hello!

My portfolio is best viewed on a computer or desktop mode.

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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.

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stickers

I will not being stickers to conventions that do not allow them.

keychains

I have over 200 keychain designs and counting!

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past events

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Please click the button below to view past and upcoming events I have tabled at.

2024

EventEvent TypeLocationDate
Animate! RaleighAnimeRaleigh, NCJan 5-7
IchibanconAnimeConcord, NCJan 11-14
AP Anime Art MarketAnimeRaleigh, NCFeb 4
RRG Gaming Pop Up MarketGamingRaleigh, NCFeb 10
C&CC Mini-ConCosplayRaleigh, NCFeb 11
Genesis XSuper Smash BrosSan Jose, CAFeb 16-18
RRG Hidden Block PartyGamingRaleigh, NCMar 3
Playthrough Gaming ConventionGamingRaleigh, NCMar 16-17
MAX MODEFighting GamesNorcross, GAMar 22-24
Triad Anime ConAnimeWinston-Salem, NCMar 29-31
Stick DriftSuper Smash BrosHampton, VAApr 6
AP Anime Flea MarketAnimeRaleigh, NCApr 7
Texas ShowdownFighting GamesHouston, TXApr 26-28
Fayetteville Comic ConComicsFayetteville,NCApr 27-28
TouhouFestTouhouTorrance, CAApr 27-28
Anime CentralAnimeRosemont, ILMay 17-19
AnimazementAnimeRaleigh, NCMay 24-26
RRG Summer ExpoGamingRaleigh, NCJun 15
Pride Winston SalemLGBTQ+Winston-Salem, NCJun 22
Fredericksburg Comic ConComicsFredericksburg, VAJun 29
PatchworkSuper Smash BrosRaleigh, NCJul 6-7
BlerdConFandomCrystal City, VAJul 12-14
EVOFighting GamesLas Vegas, NVJul 19-21
Defend the NorthFighting GamesUniondale, NYAug 2-4
Queen City Anime ConventionAnimeCharlotte, NCAug 16-18
Soda City Comic ConComicsColumbia, SCAug 24-25
AP Anime Art MarketAnimeRaleigh, NCAug 25
Greensboro PrideLGBTQ+Greensboro, NCSep 22
DreamHack AtlantaGamingAtlanta, GAOct 4-6
East Coast ThrowdownFighting GamesHartford, CTOct 11-13
MoTownConAnimeMooresville, NCOct 19
Fayetteville Comic ConComicsFayetteville, NCOct 19-20
Climax of NightFighting GamesPeachtree Corners, GAOct 25-27
NekoconAnimeHampton Roads, VANov 1-3
Anime FredericksburgAnimeFredericksburg, VANov 16
Anime FrontierAnimeFort Worth, TXDec 6-8
Ocean City Comic ConComicsOcean City, MDDec 14-15

2023

EventEvent TypeLocationDate
Get Some Game MarketGamingCharlotte, NCJan 21
Camel City Collector's ConGamingWinston-Salem, NCApr 15
Tidewater ComiconComicsVirginia Beach, VAMay 20-21
Heroes ConComicsCharlotte, NCJun 16-18
Stick DriftSuper Smash BrosHampton, VAJun 17
Defend the NorthFighting GamesBrooklyn, NYJul 14-16
PatchworkSuper Smash BrosRaleigh, NCJul 15-16
HashtagConCosplayHerndon, VAJul 22
ShineSuper Smash BrosWorcestor, MAAug 25-27
Fairfax Comic ConComicsChantilly, VAAug 26-27
Summer JamFighting GamesCherry Hill, NJSep 1-3
Chemistry Queer Vendor MarketLGBTQ+Greensboro, NCSep 24
MoTownConAnimeMooresville, NCOct 7
Fayetteville Comic ConComicsFayetteville, NCOct 13-15
Rise 'N GrindSuper Smash BrosWaco, TXOct 13-15
East Coast ThrowdownFighting GamesStamford, CTOct 20-22
SC Comicon Jr.ComicsGreenville, SCOct 29
Winters TideSuper Smash BrosAsheville, NCDec 2
Gate City GrappleFighting GamesGreensboro, NCDec 4
Northeast ChampionshipFighting GamesCherry Hill, NJDec 8-10

2025

EventEvent TypeLocationDate
SetsuconAnimeAltoona, PAJan 31-Feb 2
Genesis X2Super Smash BrosSan Jose, CAFeb 14-16
CT GamerConGamingUncasville, CTMar 15-16
SC ComiconComicsGreenville, SCApr 5-6
TouhouFestTouhouTorrance, CAJun 14-15
GalaxyCon RaleighComicsRaleigh, NCJul 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!

My portfolio is best viewed on a computer or desktop mode.

.

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

I have over 200 keychain designs and counting!

.

< fate >

< granblue fantasy >

< guilty gear >

< melty blood >

< skullgirls >

< street fighter >

< super smash bros >

< tekken >

< touhou >

< under night in-birth >


2025

EventEvent TypeLocationDate
Genesis X2SSBCAFeb 16-18
CT GamerConGamingCTMar 15-16
TouhouFestTouhouCAJun 14-15

2024

EventEvent TypeLocationDate
RRG Gaming Pop Up MarketGamingNCFeb 10
Genesis XSSBCAFeb 16-18
RRG Hidden Block PartyGamingNCMar 3
Playthrough Gaming ConventionGamingNCMar 16-17
MAX MODEFGCGAMar 22-24
Stick DriftSSBVAApr 6
Texas ShowdownFGCTXApr 26-28
TouhouFestTouhouCAApr 27-28
RRG Summer ExpoGamingNCJun 15
PatchworkSSBNCJul 6-7
EVOFGCNVJul 19-21
Defend the NorthFGCNYAug 2-4
DreamHack AtlantaGamingGAOct 4-6
East Coast ThrowdownFGCCTOct 11-13
Climax of NightFGCGAOct 25-27

2023

EventEvent TypeLocationDate
Get Some Game MarketGamingNCJan 21
Camel City Collector's ConGamingNCApr 15
Stick DriftSSBVAJun 17
Defend the NorthFGCNYJul 14-16
PatchworkSSBNCJul 15-16
ShineSSBMAAug 25-27
Summer JamFGCNJSep 1-3
Rise 'N GrindSSBTXOct 13-15
East Coast ThrowdownFGCCTOct 20-22
Winters TideSSBNCDec 2
Gate City GrappleFGCNCDec 4
Northeast ChampionshipFGCNJDec 8-10