A full-color comic brochure for Tokyo's Sannō Matsuri, a major festival of Akasaka Hie Shrine, has gone viral on X, leaving netizens baffled by its unexpectedly professional artwork. The buzz started when Japanese X user "あまろん（@uron_mogu3）" shared their astonishment after getting their hands on the brochure. They declared the art "absolutely not amateur," praising its smooth paneling—a stark contrast to the stiff feel of recent AI-generated art. From background perspective to centerline usage, everything screams "pro," making the user marvel at the incredible effort poured into the festival's promotion. 
With neither the brochure nor the official website crediting an artist, and the artwork being undeniably top-tier, netizens are speculating if a seasoned industry pro quietly contributed. It's not uncommon for renowned artists to lend their talents anonymously and pro bono to socially significant local promotional projects, often under the condition that their names remain undisclosed.
As the discussion heated up, Yohei Imoto, a representative from the production company, stepped forward to address the buzz. He revealed that the brochure was actually completed back in 2020, but the festival was canceled due to the pandemic. Seeing the work gain attention and positive feedback now has deeply moved him.
Regarding the artist's identity, which has been a hot topic among netizens, Imoto stated that the production company has permission to disclose this achievement. However, since he hasn't yet confirmed the artist's personal wishes, he's unsure if he can publicly reveal their name and has chosen to keep it under wraps for now. Imoto added that the artist is a brilliant talent who is also very active in the commercial art scene.
While the artist's identity remains a mystery for now, the brochure has undeniably succeeded in drawing more attention to the Sannō Matsuri itself and showcasing the incredible effort local festivals are putting into their promotional strategies!