For those who do not know about you, please introduce yourself.
My name is Dai Tamura, and I am an illustration artist specializing in portraits. I won the Caricature World Championship in 2016 and have over 150,000 followers on Instagram. I have collaborated with luxury brands such as HUBLOT and FENDI, as well as Porsche, and have an extensive track record of partnerships with internationally renowned brands and celebrities — including BTS member Jungkook, who shared my work on his social media.
How did you discover the laws of art?
I have loved drawing since I was very young — I was always doodling during class. I still remember being amazed when an older student drew a Dragon Ball character on the blackboard when I was in first grade. I have never formally studied art, so everything I know is self-taught. Because of that, I am still out there every day searching for the answers when it comes to rules and principles.
What was your inspiration for wanting to become an artist?
It was a dream I had held since childhood — one I thought would never come true, but could never bring myself to give up. When job hunting season arrived in university, I made the decision not to pursue a conventional career and instead committed to becoming an artist. When I imagined spending my life doing work I had no passion for, sneaking in doodles whenever I could, it felt unbearable. That feeling gave me the courage to take the leap.
What are the challenges of being an artist?
Continuing to set a new personal best every single day. It is a constant battle with yourself, and you have to keep winning it.
How have you gotten noticed so far?
Many celebrities have shared my work on Instagram. They were able to reach audiences I never could have reached on my own, and those posts opened doors to people discovering me for the first time.
How do you come up with collaborations with well-known athletes?
I receive requests from sports brands, health food companies, sports teams, and their sponsors. When they feature my work prominently in advertising and other public-facing spaces, it raises my profile and leads to new opportunities.
What is your main inspiration when working with talents in the sports industry?
They are also striving to set a new personal best every single day. That shared drive absolutely gives me energy.
Is sports the only thing you're focused on, or are you open to other ideas for art?
I have drawn many sports cars through my collaboration with Porsche, and when I held an exhibition at one of Japan's most iconic temples, I created 30 pieces centered on nature. I have drawn musicians, animals, and much more. The range of subjects I can draw is limitless, so I want to keep exploring new genres and taking on new challenges.
How do you begin initiating collaborations?
I almost never make the first approach. Instead, I focus on building my brand in a way that makes clients want to come to me. That means continuing to grow both my own value and the value of my work, every single day.
Who has been an inspiration to you when it comes to art?
The many manga series I read as a child. More than just following the stories, I spent a lot of time copying and recreating artwork from all kinds of series.
Is there an athlete or artist you have been especially proud to work with?
I have deep respect for every single person I have drawn, and I take pride in every piece I have created. If even one of those experiences were missing, I would not be who I am today.
Can you describe your drawing style and how it has evolved over time?
I won the Caricature World Championship in 2016 — a result that took three attempts and drawing 30,000 people professionally before I finally achieved it. My style back then was rooted in exaggeration. But when I went independent and began focusing on athletes, I found there was absolutely no need to exaggerate them at all. I left all my trophies and plaques behind and completely reinvented my style into what it is today — cool, realistic portraits with no exaggeration whatsoever. It was a bold decision, but it was the right one.
My goal is to keep growing within the broader journey of life — that is what drives me.
What mediums are you most comfortable working with?
I draw by hand using oil-based markers.
How do you approach proportions and anatomy in your drawings?
I always start from the skeleton rather than the surface. That foundation in caricature — where exaggeration demands a strong understanding of anatomy — has really stayed with me.
Can you walk us through your creative process from concept to final piece?
I approach every subject as a superhero. I imagine them unleashing their ultimate move, and I try to capture the single moment when their energy is at its absolute peak.
How do you handle shading, perspective, and composition? Do you prefer traditional or digital drawing, and why?
Traditional, without question. The rise of AI image generation tools is actually a tailwind for me. The work that comes through my hand, through my unique filter as an artist — that is something that cannot be replicated. It is one of a kind.
Your art resembles the style seen in Slam Dunk — was this part of your inspiration, or is it simply a coincidence?
It is the viewer's assumption. The moment people see a hand-drawn basketball image, many instinctively think of Slam Dunk. I am genuinely flattered by the comparison, but that is really all there is to it.
Are you open to working with talents outside of the sports industry?
I will continue to draw all kinds of people who are out there shining as superheroes in their own fields.
What can readers look forward to seeing next?
Watch me forge a path where no artist has gone before. I want people to follow along as I take on challenges in uncharted territory. I am going to become an artist who represents the world.
Would you be interested in focusing on more nature or agriculture-inspired art?
I have already created works featuring fire, trees, water, and other elements of nature, and have exhibited them publicly. I find that kind of expression deeply meaningful as part of my work as an artist.
What about street art?
It is a style I could never pull off myself, so I have nothing but respect for the people who do it.
Do you have an online store where people can purchase your art?
I'm sorry, I don't. I do accept orders from people who are referred to me or who have some kind of personal connection to my work.
Where can people find you? Please share your website and social media.
You can find me on Instagram at daitamura, and my website is https://dt-ltd.tokyo
