustrations and draw them in their own style. From adorable chibis to humorous takes that will make you chuckle, these illustrations are as charming as they come!

Have you tried this challenge yet? If not, perhaps this feature will convince you to do so!

View more

One of the most important visual aspects to consider when drawing a character is their eyes; no matter how beautiful a character might be, if they have so-called “dead fish eyes,” it makes it harder to connect with them. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of hypnotic eyes in anime and manga, and there’s even a tag for it on pixiv called #吸い込まれそうな瞳 (suikomaresou na hitomi; lit. “enchanting eyes”). Whether it’s their eye color, uniquely shaped irises, or sparkles that remind you of stars, these eyes are sure to have you spellbound!

Take a look at the characters below and lose yourself in their enchanting eyes!

View more

Do you ever have that feeling where when someone tells you not to do something, it only makes you want to do it even more? That’s what 混ぜるな危険 (mazeruna kiken, lit. “danger, do not mix”) entails, but artists on pixiv have taken that phrase and turned it into a tag for crossover illustrations that will make you go, “Dang, never dreamt of pairing those two together!” Kitaro’s father and Gintoki Sakata look surprisingly good in each other’s outfits in the outfit swap drawing below, don’t you think?

Are you ready for these boundary-shattering crossover illustrations? Keep scrolling to test the limits of your imagination!

View more