A Decade of MAGIC FOR ALL: How Disney Continues to Inspire Artists
Disney and UNIQLO’s collaborative project, MAGIC FOR ALL celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. To celebrate the occasion, fan-favorite collections are making a long-awaited return. From the “Timeless Collection”- a tribute to classic Disney characters – to the artist–driven – “Disney Art”, and the comeback of the beloved “Disney's Mickey Mouse Toy”, this celebration features special releases. In this exclusive interview, we speak with the renowned artists behind the “Disney Art” collection. What is it about Disney that continues to captivate and inspire them? Read on to discover their unique perspectives.
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James Jarvis Currently creating, inspired by ‘heta-uma’ style
Q. What draws you to Disney, or your favorite Disney character?
I am interested in the idea of Disney as a modernist, and that his early cartoon characters are a manifestation of the modernist ethos of form follows function. Those early modernist ideals have always been very important to the way I think about my own work.
Q. When you first worked on this collaboration, what inspired your creative vision through your design?
I wanted to make a work that related both to the essence of the original character and at the same time was an expression of my own ideas about drawing methodologies.
Q. What aspects proved most challenging you faced during the creative process, or specific details you were especially focused on?
The challenge was the same for all commercial collaborations: to make something that feels reflective of my artistic identity while still satisfying the needs of the client.
Q. How do you feel about your original design being revived and shared again with people around the world?
I am pleased that Uniqlo felt the design was considered successful enough to use again.
Q. Lastly, could you tell us about your current work or any upcoming projects you’d like to share?
During the time I made the drawing for the Uniqlo T-shirt I was interested in the idea of drawing as a refined series of gestures. As those gestures become progressively more rehearsed and familiar, I feel like the drawing can lose its originality. Recently I have been exploring a different perspective on drawing inspired by the Japanese 'heta-uma' artistic movement and thinking about how to make the act of drawing less conscious.
James Jarvis
Born in 1970, London-based artist and illustrator, whose work encompasses cartoons, objects, comics, graphic design, printmaking and moving image. His practice concerns drawing, philosophy, alternate realities, minimalism, and skateboarding.
Esther Kim Love for ever-evolving Disney
Q. What draws you to Disney, or your favorite Disney character?
I love that Disney continues to evolve while staying true to its core values and fans.
Q. When you first worked on this collaboration, what inspired your creative vision through your design?
I really wanted to draw Disney's Mickey Mouse in my style and make him look relaxed and happy.
Q. What aspects proved most challenging you faced during the creative process, or specific details you were especially focused on?
It was a challenge to draw Mickey Mouse in my style while making sure not to lose his essence. I ended up having fun with it and I hope that comes across.
Q. How do you feel about your original design being revived and shared again with people around the world?
I’m so honored and happy to have it revived. It feels amazing.
Q. Lastly, could you tell us about your current work or any upcoming projects you’d like to share?
Currently I am working on several exciting commercial projects while also working on personal paintings.
Esther Kim
Korean-American artist. She was born in Los Angeles and spent her teenage years in Tokyo. She has been working as a creative for over ten years combining illustration, design, character licensing, art direction and gallery art to create her own world.
Danny Sangra Disney's Donald Duck Through a Painterly Lens
Q. What draws you to Disney, or your favorite Disney character?
Disney characters are so ingrained in culture— not just their personalities, but their style: the line work, the color palettes. They've always represented a high standard.
Q. When you first worked on this collaboration, what inspired your creative vision through your design?
I wanted to create something more painterly than graphic, a softer, more expressive approach, especially for a character like Donald Duck.
Q. What aspects proved most challenging you faced during the creative process, or specific details you were especially focused on?
The key was not losing the essence of the character by overworking it. Beyond that, I just had fun with it.
Q. How do you feel about your original design being revived and shared again with people around the world?
It’s great — now more people get to experience it.
Q. Lastly, could you tell us about your current work or any upcoming projects you’d like to share?
Lately I’ve been directing more than illustrating, so I’ve started a new collection of paintings. Drawing and painting keep me balanced — I need both.
Danny Sangra
British multifaceted artist known for his bold, playful, and often humorous works that blend painting, illustration, typography, and mixed media. He has collaborated with brands like Burberry, bringing his distinctive satirical aesthetic to fashion films and advertising.
NUTS ART WORKS / Naoto Hinai Enjoying the process as usual
Q. What draws you to Disney, or your favorite Disney character?
There’s no particular reason, but I really liked Duke Caboom -the Canadian stuntman toy who appears in Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4, which I watched with my child. The fact that he’s voiced by Keanu Reeves definitely adds to the appeal!
Q. When you first worked on this collaboration, what inspired your creative vision through your design?
Both Disney and UNIQLO are globally recognized brands, but I tried not to overthink it and simply approached it with my usual mindset.
Q. What aspects proved most challenging you faced during the creative process, or specific details you were especially focused on?
Honestly, I didn’t face any major challenges. I was able to enjoy the process from beginning to end.
Q. How do you feel about your original design being revived and shared again with people around the world?
When I think about global reach, it really hits me how incredible that is. I’m genuinely happy to have been part of it.
Q. Lastly, could you tell us about your current work or any upcoming projects you’d like to share?
In addition to hand-painted signage, I’m working on a wide range of projects, including package and logo design.
Naoto Hinai / NUTS ART WORKS
Based in Tokyo, began his career as a sign painter in 1996. He has created hand-painted signage and graphic work for numerous shops and brands. Recognized as a true craftsman of traditional sign art, he continues to work actively, publishing art books and holding solo exhibitions both in Japan and internationally.
Fujio Akatsuka A Lifelong Love for Disney, now Celebrating its 90 Years anniversary
Rieko Akatsuka, the daughter of manga artist Fujio Akatsuka and CEO of Fujio Productions, the company founded by her father, shared her thoughts with us.
Q. What draws you to Disney, or your favorite Disney character?
I don’t remember the exact title, but I recall that the first movie I ever saw at a big theater as a child-brought there by my mother-was a Disney film. Having grown up surrounded by the characters from my father’s Akatsuka manga, Disney's Mickey Mouse has also been a familiar presence since my early years. I believe Mickey, with his simple colors and lines, is a lovable character who will continue to live on forever.
Q. When you first worked on this collaboration, what inspired your creative vision through your design?
Before he passed away, my father, Fujio Akatsuka, held an annual pass to Tokyo Disneyland and was a huge fan of the Disney film Kore de Ii no Da!! Also, this September, the “Art of MANGA” exhibition will be held at the de Young Museum in San Francisco and Fujio Akatsuka’s work will be featured there.
Fujio Akatsuka
Born in 1935, he was a renowned manga artist best known for works such as Osomatsu-kun, Himitsu no Akko-chan, Tensai Bakabon, and Mooretsu Atarou. Often hailed as the “King of Gag Manga,” many of his iconic series have been adapted into anime. He passed away in 2008. His 90th birth anniversary will be commemorated in 2025.
Osamu Tezuka Crossroads of Fate
It's well known that manga artist Osamu Tezuka was deeply influenced by Disney. Inspired by his dream to create Disney-like animated films, he founded an animation studio and produced Astro Boy, Japan's first domestically produced full-length TV anime series. Tezuka revered Walt Disney, Disney’s founder, as his “spiritual mentor.” Below are selected passages from The Walt Disney Story (currently out of print), a collection of Tezuka's manga and essays about Walt Disney.
“Here stands a man who was drawn to Disney, captivated by Disney, and whose life path was determined by Disney. In my second year of elementary school, I encountered Mickey Mouse for the first time at a cartoon film festival. Later, when my father bought an old-fashioned home projector called Pathé Baby and collected several films, one of them was 'Mickey's Choo-Choo.' At that moment, Disney and I were already connected by an unbreakable chain. In my child's heart, I believed Disney was our ally. I believed Disney understood something about the children's world that adults couldn't grasp even when children tried to explain it to them. It was like that warm connection a
student feels toward a sympathetic teacher—'This teacher is one of us!’ Children around the world must have embraced him with that same intuition.” (Asahi Journal, June 15, 1973, p.69)
“Ever since I became devoted to Disney, I desperately copied and mastered this plush toy style, and it eventually became my current artistic approach. To be frank, my artistic approach leaves no room for bold experimentation. I've become completely trapped within the confines of round, adorable cuteness.” (Asahi Journal, June 15, 1973, p.71)
“Well, my parents bought me that book and I became absorbed in copying from it—that's what set me on the path to becoming a manga artist. That's why I can draw black-eyed Mickey with my eyes closed. Incidentally, I learned a bit later that Mickey's two ears never overlap to become one, no matter which direction Mickey faces. Influence is a frightening thing. Astro Boy's two pointed hairs never overlap either, no matter which way Astro turns. They're always two separate strands. So, you could say Astro is like Mickey's nephew, inheriting quite a bit of Mickey's DNA. “ (Kinema Junpo, Late November 1988, p.94)
“I encountered Disney in 1964, just two years before his passing. 'Encountered' may be overstating it—it was merely a brief standing chat lasting less than a minute. Without that opportunity, he would have remained forever a figure in the clouds, this man who was my lifelong spiritual mentor. This aging charisma, with graying hair, wrinkled face, and slightly hunched shoulders, firmly grasped my hand. (...) My devotion to Disney needs no further explanation—you can see it simply by looking at my artwork. Currently, I possess research copies of his early masterpieces like 'Snow
White,' 'Pinocchio,' and 'Fantasia,' plus several short subjects. Even knowing these are creations from four decades past, I screen them repeatedly for study, marveling at his genius. “
(Sou Magazine No.135, December 1, 1981, p.88)
“He (Walt Disney) addressed an audience of about five hundred from the stage. The crowd's fervor exceeded all expectations. And the eyes of the elderly, young adults, children, and toddlers hanging on his every word! Those hundreds of gleaming eyes brimming with admiration, hope, and appreciation! (...) Every single generation had spent their lives laughing at, delighting in, and cherishing Disney's beloved characters. “ (Bungeishunju, May 1967, p.79)
“While animation is commonly interpreted as 'moving images,' it originally derives from animism—the very technique of breathing apparent life into inanimate objects. Throughout their lives, from childhood to death, people harbor countless dreams. Dreams of soaring through the sky, of transformation—surely everyone has entertained such fantasies at least once. Among these dreams is surely the universal wish to converse with mountains, rivers, chairs, desks, flowers, birds, and beasts—to imagine how wonderful it would be if they could move and act like humans.
I believe Disney was, at his core, a seeker of this very dream.” (Bungeishunju, May 1967, p.80-81)
Osamu Tezuka
Manga artist and animation creator. Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1928. He established new concepts for Japanese manga and anime, earning him the title “God of Manga.” All of his works—including “Astro Boy,” “Kimba the White Lion,” “Phoenix,” and “Black Jack”—are unified by the theme of “the sanctity of life.” He passed away in 1989.
For more information, visit our special website for MAGIC FORALL 10th Anniversary： https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/special-feature/ut/magic-for-all
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MEN Disney Art UT Graphic T-Shirt
MEN Disney Art UT Graphic T-Shirt
MEN Disney Art UT Graphic T-Shirt
MEN Disney Art UT Graphic T-Shirt
MEN Disney Art UT Graphic T-Shirt
MEN Disney Art UT Graphic T-Shirt
