In the Age of Generative AI, Kimura Foundry's 100th Anniversary Project to Protect Children's "Imagination" Launches "Picture Book of Imaginary Monsters"

Kimura Foundry Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shimizu-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, President and CEO: Toshinari Kimura) will launch the "Endangered Imaginary Monster Picture Book" project as part of its 100th anniversary initiative in 2027, aiming to support children's free thinking and imagination in the age of generative AI. Applications for "imaginary monsters" from children nationwide will open on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. A TV commercial and project movie will also be released on the same day.

"Endangered Imaginary Monster Picture Book" Overview

In an era where answers can be found without thinking, time for imagination is rapidly diminishing. Now, the "monsters" that children imagine are on the verge of disappearing before they are born. This is a project to protect such "monsters."

Through this initiative, we will solicit "imaginary monsters" drawn with free thinking from children across the country, and publish them as a picture book on a special website. Furthermore, Kimura Foundry's technology will be used to create three-dimensional models and exhibit them.

"Imaginary Monster Picture Book" Special Website https://www.kimuragrp-mousoukaijuzukan.com

Application Overview

・Application Period: Scheduled from Wednesday, July 8, 2026, to Wednesday, September 30, 2026

・Target Audience: Children nationwide (※ Ages 18 and under)

・Application Content: Illustrations of "imaginary monsters" drawn with free thinking

・How to Apply: Submit via the special website

・Awards and Participation Prizes:

【Kimura Foundry Award (3 winners)】 1 Certificate of Merit 2 3D model of the winning artwork 3 Imaginary Monster Picture Book merchandise 4 10,000 yen in children's gift certificates

【Special Award (14 winners)】 1 Certificate of Merit 2 Imaginary Monster Picture Book merchandise 3 5,000 yen in children's gift certificates

【Participation Prize (First 500 applicants)】 1 Imaginary Monster Picture Book original pouch

※ For more detailed information, please visit the special website.

Future Schedule

2026

July: Start of imagination workshops in elementary schools (※ Recruitment from schools also under consideration)

August: Release of graphics / Second CM release / Release of preliminary report

October: Commencement of development as educational material (※ Educational material to be released upon completion)

2027

February: Second project movie for the Imaginary Monster Picture Book released

February onwards: Exhibition to be held

※ These are tentative plans and may be subject to change.

TV Commercial and Project Movie Overview

This commercial depicts children imagining "monsters" that exist only in their minds and then acting them out. It expresses the joy of expanding one's own world and giving it form while confronting things that have no right answer.

● Broadcast Start Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026 –

TV/WEB

⚫ Imaginary Monster Picture Book "Banana Monster" spot 15 sec: https://youtu.be/wBIdrMZTQf4

⚫ Imaginary Monster Picture Book "Ate Too Much Ice Cream" spot 15 sec: https://youtu.be/N08VrmATYNY

⚫ Imaginary Monster Picture Book "Corridor & Connecting Corridor" spot 30 sec: https://youtu.be/oqvd6YtK63U

WEB

⚫ Imaginary Monster Picture Book "Schoolyard" spot 15 sec: https://youtu.be/pnUOEpa3t64

⚫ Imaginary Monster Picture Book "Corridor" spot 15 sec: https://youtu.be/fBB7R6E4Vws

⚫ Imaginary Monster Picture Book "Schoolyard & Stairs" spot 30 sec: https://youtu.be/aI3Mdk7iS18

⚫ Kimura Foundry 100th Project Movie "Imaginary Monster Picture Book": https://youtu.be/BOSAiu2FFn4

⚫ Kimura Foundry 100th Project Making Movie "Imaginary Monster Picture Book": https://youtu.be/4AuYQrSpVfU

Cut Data

"Banana Monster" spot "Ate Too Much Ice Cream" spot "Corridor & Connecting Corridor" spot

"Schoolyard" spot "Corridor" spot "Schoolyard & Stairs" spot

Kimura Foundry 100th Project Movie "Imaginary Monster Picture Book"

Comments from Project Advisors

Professor Emeritus, Seishin Women's University / President, Society for Picture Book Studies / Director, Biiku Bunka Association

Naoki Mizushima

Born in 1957. After completing graduate studies at Tokyo University of the Arts, he served as Associate Professor at Yamagata University and Professor at Seishin Women's University, before assuming his current position in 2026. He has held positions such as Representative Director of the Society for Art Education, Chairman of the National Association of University Professors of Art and Design Education, and Director of the Japan Art Education Association. His books include "Complete Works of Art Education Practice."

The word "imagination" itself can carry negative connotations. The real world has not only light but also darkness. It is also full of contradictions. However, the history of human development is also a history of overcoming such contradictions and darkness. On the other hand, children inherently possess the means to "live." The child's act of imagining based on the waste and nonsense present in this real world, and creating diverse images, embeds the secret of human creativity.

Professor, Faculty of Education, Shizuoka University

Masayuki Haga

Specializes in art education and hobby research. He is engaged in clarifying the roots and significance of art education through a multifaceted approach. In recent years, he has been broadly pursuing the possibilities of manufacturing, including STEAM education and the development of plastic model educational materials. His co-authored books include "Art Appreciation Declaration" (Nihon Bunkyo Publishing) and "Shizuoka Hobby is Amazing!" (Shizuoka Prefectural Cultural Foundation).

This project focuses on the boundless imagination of children. It is Kimura Foundry's challenge to confront the issues facing Japanese society in the future and create new value, building upon its history of giving form to the formless concept of "creation." Through the endeavor of creating "imaginary monsters," it will stimulate children's rich sensibilities and awaken undiscovered imaginations. The imaginary creatures brought to life by Kimura Foundry's technology may leap out in three dimensions and suddenly appear in our towns.

Art Director / Film Director / Collage Artist

Takayoshi Shimizu

After graduating from Musashino Art University, he established the design and video company Let's go inc in Tokyo in 2022. He excels at creating works that make people feel positive, such as designing children's programs, animated music videos using collage, and directing TV commercials incorporating puppet shows.

As a child, while waiting for my working parents to return home, I used to gaze idly at the wood grain on the living room ceiling. Following the lines of the annual rings with my eyes, I would see various creatures like fish and monsters. There wasn't any particular excitement, just a quiet time of observation. Now, as a character designer, I feel through this project that that time may have nurtured my imagination. I haven't really imagined things lately, maybe I should try? Let's imagine, yes, let's do that!

Kimura Foundry Company Overview

Kimura Foundry is <A leading player in the casting industry, KIMURA supports the world with its reliable technology!> Without KIMURA's technology, the world wouldn't function! We are constantly innovating through our reliable "technical capabilities," overwhelming "improvement capabilities," and the remarkable achievements of our young employees. The full-mold casting method we employ is a casting technique using styrofoam, where molten iron is poured at high temperatures, vaporizing the styrofoam to form the product. This method is integrated with IT technology, enabling significant labor savings, the production of complexly shaped products in a short period, and even the ability to handle mass production, which has been a major challenge in the industry. We were the first in the industry to introduce 3D printers, further reducing delivery times by 1/10. As a pioneer, we continue to lead the future through cutting-edge technology development!