Kosuke Hayashi
Biography
Kosuke Hayashi
Art Director and Background Artist
Born in 1984 in Toyama, Japan, Kosuke Hayashi studied traditional Japanese painting (Nihonga) at the University of Tsukuba, graduating in 2008. Today, he works at Studio Ghibli and is widely recognized for his commitment to hand-painted techniques in an industry that has largely shifted to digital production.
Using poster color and brush on paper, Hayashi’s work is celebrated for its material richness, tonal subtlety, and painterly atmosphere. His unique approach brings depth and emotion to the animated worlds he helps create.
In 2025, Hayashi received the Nippon Rising Star Award at the Nippon Connection Film Festival in Frankfurt, acknowledging both his achievements in animation and his growing recognition as a visual artist.
Alongside his commissioned work for animated films, Hayashi also creates personal paintings. These one-of-a-kind pieces are often made during or parallel to his work in film production. As such, they resonate closely with the visual language of anime backgrounds. His personal and professional works inform each other, resulting in a body of art that reflects both his evolving technique and individual voice.
Professional Experience
2008 – J.C.STAFF Art Department
2011 – Inspired Inc.
2014 – Freelance background artist
2016 – Deho Gallery
2023 – Present: Studio Ghibli
As Art Director
– Giovanni’s Island (2014)
– In This Corner of the World (2016)
– The Invisible Man (2018)
– In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World (2019)
– Tomorrow’s Leaves (2020)
– The Imaginary (2023)
As Background Artist
– When Marnie Was There (2014)
– The Boy and the Beast (2015)
– Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017)
– Children of the Sea (2019)
– Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)
– The Boy and the Heron (2023)
– Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window (2023)
Available artwork
Riekeles Gallery is proud to present not only high-quality solegraphs and a new fine art poster edition, but also — for the first time — original artworks by Kosuke Hayashi. These rare and intimate works offer a glimpse into the artistic vision behind some of the most acclaimed films in recent animation history.
Exclusively Published by Riekeles Gallery: Limited to 25 copies, each hand-signed and numbered by Kosuke Hayashi.
Officially Licensed by Studio Ghibli: Produced with full approval by Studio Ghibli. A stamp of authenticity appears on the reverse of each print.
Solegraph Printing Technique: A refined Japanese printing method known for its precision, depth, and delicate tonal transitions.
Produced in Japan: Developed in close collaboration with the artist using high-resolution scans of the original painting to ensure full fidelity.
Archival Quality: Printed with fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free paper to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the artwork.
Artwork Size: 27 × 38 cm (10.6 × 15 inches)
Print Size: 37 × 48 cm (14.6 × 18.9 inches), printed on Radiant White 270 g/m² archival-quality paper
Frame Size (optional): 40 × 50 cm (15.7 × 19.7 inches) including white matting and solid oak frame
Framing Options:
Shown here with optional framing in solid oak:
Frame size: 40 × 50 cm
Mat: Pure White
Glass: Plexiglas UV 90, 3 mm clear
Frame width: 23 mm, depth: 32 mm
Please contact us for alternative options regarding colors, materials and glasses.
Note: For shipping only acrylic glasses are available.
Exclusively Published by Riekeles Gallery: Limited to 25 copies, each hand-signed and numbered by Kosuke Hayashi.
Officially Licensed by Studio Ghibli: Produced with full approval by Studio Ghibli. A stamp of authenticity appears on the reverse of each print.
Solegraph Printing Technique: A refined Japanese printing method known for its precision, depth, and delicate tonal transitions.
Produced in Japan: Developed in close collaboration with the artist using high-resolution scans of the original painting to ensure full fidelity.
Archival Quality: Printed with fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free paper to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the artwork.
Artwork Size: 27 × 38 cm (10.6 × 15 inches)
Print Size: 37 × 48 cm (14.6 × 18.9 inches), printed on Radiant White 270 g/m² archival-quality paper
Frame Size (optional): 40 × 50 cm (15.7 × 19.7 inches) including white matting and solid oak frame
Framing Options:
Shown here with optional framing in solid oak:
Frame size: 40 × 50 cm
Mat: Pure White
Glass: Plexiglas UV 90, 3 mm clear
Frame width: 23 mm, depth: 32 mm
Please contact us for alternative options regarding colors, materials and glasses.
Note: For shipping only acrylic glasses are available.
Exclusively Published by Riekeles Gallery: Limited to 25 copies, each hand-signed and numbered by Kosuke Hayashi.
Officially Licensed by Studio Ghibli: Produced with full approval by Studio Ghibli. A stamp of authenticity appears on the reverse of each print.
Solegraph Printing Technique: A refined Japanese printing method known for its precision, depth, and delicate tonal transitions.
Produced in Japan: Developed in close collaboration with the artist using high-resolution scans of the original painting to ensure full fidelity.
Archival Quality: Printed with fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free paper to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the artwork.
Artwork Size: 27 × 38 cm (10.6 × 15 inches)
Print Size: 37 × 48 cm (14.6 × 18.9 inches), printed on Radiant White 270 g/m² archival-quality paper
Frame Size (optional): 40 × 50 cm (15.7 × 19.7 inches) including white matting and solid oak frame
Framing Options:
Shown here with optional framing in solid oak:
Frame size: 40 × 50 cm
Mat: Pure White
Glass: Plexiglas UV 90, 3 mm clear
Frame width: 23 mm, depth: 32 mm
Please contact us for alternative options regarding colors, materials and glasses.
Note: For shipping only acrylic glasses are available.
Playing time (2018)
Original artwork by Kosuke Hayashi
Watercolor and poster color on paper
Artwork size: 23 × 34.5 cm
Optional frame size: 40 × 50 cm (oak wood with white mat)
Playing time is an original painting by Kosuke Hayashi, created in 2018 using transparent watercolor and Nicker Poster Color on paper. Subtle in tone and rich in atmosphere, this work showcases the artist’s refined sense of light and composition — qualities that also define his celebrated background art for Japanese animation.
Kosuke Hayashi is currently part of the background team at Studio Ghibli, where he contributed to The Boy and the Heron (2023) among other acclaimed films. His original works, like Playing time, offer a glimpse into the painterly thinking behind these cinematic worlds.
The artwork is available with optional framing in a 40 × 50 cm oak wood frame. The white mat slightly overlaps the edges of the paper, covering a 2–3 cm border that may reveal traces of tape or gentle irregularities — visible signs of its handcrafted creation process.
A one-of-a-kind piece, Playing time is a rare opportunity to acquire an original painting by one of the most distinctive artists working in the field of Japanese animation today.
Please contact us for framing options or shipping inquiries.
Cycle (2018)
Original artwork by Kosuke Hayashi
Watercolor and poster color on paper
Artwork size: 24 × 35 cm
Optional frame size: 40 × 50 cm (oak wood with white mat)
Cycle is an original painting by Kosuke Hayashi, created in 2018 using transparent watercolor and Nicker Poster Color on paper. The artwork exemplifies Hayashi’s delicate painterly style, which draws on traditional animation background techniques while standing on its own as a deeply personal piece.
Each of Hayashi’s original works is painted by hand on paper, typically around 27 × 39 cm in size. Cycle measures 24 × 35 cm and is available with optional framing in a 40 × 50 cm oak wood frame. The white mat slightly overlaps the edges of the paper, covering a 2–3 cm border that may include subtle traces of tape or irregularities from the painting process — visible marks of its handmade origin.
This is a one-of-a-kind artwork, offering a rare opportunity to collect an original painting by one of today’s most celebrated background artists working at Studio Ghibli.
Please contact us for framing options or shipping inquiries.
Please kindly note that the artwork will remain at the gallery as part of the exhibition and will be shipped after 5 October 2025.
They all are ready to go (2025)
Original artwork by Kosuke Hayashi
Watercolor and poster color on paper
Artwork size: 26.4 × 33.4 cm
Optional frame size: 40 × 50 cm (oak wood with white mat)
Painted in 2025, They all are ready to go is a recent original work by Kosuke Hayashi, one of Japan’s leading background artists and currently part of Studio Ghibli. Known for his painterly technique using watercolor and Nicker Poster Color, Hayashi creates emotionally resonant worlds with remarkable precision and depth.
This piece was painted on paper traditionally fixed with tape to a drawing board — a method used to keep the paper flat while working wet. As a result, some outer edges may appear slightly irregular or show traces of the tape. These are partially covered by the white mat in the optional 40 × 50 cm oak frame, leaving the artwork’s focus beautifully intact.
As with all of Hayashi’s personal works, this painting offers a rare glimpse into the visual language that informs his animation background art. It stands as an individual artistic expression, while also reflecting the atmosphere and craft of his cinematic work.
Please kindly note that the artwork will remain at the gallery as part of the exhibition and will be shipped after 5 October 2025.
There are so many beautiful words (2018)
Original artwork by Kosuke Hayashi
Watercolor and poster color on paper
Artwork size: 27.4 × 39.0 cm
Optional frame size: 40 × 50 cm (oak wood with white mat)
There are so many beautiful words is an original painting by Kosuke Hayashi, created in 2018 using transparent watercolor and Nicker Poster Color on paper. The artwork exemplifies Hayashi’s delicate painterly style, which draws on traditional animation background techniques while standing on its own as a deeply personal piece.
Each of Hayashi’s original works is painted by hand on paper. There are so many beautiful words measures 27.4 × 39.0 cm and is available with optional framing in a 40 × 50 cm oak wood frame. The white mat slightly overlaps the edges of the paper, covering a 2–3 cm border that may include subtle traces of tape or irregularities from the painting process — visible marks of its handmade origin.
This is a one-of-a-kind artwork, offering a rare opportunity to collect an original painting by one of today’s most celebrated background artists working at Studio Ghibli.
Please contact us for framing options or shipping inquiries.
I want to sing for you (2024)
Original artwork by Kosuke Hayashi
Watercolor and poster color on paper
Artwork size: 24 × 35 cm
Optional frame size: 40 × 50 cm (oak wood with white mat)
Painted in 2024, I want to sing for you is an original work by Kosuke Hayashi, created with transparent watercolor and Nicker Poster Color on paper. Hayashi’s mastery of light, texture, and subtle emotional tone is on full display in this piece, reflecting his deep connection to the hand-painted tradition of Japanese animation.
Currently working at Studio Ghibli, Hayashi contributed to The Boy and the Heron (2023) and other major films. His original works — created independently but alongside his film work — offer insight into the artistic world that informs his animation backgrounds.
The paper was mounted with tape during painting to prevent warping while wet. As a result, the outer edges may show slight irregularities or traces of mounting tape, which are partially covered by the mat when framed. The work is offered with optional framing in a 40 × 50 cm oak wood frame with a white mat that overlaps the edges by approximately 2–3 cm.
This unique piece is part of a rare collection of original artworks by one of Japan’s leading background artists. Please contact us for details on framing and shipping.
Exclusively Published by Riekeles Gallery: Limited to 10 copies, each hand-signed and numbered by Kosuke Hayashi.
Officially Licensed: Produced with full approval by studio, licencor and director Sunao Katabuchi.
Solegraph Printing Technique: A refined Japanese printing method known for its precision, depth, and delicate tonal transitions.
Produced in Japan: Developed in close collaboration with the artist using high-resolution scans of the original painting to ensure full fidelity.
Archival Quality: Printed with fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free paper to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the artwork.
Artwork Size: 26 × 36 cm (10.2 × 14.1 inches)
Print Size: 37 × 48 cm (14.6 × 18.9 inches), printed on Radiant White 270 g/m² archival-quality paper
Frame Size (optional): 40 × 50 cm (15.7 × 19.7 inches) including white matting and solid oak frame
Framing Options:
Shown here with optional framing in solid oak:
Frame size: 40 × 50 cm
Mat: Pure White
Glass: Plexiglas UV 90, 3 mm clear
Frame width: 23 mm, depth: 32 mm
Please contact us for alternative options regarding colors, materials and glasses.
Note: For shipping only acrylic glasses are available.
Exclusively Published by Riekeles Gallery: Limited to 10 copies, each hand-signed and numbered by Kosuke Hayashi.
Officially Licensed: Produced with full approval by studio, licencor and director Sunao Katabuchi.
Solegraph Printing Technique: A refined Japanese printing method known for its precision, depth, and delicate tonal transitions.
Produced in Japan: Developed in close collaboration with the artist using high-resolution scans of the original painting to ensure full fidelity.
Archival Quality: Printed with fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free paper to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the artwork.
Artwork Size: 26 × 36 cm (10.2 × 14.1 inches)
Print Size: 37 × 48 cm (14.6 × 18.9 inches), printed on Radiant White 270 g/m² archival-quality paper
Frame Size (optional): 40 × 50 cm (15.7 × 19.7 inches) including white matting and solid oak frame
Framing Options:
Shown here with optional framing in solid oak:
Frame size: 40 × 50 cm
Mat: Pure White
Glass: Plexiglas UV 90, 3 mm clear
Frame width: 23 mm, depth: 32 mm
Please contact us for alternative options regarding colors, materials and glasses.
Note: For shipping only acrylic glasses are available.
Comment by Stefan Riekeles: This scene depicts the rural landscape close to Hiroshima at the end of the Second World War. The original background consists of two layers to create cinematic depth. For our Solegraph edition we reproduced both layers – so each set comes with two prints that can be framed together. Though created for animation, this painting unfolds a powerful presence on the gallery wall - and in your living room.
Exclusively Published by Riekeles Gallery: Limited to 10 copies, each hand-signed and numbered by Kosuke Hayashi.
Officially Licensed: Produced with full approval by studio, licencor and director Sunao Katabuchi.
Solegraph Printing Technique: A refined Japanese printing method known for its precision, depth, and delicate tonal transitions.
Produced in Japan: Developed in close collaboration with the artist using high-resolution scans of the original painting to ensure full fidelity.
Archival Quality: Printed with fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free paper to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the artwork.
This reproduction consists of two individual prints. The original production background was created as a paper “book” (layers) which we reproduced with great fidelity.
Artwork Size: 26 × 36 cm (10.2 × 14.1 inches)
Print Size: 37 × 48 cm (14.6 × 18.9 inches), printed on Radiant White 270 g/m² archival-quality paper
Frame Size (optional): 40 × 50 cm (15.7 × 19.7 inches) including white matting and solid oak frame
Framing Options:
Shown here with optional framing in solid oak:
Frame size: 40 × 50 cm
Mat: Pure White
Glass: Plexiglas UV 90, 3 mm clear
Frame width: 23 mm, depth: 32 mm
Please contact us for alternative options regarding colors, materials and glasses.
Note: For shipping only acrylic glasses are available.
Comment by Stefan Riekeles: “This image depicts a view of Hiroshima after the atomic bomb. In the foreground stands the building that serves as a memorial to this tragedy today. Despite the ostensible destruction, the scene does not appear bleak. Light from the low sun in the background floods the city, filling it with brightness.
Kosuke Hayashi’s unique talent for portraying light as a fleeting substance lends the work its painterly intensity. The contrast between the ruined city and the sorrowful thoughts it evokes, and the radiant light that seems to suggest hope, creates a striking tension. It is for this reason that I selected the work for reproduction as a limited solegraph edition.”
Exclusively Published by Riekeles Gallery: Limited to 10 copies, each hand-signed and numbered by Kosuke Hayashi.
Officially Licensed: Produced with full approval by studio, licencor and director Sunao Katabuchi.
Solegraph Printing Technique: A refined Japanese printing method known for its precision, depth, and delicate tonal transitions.
Produced in Japan: Developed in close collaboration with the artist using high-resolution scans of the original painting to ensure full fidelity.
Archival Quality: Printed with fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free paper to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the artwork.
Artwork Size: 22.5 × 60.5 cm (8.9 × 23.8 inches)
Print Size: 37 × 75 cm (14.6 × 29.5 inches), printed on Radiant White 270 g/m² archival-quality paper
Frame Size (optional): 40 × 78 cm (15.7 × 30.7 inches) including white matting and solid oak frame
Framing Options:
Shown here with optional framing in solid oak:
Frame size: 40 × 78 cm
Mat: Pure White
Glass: Plexiglas UV 90, 3 mm clear
Frame width: 23 mm, depth: 32 mm
Please contact us for alternative options regarding colors, materials and glasses.
Note: For shipping only acrylic glasses are available.
