6th SuperGroupies X piapro Characters Collab Starts Now!
By now, you’ve probably heard about the esteemed SuperGroupies collabs with the piapro cast, and this newest one is sure to live up to expectations of its predecessors! This time, we have the main illustrations for the collab coming from LAM, whose art has graced that of the song GIMMEXGIMME, the Catch the Wave module for Project DIVA Mega 39’s, the MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 apparel collab and even the new Yuzuki Yukari Mμ design!
Merchandise available
piapro characters themed watches – ¥ 19,800 each
Characters available: Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin/Len, Megurine Luka, Meiko and Kaito.
- Wrist circumference: 13cm ~ 18cm
As you can see, the watch faces have “details reminiscent of speakers and audio level indicators”, and the watches will light up if you press the switch on the top right of the product! Perfect for coming home late at night, or even getting out of bed to grab a midnight snack (maybe…)!
As well as this, Super Groupies’ first ever collaboration items featuring MEIKO and KAITO are here! In celebration of their recent 15th anniversaries, they too have their own special watches. These brilliant multifunctional watches can show you not only the time, but also the days of the week and it features 24-hour subdials. All of the twelve time markings and the minute and hour hands glow in the dark too!
piapro characters backpacks – ¥ 14,800 each
Characters available: Hatsune Miku and Megurine Luka
- Dimensions: 42cm (H) x 29cm (w) x 14cm (D)
- Strap can extend to a maximum of 90cm
The Miku themed backpack is a drawstring style one with an overarching cover, fastened with clips to helps keep your luggage secure. There are also plenty of decently sized zip up pockets (including side ones), accented with turquoise. The zips are said to be inspired by Miku’s twin tails!
In comparison, the Luka-themed backpack has multiple visible compartments with gorgeous zips, all accented in pink and gold to reflect her design. This one also has side pockets and her signature “03” featured on it.
Both have adjustable straps and a handle on top, and are about A4 size overall. The two backpacks also have a unique patterned lining inside, showing off their exclusive design (see the wallets below to find out more!).
Kagamine Rin/Len shoulder bag – ¥ 10,800
- Dimensions: 24cm (H) x 17.5cm (W) x 65cm (D)
- Strap can be extended to a maximum of 120cm
Slightly smaller than the Miku and Luka backpacks, this bag still has plenty of pockets and space for your stuff! Not only that, but you can also notice the adjustable shoulder strap, yellow accented zips and stitching and unique patterned lining inside! My personal favourite detail is the “ElectricVoiceSystem” feature on one of the zips, which is actually the text featured on Rin and Legs leg warmer type things!
piapro characters themed wallets – ¥ 11,800 each
Characters available: Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin/Len and Megurine Luka
- Dimensions: 9.5cm (H) x 19cm (w) x 2.5cm (d)
- Features 12 storage locations for cards
- Material: natural and synthetic leather
Inside patterns are as follows:
- Hatsune Miku: the letters “M”, “K”, “HTN” and numbers “39” and “01”
- Kagamine Rin/Len: the letters “R”, “L” and numbers “02”
- Megurine Luka: the letters “L”, “K”, “MGRN” and numbers “03”
These purses/wallets feature an exclusive SuperGroupies design across the outside, which not only gives them a lovely exterior texture, but those with a good eye will be able to notice the subtle references to the piapro characters in the pattern too! Each purse has plenty of pockets inside for monetary notes, coins, bank cards, business cards and even point/membership cards, so you’ll never need to worry about forgetting them!
piapro characters zip up Blouson jackets – ¥ 19,800 each
Characters available: Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin/Len and Megurine Luka
Sizes:
- Mens free size: 67cm (L), 66cm (W), 54cm (Shoulder width), 61cm (sleeve length)
- Womens free size: 63cm (L), 60cm (W), 51cm (shoulder width), 58cm (sleeve length)
These super stylish jackets are perfect to everyday wear, and have plenty of pockets (even on the sleeves), perfect for items like phones, purses/wallets and much more! They feature a differently coloured lining which represents their respective character, and even have matching coloured zips which stand in brilliant contrast with the dark jacket material. You can order them in either male or female sizes too! And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the cute piapro character related patch inside the lining.
piapro characters themed sneakers – ¥ 11,800 each
Characters available: Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin/Len, Megurine Luka
(Please check the official product page for more info about sizing)
Make sure to keep an eye out for the intricate details on these sneakers, especially the numbered patches representing each character! These super stylish shoes feature coloured insoles, duel coloured laces and foam rubber chunky soles, these are perfect for any occasion.
Merchandise info
Preorder period: From August 18th to September 7th 2020
Delivery information:
- Wristwatches: Early February 2021
- Bags/Wallets: Around late December 2020
- Sneakers: Around the beginning of December 2020
Official website: https://www.super-groupies.com/feature/miku_06_watch
Purchase preorder bonus goods
And for anyone able to preorder the goods within this timeframe mentioned above will get an acrylic stand featuring LAM‘s promo art!
Note: each character acrylic stand will come with a purchase of the matching character goods. E.g. if you buy the Kagamine Rin/Len wristwatch, you’ll get their acrylic stand!
Interview with LAM
After the collaboration items were released, SuperGroupies were able to have an email interview with none other than LAM themself!
Q: Please tell us about your impressions of Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin/Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO and KAITO, whom you’ve drawn for us.
A. It’s really fun to draw the virtual singers. It was interesting to combine the original charm of the characters with my own designs, and I really enjoyed drawing them this time.
Q: Are there any particular points/favourite points of this art that you’d like to comment on?
A.This time I tried to make cool looking illustrations based around the colour black. I’d say my favourite point is the integration of the black + key colour concept. This time I was very particualr about the texture of the clothes, so I’d like for you to take a closer look and see for yourselves!
Q: Were there any parts you struggled with when drawing these illustrations?
A. Last year I drew the same set of characters for a different job, but I feel like their standing poses this time are are even better! The illustrations became a fierce battle to complete since I was so enthusiastic about them. Also, in order to portray the merchandise accurately, I had to be fussy over the depiction of the details, you see.
Relaxing with a work companion at 〇〇!? How were the illustrations produced…?
Q.What kind of work tools (computer/monitor/pentab/software/chair/other useful stuff) do you use?
A. I use a desktop PC with BENQ dual monitors and a mouse. The pentab I use is the Cintiq 13HD with the Crysta software. I used to sit on a tough chair before, but since I became self-reliant, I now use a type of chair called “Ergohuman”. I don’t really use any other fancy equipment (please drop me any recommendations if you have them!).
Q. Do you have any companions/accompaniment when creating your illustrations?
A. Recently, I’ve been relaxing at my desk by burning incense.
Q. Do you listen to any music or something in the background as you produce your illustrations?
A. Since I can’t do my work properly unless I’m listening to something, I usually have YouTube on in the background. I’ve been endlessly playing the music videos of my favourite artists, and I’ve also been watching a lot of VTuber’s videos.
LAM just doesn’t stop! What are LAM’s future plans?
Q. Are there any kinds of “my rules” you keep in mind while producing illustrations?
A. I like to “challenge” myself to something new with each illustration. Now I’m trying to work on drawing facial expressions I’ve never drawn before, as well as colour schemes I haven’t tried yet and want to master.
Q. This is a vivid and catchy work from you, but did you take any inspiration from anywhere else for you work?
A. Since I studied Graphic Design as a student, I had plenty of time to think about the line of sight and making something eye catching, and I try to make use of these musings in my artwork now. As a creator, I’ve always liked the works of Yasuda Suzuhito-san, Take-san and MITSUME-san, and I feel like they’ve influenced my own art.
Q.Please tell us more about your motto above where you do your work.
A. It’s “Even with one step the sole of your shoe will wear down” 「足踏みしてても靴底は減る」.
(Note: this phrase is said to be used as a type of reassurance towards an uncertain situation. The idea that even with the teeniest step, you’ll still have changed from where you were originally, so it’s not too hard to keep going and progressing or going ahead with what you were uncertain about for the sake of a potentially positive outcome.
Q. Looking forward to more of your work! Do you have any special plans coming up?
A. Recently I’ve been preparing for various projects. I hope to make many exciting announcements for everyone, so please look forward to them!
Wow, that’s quite a lot for just one collaboration, but SuperGroupies always manage to bring us something new and amazing after all, don’t they? You can also check out our coverage of the previous SuperGroupies x piapro characters collab from back in 2019 if you’re interested! If you’d like to in pick up any of the merchandise items featured in this article, make sure to check out our links section below to find the preorder pages. And make sure to check out all of LAM‘s social media pages to see what they’ll be up to next!
~Tanudama
LAM’s designs are always sharp and cool.