An immersive art exhibition titled "Paradise of Kaiju" (かいじゅうたちの楽園) is set to open at Ginza Tsutaya Books' art space FOAM CONTEMPORARY from April 10 to April 28, 2026. The exhibition features immersive video installations co-produced by AiHUB Inc. and Metafield Inc., with a team of 13 current students and alumni from the Tokyo University of the Arts.
The exhibition centers on the world of Ultra Kaiju as envisioned by artist Chihiro Nakahara. Her original artwork has been brought to life by a team of young creators who animated the characters with their own interpretations and techniques. Using AI as an expressive tool while maintaining each artist's individual voice, the team produced "animated art works" projected across a three-screen installation space.
Highlights
- 13 Next-Generation Creators: A team of students and graduates from the Tokyo University of the Arts meticulously animated each character's movements and spatial direction.
- Immersive Experience: A large-scale three-screen projection installation evokes the sensation of being drawn into the paradise depicted by Nakahara — free to view.
- AI × Craftsmanship: An efficient, high-quality video generation process powered by AI was introduced while preserving the hand-drawn texture of the original artwork.
Chihiro Nakahara, Garden of Rainbows, Wisdom, and Play ©Tsuburaya Productions — The basis for the large-scale three-screen video installation
Exhibition Details
Dates: April 10 (Fri) – April 28 (Tue), 2026
Venue: Ginza Tsutaya Books (GINZA SIX 6F, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Art Space: FOAM CONTEMPORARY
Contents (planned):
- Multiple original paintings by Chihiro Nakahara
- Conceptual materials from Tsuburaya Productions
- Immersive video installation experience
- Original merchandise sales
Production Credits
- Original Artwork: Chihiro Nakahara
- Video Production: AiHUB Inc.
- Supervision: Tsuburaya Productions, Chihiro Nakahara
- Cooperation: CCC ARTLAB
- Planning & General Production: Metafield Inc.
Comments from Those Involved
Artist, Chihiro Nakahara
"My paintings have moved for the first time, and I am deeply moved. Through repeated dialogue with the 13 members of the Tokyo University of the Arts, being able to encounter their ten-different-colored ideas was a brilliant experience. Having the work brought to life through video, the 'Paradise of Kaiju' has become far larger and wider than I had imagined — I feel as though they are surely living somewhere."
Masahiro Onda, Production Division, Tsuburaya Productions
"The kaiju appeared in the gentle world imagined by Chihiro Nakahara, resonated with the members of the Tokyo University of the Arts, and were breathed with new life. Each carrying their own individuality, the kaiju that began to move dissolved into the passing of time, creating a scene of ineffable charm that envelops all who visit. I am truly grateful to all the staff, including AiHUB, for creating a space where we can catch a glimpse of the unknown forms of kaiju living freely through a chain of imagination."
Mitsuko Okamoto, Professor, Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts
"The word 'animation' etymologically means 'to breathe life into.' In this video, the kaiju radiate a presence as if they are truly alive. While much of the movement was generated by AI, it was the creators — including those from the Tokyo University of the Arts — who breathed life into them by understanding each kaiju's individuality and story and pursuing their movements. A 'co-created' work with a gentle worldview, born from the meeting of human imagination and AI technology, is now complete."
About Ultra Kaiju
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Ultraman Series. "Ultra Kaiju" is the collective term for the diverse monsters, aliens, and robots that appear throughout the series. Rather than being mere adversaries, each carries its own story and has added depth to the works through their compelling designs. As another kind of protagonist, they have long remained in the hearts of many viewers and continue to be beloved to this day.
This collaboration was realized as part of the partnership between AiHUB and Metafield announced in March 2025.
