hello!
I'm Max, a Japanese illustrator from North Carolina!Prior to doing conventions, I spent two years at Parsons Paris studying fashion. Now, I use what I learned to make handmade apparel and art!I specialize in:
✦ fighting games
✦ touhou
and original characters!
booth & merch photos
tees
All apparel is handmade by me- down to the ink formulas themselves.
hand fans
caps
at-con commissions
I offer 5 x 7 inch pen & ink or marker sketch commissions at conventions.
.
stickers
I will not being stickers to conventions that do not allow them.
keychains
Please click the button below to view past and upcoming events I have tabled at.
2024
Event | Event Type | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Animate! Raleigh | Anime | Raleigh, NC | Jan 5-7 |
Ichibancon | Anime | Concord, NC | Jan 11-14 |
AP Anime Art Market | Anime | Raleigh, NC | Feb 4 |
RRG Gaming Pop Up Market | Gaming | Raleigh, NC | Feb 10 |
C&CC Mini-Con | Cosplay | Raleigh, NC | Feb 11 |
Genesis X | Super Smash Bros | San Jose, CA | Feb 16-18 |
RRG Hidden Block Party | Gaming | Raleigh, NC | Mar 3 |
Playthrough Gaming Convention | Gaming | Raleigh, NC | Mar 16-17 |
MAX MODE | Fighting Games | Norcross, GA | Mar 22-24 |
Triad Anime Con | Anime | Winston-Salem, NC | Mar 29-31 |
Stick Drift | Super Smash Bros | Hampton, VA | Apr 6 |
AP Anime Flea Market | Anime | Raleigh, NC | Apr 7 |
Texas Showdown | Fighting Games | Houston, TX | Apr 26-28 |
Fayetteville Comic Con | Comics | Fayetteville,NC | Apr 27-28 |
TouhouFest | Touhou | Torrance, CA | Apr 27-28 |
Anime Central | Anime | Rosemont, IL | May 17-19 |
Animazement | Anime | Raleigh, NC | May 24-26 |
RRG Summer Expo | Gaming | Raleigh, NC | Jun 15 |
Pride Winston Salem | LGBTQ+ | Winston-Salem, NC | Jun 22 |
Fredericksburg Comic Con | Comics | Fredericksburg, VA | Jun 29 |
Patchwork | Super Smash Bros | Raleigh, NC | Jul 6-7 |
BlerdCon | Fandom | Crystal City, VA | Jul 12-14 |
EVO | Fighting Games | Las Vegas, NV | Jul 19-21 |
Defend the North | Fighting Games | Uniondale, NY | Aug 2-4 |
Queen City Anime Convention | Anime | Charlotte, NC | Aug 16-18 |
Soda City Comic Con | Comics | Columbia, SC | Aug 24-25 |
AP Anime Art Market | Anime | Raleigh, NC | Aug 25 |
Greensboro Pride | LGBTQ+ | Greensboro, NC | Sep 22 |
DreamHack Atlanta | Gaming | Atlanta, GA | Oct 4-6 |
East Coast Throwdown | Fighting Games | Hartford, CT | Oct 11-13 |
MoTownCon | Anime | Mooresville, NC | Oct 19 |
Fayetteville Comic Con | Comics | Fayetteville, NC | Oct 19-20 |
Climax of Night | Fighting Games | Peachtree Corners, GA | Oct 25-27 |
Nekocon | Anime | Hampton Roads, VA | Nov 1-3 |
Anime Fredericksburg | Anime | Fredericksburg, VA | Nov 16 |
Anime Frontier | Anime | Fort Worth, TX | Dec 6-8 |
Ocean City Comic Con | Comics | Ocean City, MD | Dec 14-15 |
2023
Event | Event Type | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Get Some Game Market | Gaming | Charlotte, NC | Jan 21 |
Camel City Collector's Con | Gaming | Winston-Salem, NC | Apr 15 |
Tidewater Comicon | Comics | Virginia Beach, VA | May 20-21 |
Heroes Con | Comics | Charlotte, NC | Jun 16-18 |
Stick Drift | Super Smash Bros | Hampton, VA | Jun 17 |
Defend the North | Fighting Games | Brooklyn, NY | Jul 14-16 |
Patchwork | Super Smash Bros | Raleigh, NC | Jul 15-16 |
HashtagCon | Cosplay | Herndon, VA | Jul 22 |
Shine | Super Smash Bros | Worcestor, MA | Aug 25-27 |
Fairfax Comic Con | Comics | Chantilly, VA | Aug 26-27 |
Summer Jam | Fighting Games | Cherry Hill, NJ | Sep 1-3 |
Chemistry Queer Vendor Market | LGBTQ+ | Greensboro, NC | Sep 24 |
MoTownCon | Anime | Mooresville, NC | Oct 7 |
Fayetteville Comic Con | Comics | Fayetteville, NC | Oct 13-15 |
Rise 'N Grind | Super Smash Bros | Waco, TX | Oct 13-15 |
East Coast Throwdown | Fighting Games | Stamford, CT | Oct 20-22 |
SC Comicon Jr. | Comics | Greenville, SC | Oct 29 |
Winters Tide | Super Smash Bros | Asheville, NC | Dec 2 |
Gate City Grapple | Fighting Games | Greensboro, NC | Dec 4 |
Northeast Championship | Fighting Games | Cherry Hill, NJ | Dec 8-10 |
2025
Event | Event Type | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Setsucon | Anime | Altoona, PA | Jan 31-Feb 2 |
Genesis X2 | Super Smash Bros | San Jose, CA | Feb 14-16 |
CT GamerCon | Gaming | Uncasville, CT | Mar 15-16 |
SC Comicon | Comics | Greenville, SC | Apr 5-6 |
TouhouFest | Touhou | Torrance, CA | Jun 14-15 |
GalaxyCon Raleigh | Comics | Raleigh, NC | Jul 24-27 |
my work
Palette: Mika Pikazo Birthday Fanart Book
2024
Palette is an art book dedicated to Japanese Illustrator Mika Pikazo's original characters.Mika Pikazo is a well-renowned character designer who has worked for Apex Legends, Fire Emblem, Fate Grand/Order, Hololive, and Kaguya Luna. They are well-known for their masterful use of color and distinct art style, and have inspired numerous artists from across the world.I worked on recruitment, concept pitching, production, and organization on this project. I created a compiled listing of Pikazo's original characters spanning back a decade, with detailed descriptions and character traits to aid our team of 32 artists. I also assisted on early-stage concept planning, was consulted on zine production, and recruited artists for this tribute.Palette was finished in 2024 and personally delivered to Mika Pikazo.
Climax of Night x Spun Out Tees
2023
Climax of Night is the largest French Bread fighting game major in the world, and has gained a cult following of French Bread enthusiasts over the years.I worked with Spun Out to reissue their Tragic Mistress of Midnight's Hours tee, complete with front and back printing and an updated graphic. All production was handled by me.
Duelingbook 6th Anniversary Card Sleeves
2023
Duelingbook, the successor to Dueling Network, was the larget Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game simulator before the release of Master Duel. With over 6 million concurrent players, Duelingbook has been credited as one of the largest online resources for competitive Yu-Gi-Oh! players.I worked as an art sleeve designer for Duelingbook's 6th anniversary, and designed a series of elemental cosmetic card sleeves.
Nameless Gaming Jerseys
2022
Nameless Gaming is a Digimon Trading Card Game esports team that works alongside Luxury Gaming. They are one of the largest digital trading card game tournament organizers, with a player and fan base of over 10,000 participants.I worked on Nameless Gaming's jersey design for their upcoming Digimon TCG team and communicated with suppliers to create a seamless customizable jersey that scales up to fit all body types.
Playmakers Brand Design
2022
Playmakers is a Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game esports team.As Head Art Director, I was in charge of a complete rebrand for Playmakers. I handled contracts with manufacturers for two modern jerseys, and designed a new logo.The 2022 rebrand launched at the Yu-Gi-Oh! National Championship. Members of Playmakers placed within Top 64, reaching over 300,000 concurrent views online.
hello!
I'm Max, a Japanese illustrator from North Carolina!Prior to doing conventions, I spent two years at Parsons Paris studying fashion. Now, I use what I learned to make handmade apparel and art!I specialize in:
✦ fighting games
✦ super smash bros
✦ touhou
and original characters!
booth & merch photos
tees
All apparel is handmade by me- down to the ink formulas themselves.
I do not bring all of my apparel to events, and censor tees at family-friendly events.
hand fans
caps
KOFXV kabob charms
I have a DIY charm station with every character from KOFXV available!Search through the roster and select your mains, then put them on a wooden kabob stick and loop the key ring attachment to create your KOF team!* At events with KOF as a main/side game only.
stickers
keychains
< fate >
< granblue fantasy >
< guilty gear >
< melty blood >
< skullgirls >
< street fighter >
< super smash bros >
< tekken >
< touhou >
< under night in-birth >
2025
Event | Event Type | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Genesis X2 | SSB | CA | Feb 16-18 |
CT GamerCon | Gaming | CT | Mar 15-16 |
TouhouFest | Touhou | CA | Jun 14-15 |
2024
Event | Event Type | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|
RRG Gaming Pop Up Market | Gaming | NC | Feb 10 |
Genesis X | SSB | CA | Feb 16-18 |
RRG Hidden Block Party | Gaming | NC | Mar 3 |
Playthrough Gaming Convention | Gaming | NC | Mar 16-17 |
MAX MODE | FGC | GA | Mar 22-24 |
Stick Drift | SSB | VA | Apr 6 |
Texas Showdown | FGC | TX | Apr 26-28 |
TouhouFest | Touhou | CA | Apr 27-28 |
RRG Summer Expo | Gaming | NC | Jun 15 |
Patchwork | SSB | NC | Jul 6-7 |
EVO | FGC | NV | Jul 19-21 |
Defend the North | FGC | NY | Aug 2-4 |
DreamHack Atlanta | Gaming | GA | Oct 4-6 |
East Coast Throwdown | FGC | CT | Oct 11-13 |
Climax of Night | FGC | GA | Oct 25-27 |
2023
Event | Event Type | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Get Some Game Market | Gaming | NC | Jan 21 |
Camel City Collector's Con | Gaming | NC | Apr 15 |
Stick Drift | SSB | VA | Jun 17 |
Defend the North | FGC | NY | Jul 14-16 |
Patchwork | SSB | NC | Jul 15-16 |
Shine | SSB | MA | Aug 25-27 |
Summer Jam | FGC | NJ | Sep 1-3 |
Rise 'N Grind | SSB | TX | Oct 13-15 |
East Coast Throwdown | FGC | CT | Oct 20-22 |
Winters Tide | SSB | NC | Dec 2 |
Gate City Grapple | FGC | NC | Dec 4 |
Northeast Championship | FGC | NJ | Dec 8-10 |