TOMOYA WESTRIVER

Born on April 22, 1995, TOMOYA entered the Faculty of Letters at Meiji Gakuin University in 2014, majoring in East Asian art. He developed a particular fascination with Japanese ukiyo-e, immersing himself in the study of its composition and aesthetics. This solid foundation in traditional art has since become a core pillar of his creative practice.

After graduating in 2018, he set his sights on becoming a manga artist, launching a full-fledged creative career. His ability to design and convey narrative flow visually led to multiple newcomer manga awards, and over time, he expanded his activities into illustration, logo design, and graphic art. His drawings are distinguished by their blend of narrative strength and visual impact.

Since joining JESSO CREATIVES in 2023, TOMOYA has broadened his artistic spectrum. Combining the refined linework and balanced compositions rooted in ukiyo-e and manga with the raw energy of street culture, he has developed a dynamic and highly original visual language.

Drawing inspiration from contemporary culture—including rap, graffiti, and street fashion—he freely absorbs and reinterprets these elements to present a new aesthetic where tradition and modernity coexist. In brand collaborations, he brings a bold graphic identity, while in exhibition projects, he fuses storytelling with visual design to heighten the immersive quality of his work.

Today, TOMOYA plays a key role in shaping JESSO’s visual identity and driving collaborative projects with artists and brands, pushing the possibilities of graphic art that bridges tradition and contemporary culture.

2018 – Effort Award at the Kodansha Morning Monthly Awards
2020 – Effort Award at the Kodansha Morning Monthly Awards
2021 – Bronze Prize in the Shueisha Jump Rookie Monthly Rookie Awards
2023 – Winner of the CNF Logo Competition
2024 – Featured in the free magazine JOOOINT
2024 – Group exhibition GOAT
2024 – Group exhibition SEA
2024 – Selected in the signage design competition for the animated feature film KILLTUBE 
2024 - Yuki Tsunoda Kart Warrior Graphic/Logo Design
2024 - Rescene Shibuya 109 Poster Design
2024 - Inseng Necut x Tokyo Tower x Tomoya Westriver