The Seizo Watase Exhibition "Heartful Autumn" (わたせせいぞう展 ハートフルなオータム) takes place at the 8th floor event space of the main building of Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin. The show presents original artwork from Watase's signature series Heart Cocktail (ハートカクテル), along with a wide range of his works from nostalgic pieces of the 1980s to the present. A new print depicting Fukuhaku Deai Bridge will go on sale at the venue ahead of general release, and Watase himself will take part in signing sessions during the exhibition. A limited special project also lets customers become the main characters of an original artwork.
Watase has continued to depict universal themes such as romance and the excitement of life while vividly reflecting the mood of each era. The exhibition invites visitors to enjoy his colorful, romantic world in Tenjin, Fukuoka.
Exhibition Highlights
- Display of works including original Heart Cocktail artwork
- Unveiling of the newly drawn work "Heartful Bridge" (ハートフル ブリッジ)
- Sale of framed prints, art posters and more, centered on works from the 1980s to the present
- Sale of more than 50 art works and related items, including the new work
- Signing sessions with Seizo Watase
- Special project: "A Heart Cocktail Just for the Two of You, Drawn by Seizo Watase" (わたせせいぞうが描く『おふたりだけのハートカクテル』)
From Heart Cocktail to Recent Works
Heart Cocktail, Watase's signature work, began serialization in the magazine Weekly Morning in 1983. Portraying the love lives and daily lives of people living in the city through stylish, colorful illustrations and short stories, it gained wide support.
The exhibition is scheduled to include works such as the cover of Heart Cocktail volume 1 (1984) and an illustration from "Wing Tip no Chugen" (ウイングチップの忠言, 1988), as well as recent works such as the August illustration of "Nito Koyomi" (二都こよみ, 2025). Running through the works are the fashion and cityscapes of each period, and the feeling of thinking of someone special that does not fade even after decades.
Heart Cocktail volume 1 cover (1984)
From Heart Cocktail "Wing Tip no Chugen" (1988)
Nito Koyomi, August illustration (2025)
New Print "Heartful Bridge" on Sale at the Venue First
At the venue, a variety of items are on sale, including framed prints, art posters, illustration collections, calendars, mini canvases, clear folders and postcards. A new print set at Fukuhaku Deai Bridge goes on sale at the venue ahead of general release.
New Print (Venue-Exclusive Early Sale)
- Title: "Heartful Bridge" (ハートフル ブリッジ)
- Limited quantity: 200 prints
- Technique: Giclée
- Size: Approx. 500 x 600 mm
- Price: ¥88,000 (tax included)
"Heartful Bridge," newly drawn for this exhibition, is set at Fukuhaku Deai Bridge (福博であい橋) in Nakasu, Fukuoka. At this spot, which links Fukuoka and Hakata across the Naka River, Watase's refined depiction of people, the sparkle of the city and a heartwarming sense of story come together. It is a new view of Fukuoka's scenery that visitors can see at the venue.
Examples of Items on Sale
- Print "Futari no Seaside Story in Momochi" (ふたりのシーサイドストーリー in ももち): 450 x 540 mm / ¥88,000 (tax included)
- Print "Hajimari wa Itsumo Passage" (始まりはいつもパサージュ): 605 x 485 mm / ¥88,000 (tax included)
- Illustration collection "COLORFUL": ¥3,300 (tax included)
- Illustration collection "SEIZO ROMANCE": ¥9,900 (tax included)
- 2027 wall calendar: 500 x 500 mm / ¥2,860 (tax included)
- 2027 desk calendar: 160 x 162 mm / ¥1,540 (tax included)
- Mini canvas: F0 size / ¥3,300 each (tax included)
- A4 clear folder: ¥385 each (tax included)
- Postcard: ¥165 each (tax included)
Special Projects
1. Signing Sessions With Seizo Watase and Live Music by the Jeunesse Band
Seizo Watase will attend special signing sessions in person. Live music by the Jeunesse Band (ジュネスバンド) is also planned during the sessions.
- Dates: Saturday, November 7 and Saturday, November 14, 2026, each day from 1:00 PM
- Requirements: From 10:00 AM on the day of the session, time-slotted numbered tickets are distributed at the venue to the first 100 customers who purchase ¥3,000 or more (tax included).
- How to join: Bring your purchased item and numbered ticket to the signing venue at the designated time.
Notes:
- Watase will sign one purchased item per person.
- Customers who purchase a framed work to be delivered at a later date will have their signature added to a shikishi (square art board).
- Please check the venue and official announcements for the dates and times of the signing sessions.
2. A One-of-a-Kind Artwork: "A Heart Cocktail Just for the Two of You" (Limited to 5 Groups)
In a newly drawn work, the customer appears as the main character. Based on photos that participants bring, Watase will draw a Heart Cocktail world meant just for the two of them. It is a special opportunity, limited to 5 groups, to keep memories with a loved partner or family as a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
- Technique: Giclée print
- Size: Approx. 500 x 600 mm
- Price: ¥550,000 (tax included)
- Number of groups: Limited to 5 groups
- Application period: Wednesday, October 21 to Monday, November 9, 2026
- How to apply: Fill in the required details on the application form at the 8th floor event space of the main building of Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin and drop it into the application box.
- Requirements: Applicants must be able to attend the consultation session. Between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 14, 2026, the content of the artwork will be confirmed based on the photos you bring (about 15 minutes).
- Planned delivery: Around June 2027
Notes:
- Up to 2 people can be depicted in the artwork.
- If there are many applicants, winners will be chosen by lottery.
- Please ask the venue staff for details.
About Seizo Watase
Photo by Mariko Tagashira
Seizo Watase was born in Kobe in 1945 and spent his childhood through young adulthood in Kokura, Kitakyushu. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Waseda University, he began creating manga while working as a company employee.
In 1983, he began serializing his signature work Heart Cocktail in Weekly Morning. Beyond its publication as books, it was adapted into anime and TV dramas, and became hugely popular as a romance bible for young people of the time.
His distinctive, colorful illustrations are also highly regarded as works of art, and he has produced work in a wide range of fields, including corporate advertising posters such as those for JR East's "Otona no Kyujitsu Club" and CD jackets.
In 2023, he drew attention with a serialized column in the Nishinippon Shimbun's "Kikigaki" corner and with the broadcast of the new anime Heart Cocktail Colorful on NHK General TV. In 2024, he marked the 50th anniversary of his career as an artist and appeared on TV Tokyo's "Shin Bi no Kyojintachi." He serves as honorary director of the Kitakyushu Manga Museum and received the Kitakyushu Citizen Honor Award (北九州市民栄誉賞) in February 2026.
Venue and Access
- Venue: 8th floor event space, main building, Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin (1-4-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture 810-8717)
- Access: Nishitetsu Bus "Nishitetsu Bus Terminal-mae" stop; Subway Nanakuma Line "Tenjin-minami Station"
Notes for Visitors
- All displayed prices include tax.
- Framed dimensions are approximate.
- The color and texture of actual items may differ from the product photos.
- Items may be changed or withdrawn from sale, and events may be canceled or changed, due to unavoidable circumstances.
- For the latest information, please check the venue website.
