非首頁

DEHARA Yukinori Interview: The Genius Artist Who Turned a Washed-Up Old Man into a National Icon

► 中文版本請點此
► 日本語版はこちらへ

In the world of modern sofubi and art toys, Yukinori Dehara is undoubtedly one of the most important and unmissable creators. Centered around his signature character “Satoshi-kun,” Dehara continues to produce a wide range of three-dimensional works that blend humor with social satire, captivating fans all around the globe.

Starting with simple paper clay, his creative journey has expanded to include exhibitions in Tokyo, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles, and Paris. Throughout it all, he has remained true to his core philosophy: delivering “surprise” and “fun.” With his distinctive “heta-uma” (intentionally clumsy yet skillful) style, Dehara freely crosses boundaries between clay, sofubi, figures, and illustration—while also collaborating across various genres including film, animation, and advertising—building a truly unique world of sofubi art.

Last year, Dehara unveiled his first collaboration with the Hong Kong-based sofubi brand Kaiju One, a piece titled "DEHARA's Mazinger Z". This work reimagines the classic robot Mazinger Z through Dehara’s unique parody-driven lens, infused with a heavy dose of “loser old-man perspective.” Sitting in the cockpit is not a hot-blooded hero, but the familiar, tragically comical Satoshi-kun with his signature traits:

– On the front line of layoffs
– No place at work or home
– Ignored by his daughter for five years
– Shy, tearful, and awkward
– Loves hostess clubs (and always gets ripped off)

Combining elements of fiery robot action, sofubi craftsmanship, and the bittersweet soul of middle-aged life, this unexpected fusion has become a surprising and memorable chapter in Dehara’s career. In this interview, we dive into the story behind the creation of DEHARA’s Mazinger Z, and explore how this ever-playful artist from Kochi continues to push the boundaries of toy expression through the medium of sofubi.

TOY PEOPLE：What first inspired you to start creating with clay? Can you tell us about the starting point of your creative journey?

DEHARA：I’ve loved playing with clay since I was a child. I used to make a hero and a villain and have them fight each other. In the end, both of them would lose their arms and heads—it would all fall apart.

▼ Unlike many other designers, Yukinori Dehara consistently creates his works using paper clay. At times, he even shares videos of his creative process on Instagram.


TOY PEOPLE：
“Satoshi-kun” is widely considered your signature character. How did he come to be, and what was the original concept behind him?

DEHARA：
I was already drawing middle-aged men during art school, but when I was 25 and preparing for a solo exhibition, I decided to name the character “Satoshi-kun.” I’ve been creating him for the past 26 years.

▼ The very first Satoshi-kun created by Yukinori Dehara. Image credit:DEHARA.com



TOY PEOPLE：
Where do you usually get your inspiration from? Do you have any personal rituals or creative habits?

DEHARA：
I usually start by sketching, and then move on to making the figure. I enjoy observing people and watching movies. I think a lot of my inspiration comes from those things.


TOY PEOPLE：Could you walk us through your creative process? For example, when making “DEHARA’s Mazinger Z,” did you begin with a rough sketch, or was it more instinctual?

DEHARA：I usually sketch a few rough ideas before I start, but I don’t draw detailed three-view diagrams like professionals. I rely on a mix of intuition and the natural flow of the process.

▼ A sketch of “DEHARA’s Mazinger Z” drawn by Yukinori Dehara.


TOY PEOPLE：What’s your favorite part of “DEHARA’s Mazinger Z”?

DEHARA：I love robots made from sofubi. Even though they’re robots, they’re soft to the touch and feel nostalgic. That’s why my Mazinger Z isn’t very angular. I especially like the cockpit where Satoshi-kun is seated.


TOY PEOPLE：Do you remember the very first toy you ever made? What was the experience like?

DEHARA：My first piece was in 2000 for a Hong Kong design magazine called FLIPS4. It was Satoshi-kun holding a camera. It was made from resin, not sofubi, but I was thrilled by the idea of mass-producing my own figure.

▼The unique polystyrene foam packaging of FLIPS4 includes not only a resin figure of Satoshi-kun, but also a DVD and a magazine. Image credit:メルカリ


TOY PEOPLE：Out of all your creations so far, which one is your personal favorite? And which was the most memorable to make?

DEHARA：That would be Satoshi Yamamoto. He’s the character I’ve made for the longest time. I also have strong memories of the “IPPUN” and “HONBAN” characters, which I created for a project where the challenge was to sculpt a sofubi prototype in just one minute.

▼ Satoshi Yamamoto is one of Yukinori Dehara’s most iconic characters, and it has been released in a variety of forms and color variations. Image credit:AMAZON

▼ In 2024, Yukinori Dehara took on the “ONE TAKE, ONE MINUTE” challenge — a project where he sculpted a prototype in just one minute, with no further modifications allowed, and the piece was then produced exactly as it was.


TOY PEOPLE：Are there any famous people or artists you admire or draw inspiration from? Have they influenced your style?

DEHARA：I’ve been influenced by the illustrator Teruhiko Yumura. His work is known as heta-uma—intentionally clumsy but charming, like something drawn by a child.

▼ Teruhiko Yumura’s art book, Teruhiko Yumura Hit Parade. Image credit:Pay ID


TOY PEOPLE：You’re also a tourism ambassador for your hometown of Kochi. Has your hometown influenced your creative work?

DEHARA：I love Kochi. People there drink a lot, and it’s always lively. The sunlight is strong, so the colors of the plants and ocean stand out and are very vivid. That might be why I use such bright colors in my work.

▼ Deeply attached to his hometown of Kochi Prefecture, Yukinori Dehara has been appointed as a Kochi Tourism Ambassador and actively participates in promoting the region. Image credit:高知イーブックス


TOY PEOPLE：At last year’s Dorome Festival, you won by chugging a whole bottle of sake in 19.35 seconds! Has your love of sake influenced your art?

DEHARA：I love getting drunk, and I love watching drunk people. They make me feel a sense of freedom. There’s a lot of fresh sake in Kochi, so I drink often.

▼ On April 28, 2024, Yukinori Dehara participated in the “Large Sake Cup Chugging Contest” at the Dorome Festival held in Konan City, Kochi Prefecture. He impressively downed 1.8 liters of sake in just 19.35 seconds, earning a well-deserved victory. Image credit:高知イーブックス


TOY PEOPLE：Do you have a favorite work environment? Can you describe your studio?

DEHARA：I have studios in both Tokyo and Kochi. The Tokyo studio has a great view of the sky, while the Kochi studio is located right in a bar district. I like both of them.

Image credit:deharayukinori


TOY PEOPLE：You frequently participate in events in Taiwan. What’s your impression of Taiwan? Do you have any favorite spots or foods there?

DEHARA：I really like Taiwan—the food is great and the people are kind. I’m also happy to see that there are so many longtime fans of my figures there. I like going into unfamiliar restaurants without checking guidebooks. I usually end up ordering the wrong thing, but that’s fun too.

▼ At the 2023 TTF (Taipei Toy Festival), Yukinori Dehara photographed every fan who attended his signing event and shared the photos online. Image credit:deharayukinori


TOY PEOPLE：Besides your own creations, do you have any toy or art-related collections?

DEHARA：I love collecting movie flyers—though they’re not organized at all. I also collect contemporary works like air figures and sculptures from other artists.

Image credit:@deharayukinori


TOY PEOPLE：Aside from toy-making, do you have any other hobbies or interests you’re passionate about?

DEHARA：I enjoy watching movies, but more than anything, I love going out drinking with friends. I play basketball sometimes, too.


TOY PEOPLE：What do toys mean to you?

DEHARA：遊び! PLAY


Toy People is honored to release an exclusive Toy People Edition of “DEHARA’s Mazinger Z”, created by the talented Yukinori Dehara in collaboration with Kaiju One! The lottery entry will be opening soon—stay tuned and don’t miss the latest updates!

Check out Yukinori Dehara’s latest creations!
→ deharayukinori Instagram
→ DEHARA.COM

Don’t miss the newest product releases from Kaiju One!
→ kaiju_one Instagram
→ Kaiju One 公式Facebookページ