TOKYO, June 30 — The acclaimed manga artist shared his experience at the girl group’s sold-out show and reflected on his recent work illustrating their limited-edition album cover.
Junji Ito, the legendary horror manga creator behind iconic works such as Tomie and Uzumaki, attended K-pop group IVE’s concert at the Tokyo Dome on June 24, he revealed in a social media post.
The concert was the group’s second Tokyo Dome performance and part of their “IVE WORLD TOUR ‘SHOW WHAT I AM’”. According to local reports, approximately 48,000 fans packed the venue, where IVE delivered a 150-minute set spanning 27 songs.
Ito wrote that he thoroughly enjoyed the performance, describing it as a “wonderful live show of singing and dancing in a packed venue”. Following the concert, he was given the opportunity to greet the members backstage.
“Although I was overwhelmed by the members’ tremendous aura,” Ito recounted, “I signed cards featuring the illustration I created for the limited-edition CD jacket and handed them to each member. In return, I received signed cards from all of them. I will treasure them!”
The meeting was the result of a unique collaboration between the horror master and the K-pop sensation, first announced in April. Ito was commissioned to illustrate the limited-edition cover for IVE’s Japan fourth EP, LUCID DREAM, which was released on May 27. The artwork features all six IVE members alongside the group’s official mascot, “MINIVE”. The cover art is exclusive to the EP’s limited production run.
The collaboration extends beyond the album artwork. IVE’s track JIGSAW, included on LUCID DREAM, serves as the opening theme for the upcoming TV Tokyo drama series Strange – Junji Ito no Yoru mo Nemurenu Kimyō na Hanashi (Strange – Junji Ito’s Sleepless Strange Tales).
The drama, which premieres on July 3 at 24:12 JST, is a live-action omnibus adaptation of 13 selected works from Ito’s celebrated horror manga catalog. The closing theme will be performed by 10CM.
Ito’s attendance at the concert underscores the growing crossover between Japanese horror culture and the global K-pop phenomenon. The collaboration has generated significant buzz since its announcement, with IVE member Wonyoung reportedly expressing that she has long been a fan of Ito’s artwork and stories.
Ito concluded his post by reminding fans of the upcoming drama premiere: “IVE’s opening theme will play in Strange – Junji Ito no Yoru mo Nemurenu Kimyō na Hanashi, starting July 3 (Friday) on TV Tokyo!”
