Ken Elephant Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kenzo Ishiyama) announces that their "VINYL" gallery, operated within JR Tokyo Station's Gransta Tokyo, will host "The TOMODACHI! Solo Exhibition LIFE SIDE #01" from September 18 (Thursday) to October 1 (Wednesday), 2025. This special exhibition showcases works from The TOMODACHI!, an art toy production project by popular plush toy artist SIO.
First-Ever Soft Vinyl Figures Debut!
"The TOMODACHI! Solo Exhibition LIFE SIDE #01" is a collaborative project between popular plush toy artist SIO, who has 48,000 Instagram followers, and VINYL GALLERY operated by Ken Elephant. The exhibition captures the casual daily life of "The TOMODACHI!" characters, who seem like they could exist anywhere.
"The TOMODACHI!" is an art toy project that develops under the concept of "figured with fur," incorporating fragments of daily life and human presence into plush toys from a street photography perspective. Through exhibitions and collaborations both domestically and internationally, the project continues to expand new possibilities for plush toy expression.
For the first time, The TOMODACHI! series introduces soft vinyl figures (3 types total).
These products feature magnetic face parts that can be easily swapped. Additionally, customers who purchase at the directly operated VINYL store or KENELE STORE will receive a special "glow-in-the-dark face part" as a gift (※1).
At JR Tokyo Station, Japan's largest terminal station, visitors can experience a special journey through The TOMODACHI!'s captured daily moments.
Exhibition works will be available through online lottery sales during the exhibition period (with limited quantities of soft vinyl figures also available for in-store purchase). Please note that on the opening day, September 18 (Thursday), numbered tickets may be distributed to manage crowds and ensure safety.
For additional details about this exhibition, please check the official VINYL Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/vinylgallery_tokyo/).
※1: Limited quantities available. In-store items will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out.
Exhibition Overview
Title: "The TOMODACHI! Solo Exhibition LIFE SIDE #01"
Period: September 18 (Thursday) - October 1 (Wednesday), 2025
Venue: VINYL GALLERY (1F Gransta Tokyo, Tokyo Station, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005)
Artist: SIO
The TOMODACHI! is an art toy production project by plush toy artist SIO. Based on the concept of "figured with fur," the project captures fragments of daily life and human presence in plush toy media from a street photography perspective. Through domestic and international exhibitions and collaborations, it continues to expand new possibilities for plush toy expression.
・Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_tomodachi_/
About "LIFE SIDE #01"
In someone's mind, another person's day was beginning today. A slightly wrinkled T-shirt, an unexpectedly styled hairdo, breakfast left half-eaten. With blurred outlines, someone's presence quietly glows in the corner of the city today.
The "LIFE SIDE" exhibition series secretly observes and records these unnamed residents. Perhaps YOU might be the one on the other side of the lens.
Hours: Weekdays & Saturday 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM / Sunday & Final day of consecutive holidays 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM *Operating until 10:00 PM when the following day is a holiday *Free admission *Open throughout the exhibition period *Gallery space only closes at 7:00 PM on the final exhibition day, October 1 (Wednesday)
Exhibition Notes
Visiting on Opening Day On the opening day, September 18 (Thursday), numbered tickets may be distributed to manage crowds and ensure safety.
For other details about this exhibition, please check the official VINYL Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/vinylgallery_tokyo/).
Exhibition and Sales ・Exhibition works during the period (with limited soft vinyl figures available for in-store purchase) will be available through online lottery sales. ・For inquiries about this exhibition, please contact [email protected]. *Please note that inquiries cannot be handled at the VINYL store or by phone.
About VINYL
VINYL is a store that showcases "art that you don't quite understand, but can't help being curious about." Taking full advantage of its location within a train station, it aims to be the world's most interesting gallery, open year-round!
The TOMODACHI! Soft Vinyl Product Details
Products:
- #1 TOMODACHI! in Sweatshirt (center figure)
- #2 TOMODACHI! in Sweatshirt (right figure)
- #3 TOMODACHI! in Sweatshirt (left figure)
Scale/Size: Soft vinyl main body: H255×W245×D100mm Package: H270×W245×D105mm
Release Date: September 18, 2025 (Thursday) *Limited quantities available. In-store items will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out.
Price: ¥19,800 (tax included)
Materials: PVC (Soft Vinyl) Planning/Production Supervision: Nakakū Studio Country of Origin: China
About Ken Elephant Co., Ltd.
Address: 4F A&X Building, 2-1-14 Kandasan楽町, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0064 President: Kenzo Ishiyama Established: February 9, 2000 Business: Planning, manufacturing, and sales of capsule toys/miniature products; operation of art shops, studios, and publishing business, etc. Official Website: https://www.kenelephant.co.jp X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/kenelestaff Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenelephant2000/
