A limited-time event, "COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE × Sumi-e SHOP," brings the world of COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE to life in sumi-e, the traditional Japanese art of ink painting. It opens on Friday, October 16, 2026 at the IP Bookstore inside SHIBUYA TSUTAYA, and at the Kyoto IP Bookstore from Monday, October 19.
Sumi-e artist 御歌頭 newly drew Cobra, Armaroid Lady (アーマロイド・レディ), and Crystal Boy (クリスタルボーイ) for the event. Powerful ink brushwork and the beauty of empty space give the hard-boiled world and strong presence of COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE a fresh form of expression.
In addition to large sumi-e artworks on display, the venues sell a wide range of original sumi-e goods. The event is open not only to fans but also to anyone interested in Japanese culture and art.
Event Details
- Event name: COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE × Sumi-e SHOP
- Dates: SHIBUYA TSUTAYA IP Bookstore from Friday, October 16, 2026; Kyoto IP Bookstore from Monday, October 19, 2026
- Event site: https://shibuyatsutaya.tsite.jp/article/2712.html
Venue (Shibuya): IP Bookstore, 6F SHIBUYA TSUTAYA
- Address: 21-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Venue (Kyoto): Kyoto IP Bookstore (inside Kyoto Tsutaya Books)
- Address: 6F Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. [T8] (Specialty Stores), 35 Otabicho, Shijo-dori Teramachi Higashi-iru 2-chome, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8002
- Hours: 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Ink-Painted COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE
COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE is a sci-fi action work created by manga artist Buichi Terasawa. Space pirate Cobra carries a powerful weapon, the Psychogun, in his left arm, and together with his partner Lady he goes on epic adventures across the galaxy. With its hard-boiled world, distinctive characters, and original visuals, the series has captivated many fans and remains a landmark of sci-fi manga loved in Japan and overseas.
For this project, the series is reimagined in sumi-e, a traditional Japanese art form. Stripped of color, it is expressed only through the shades, bleeding, and dry-brush scratches of the ink, a beauty rooted in Japanese culture and different from digital art.
Sumi-e Original Goods
The sumi-e original goods let fans enjoy the charm of the artworks in a variety of forms.
Sumi-e Four-Panel Folding Screen
This is a mini folding screen with four panels (one screen), featuring a composition of Cobra versus Crystal Boy. Displayed as interior decor, it brings a Japanese atmosphere to a room.
- Price: ¥4,400 (tax included)
- Size: 361 × 257 mm
- Materials: black screen back and core paper; embossed paper front; iron fittings
Sumi-e Beautiful Posters (3 Designs)
Sumi-e art and digital illustrations are printed on special silver-deposited paper. The silver base shows through the background color, giving the posters a luxurious gloss. They are made with a special printing technique.
- Price: ¥1,100 each (tax included)
- Size: B5, 182 mm wide × 257 mm tall
- Material: aluminum silver-deposited paper
Sumi-e Mini Folding Screen Acrylic Stands (3 Designs)
These three-dimensional acrylic stands are based on sumi-e art. The acrylic surface is printed from edge to edge. By matching the angles of the stand bases, the stands can be lined up like a folding screen, so fans can collect their favorite characters and display them together.
- Price: ¥1,100 each (tax included)
- Size: body 50 × 100 mm; base approx. 50 mm
- Material: acrylic
Sumi-e Gold Leaf Postcards (3 Designs)
Using cutting-edge digital embellishment printing, these postcards render sumi-e shading with gold leaf and embossing for a lavish, three-dimensional look. They offer a serene world of beauty that seems to wear the light.
- Price: ¥550 each (tax included)
- Size: approx. 100 × 148 mm
- Materials: 100% pulp, gold leaf, resin
Sumi-e Goshuin (3 Designs)
These full-impact goshuin are drawn with ink shading and fierce brushwork. The design makes use of ink splashes and dry-brush scratches, giving each sheet the presence of a single battle ink painting.
- Price: ¥440 each (tax included)
- Size: approx. 105 × 148 mm
- Material: washi
Sumi-e Metal Stickers (3 Designs)
These stickers use durable aluminum PET with a matte-finished surface. The laminate finish gives them a weighty feel.
- Price: ¥550 each (tax included)
- Size: within 100 × 100 mm
- Material: aluminum PET with matte-treated laminate
Sumi-e Hologram Can Badges
The background uses hologram paper. Enjoy the monochrome world drawn with powerful touch and forceful brush strokes.
- Price: ¥770 each (tax included)
- Size: 65 mm
- Materials: tin, hologram paper
Sumi-e T-Shirts (3 Designs)
Sumi-e artwork is placed on easy-to-wear cotton for everyday use. It is an impactful item.
- Price: ¥4,400 each (tax included)
- Size: free size
- Material: cotton; color: black
Sumi-e Crystal Ashtrays (2 Designs)
These are sturdy glass ashtrays. Sumi-e Cobra and Crystal Boy are designed at the center.
- Price: ¥2,200 each (tax included)
- Size: 100 × 100 mm
- Material: clear crystal glass; comes in an outer box
Sumi-e MA-1 Jacket
This MA-1 jacket features a dynamic design of sumi-e art and the logo. The reverse-side design has a three-dimensional finish using embroidery and printing.
- Price: ¥19,800 (tax included)
- Sizes: S / M / L / XL
- Materials: outer fabric, 100% nylon; lining, 98% polyester and 2% polyurethane; padding, 100% polyester
- The Sumi-e MA-1 jacket is available by pre-order only.
- Changes and cancellations cannot be accepted after an order is placed.
Original Goods
Original Art Beautiful Posters (4 Designs)
Sumi-e art and digital illustrations are printed on special silver-deposited paper. The silver base shows through the background color, giving the posters a luxurious gloss. They are made with a special printing technique.
- Price: ¥1,100 each (tax included)
- Size: B5, 182 mm wide × 257 mm tall
- Material: aluminum silver-deposited paper
Canvas Art (6 Designs)
A collection of Buichi Terasawa's digital illustrations in beautiful prints. The canvas art comes in an easy-to-display size.
- Price: ¥5,500 each (tax included)
- Size: body F3, 273 × 220 mm
- Materials: 35% cotton, 65% polyester, wood; comes in an outer box
Play Mat
A play mat featuring the female characters drawn by Buichi Terasawa.
- Price: ¥3,850 (tax included)
- Size: W600 × H300 mm
- Materials: polyester, rubber
Trading Can Badges (24 Designs, Including 3 Secrets)
Illustrations by Buichi Terasawa were selected and made into can badges. Of the 24 trading designs, 3 are hologram secret designs.
- Price: ¥550 each (tax included)
- Size: 57 mm
- Materials: tin, paper and PP
Reproduction Original Art-Style Sets (3 Designs)
A collection of Buichi Terasawa's hand-drawn manuscript illustrations in beautiful prints. Each set comes with a dedicated envelope.
- Price: ¥3,300 each (tax included)
- Size: B5 plus a dedicated envelope
- Material: paper
Purchase Bonus
With a purchase of ¥3,300 (tax included) of eligible products, customers receive one hologram sticker (limit of one per person).
- Size: 110 × 78 mm
- Material: hologram lenticular sticker
- Eligible products are those sold at COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE × Sumi-e SHOP.
- Quantities are limited, and the bonus ends when supplies run out.
- Because the sticker uses a hologram finish, the product image is for illustration only.
About COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE
COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE is a sci-fi action work created by manga artist Buichi Terasawa. Serialization began in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1978, and with its original world and stylish expression, it left a major mark on the history of Japanese sci-fi manga.
The protagonist is the legendary space pirate Cobra, who carries a special weapon, the Psychogun, in his left arm that turns mental strength into energy. He has a weakness for beautiful women, cracks light jokes, and faces any danger without fear, a free-spirited man. With his beautiful partner Armaroid Lady, he travels across the galaxy and goes on many adventures against mysterious treasures and powerful enemies.
Bold compositions, intricate and fantastical depictions of machinery and outer space, and a hard-boiled hero merge into a one-of-a-kind world that has expanded beyond manga into anime, games, and more. With visuals that have not faded over time and romantic tales of adventure, the series continues to captivate fans around the world as a landmark of sci-fi entertainment.
About Sumi-e Artist 御歌頭
御歌頭 depicts all kinds of subjects in sumi-e, centering on Sengoku warlords as well as animals and nature. His series of castles, 墨城画, and of warlords, 墨将画, exceeds 450 works. He is active across many genres without being bound by convention, including athletes, anime, and games.
His works use a unique style that does not vary the shading of the ink, conveying a dynamism as if the subjects had been given life. Though it is a world of white and black contrast, the eye fills in the color, and the works overwhelm the viewer.
