Toyo Institute of Art and Design (Shinjuku, Tokyo) will host a special lecture, “The Art of Drawing Cute and Captivating,” on June 21, 2026 (Sun), inviting illustrator Suimya—who created the character designs for popular VTubers such as Nekozuki Mio and Watamiya Ahiru—as the lecturer. Held in a talk-and-live-painting format, the lecture is free with advance reservation required, and is aimed mainly at high school students and prospective vocational-school applicants.

A Special Lecture in a Talk & Live-Painting Format

This special lecture, “The Art of Drawing Cute and Captivating — A Special Lecture by Suimya,” will be held in a format combining talk and live painting. It starts at 13:30 on June 21, 2026 (Sun) (doors open 13:00), at Toyo Institute of Art and Design—a 5-minute walk from Akebonobashi Station (Toei Shinjuku Line) Exit A2, or a 10-minute walk from Yotsuya-sanchome Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line) Exit 2.

It is open to high school students, graduates, and prospective vocational-school applicants, and admission is free. Reservations are accepted in advance via the event page on the school’s official site. It promises to be a valuable chance to see a professional’s production process up close.

The Lecturer Is Suimya, the “Mama” of Popular VTubers

The lecturer, Suimya, works as an illustrator, VTuber character designer, and VTuber, and has created the character designs for popular VTubers such as Nekozuki Mio and Watamiya Ahiru. Her followers on X (formerly Twitter) number around 192,000 (as of June 2026).

In Japan, the illustrator who designs a VTuber’s original character is affectionately called the “mama” within the industry. As streaming culture has globalized, this image—of the “mama,” and of the “Live2D modeler (papa)” who brings the still illustration to life—has taken root as a profession.

Toyo Institute of Art and Design’s Live2D Education and Its Future

Toyo Institute of Art and Design is an official participating school in Live2D Inc.’s educational support program “LEAP (Live2D Education Aid Program).” Its Comic Illustration Course in the Illustration Department began CG animation classes using Live2D back in 2014 as an industry-academia collaboration project with Live2D Inc. (then Cybernoids), making it an early adopter of Live2D education among vocational schools.

From the 2025 academic year, it fully introduced the face-tracking app “nizima LIVE,” establishing a framework where students can animate their own original characters and take their first step toward VTuber activities. Student works have also been exhibited at Tokyo Game Show 2025 and Live2D’s annual festival “alive.” Graduates have found employment in the game and character-IP industry at companies such as Cygames, ANYCOLOR, and Live2D, and the school continues to focus on developing next-generation creators who can both “draw and animate.” Course details are also available.

Impressions and Outlook

As the professional role of a VTuber “mama” gains wide recognition, there is great significance in a vocational school offering a place to learn directly from a front-line illustrator. At a time when institutions where one can systematically learn Live2D are still limited, Toyo Institute of Art and Design’s initiative—covering everything from drawing to the “animating” process—stands at the forefront of cultivating the talent that supports streaming culture. Through Suimya’s live painting, it is hoped that young people considering their career paths will find a chance to take a step toward creative work.

Source: PR TIMES