Picture Book "Black" by Takuma Takasaki (text) and Ken Kuroi (illustrations) Released

The picture book "Black" (Kodansha), created by Takuma Takasaki (text) and Ken Kuroi (illustrations) and inspired by a commercial from about 20 years ago themed around children's imagination, was released on September 24.

AB size, 36 pages, Price: ¥1,760 (tax included)

A boy who keeps painting sheets of drawing paper black, day after day.
When he finally stops, what is born...?

【Book Content】 
In 2002, picture book author Ken Kuroi saw a commercial that deeply moved him. It showed a boy sitting at his desk, day after day, blackening sheets of drawing paper. What was happening inside this child?
Nearly 20 years after that impact. Based on the commercial "imagination / Whale: Please Don't Take Creativity Away from Children" (produced by the Japan Advertising Council at the time) by Takuma Takasaki—winner of the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival Grand Prix, Cannes Lions Silver Lion, Clio Bronze Award, and New York ADC Silver Award—this picture book, a project undertaken over many years, is now complete.

[Author's Comment]
A new life was breathed into a commercial from 20 years ago.
has been given new life.
Picture book artist Ken Kuroi's
long, long process of trial and error
is evident on every page
with the composition, expressions, and paper texture
with a gentle touch.
To many people
and reach
to many people.
Somewhere, someone
somewhere,

Text by Takuma Takasaki... Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1969. Graduated from Waseda University Faculty of Law. Creative Director/CM Planner. Winner of numerous domestic and international awards, including twice being named JAAA Creator of the Year. Author of works including 'Distant Fragments', 'The Art of Expression', 'Auto Reverse', and 'Takuma Takasaki's Creative Clinic: There's Not a Single Boring Project'.

Illustrations by Ken Kuroi......Born in 1947 in Niigata Prefecture. Graduated from Niigata University, Faculty of Education. Major picture book works include "Gon the Fox," "Going to Buy Gloves," "You Know, in Santa's Country...," the "Korowan" series, and the "Let's Play with Ken-chan" series. Art collections include "Cloud Signals" (Kaiseisha) and "SWEET TIMES" (Shogakukan). Established the "Ken Kuroi Picture Book House" in Kiyosato, Yamanashi Prefecture in 2003.