A new story born from the feelings behind the creation of KAGAMI, the picture book "The Star of the Squid," will be released on July 11th by Sakamoto Tosho.

Sakamoto Books, a general incorporated association, will publish "Squid Planet" on July 11th, 2026 (Saturday). It will be available for pre-sale at the merchandise booth of RYUICHI SAKAMOTO & TIN DRUM "KAGAMI+", currently being held at VS. in Osaka, and at Value Books Online.


This picture book was born from the only message that Ryuichi Sakamoto left on KAGAMI.
This story was created with text by creative director Sotaro Hoji, who has worked on Ryuichi Sakamoto exhibitions and related projects, and illustrations by GOO CHOKI PAR, who handled the art direction for Ryuichi Sakamoto exhibitions and KAGAMI.

Please enjoy the futuristic world where squids live freely, accompanied by your favorite music by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

*This book is a bilingual Japanese-English edition, available in both Japanese and English.



<Comment from Sotaro Hoji and GOO CHOKI PAR>

When I first read the short piece that Ryuichi Sakamoto left behind for "KAGAMI",
I couldn't help but laugh.

"In a future Earth where humanity has perished, Ryuichi Sakamoto plays the piano, while a squid watches him."

That kind of strange picture suddenly popped into my head.
And I thought, "This might make a great picture book."
I immediately went to consult with the three members of Guu Choki Paa,
"I love squid! (Eating it)" was a response that was completely unexpected.
And that's how this picture book came to be.

As I wrote in the afterword,
I hope you enjoy reading this while listening to your favorite Ryuichi Sakamoto music.
You'll be able to immerse yourself more deeply in the future world of squid.
I myself wrote this story while listening to the professor's music and reflecting on the squid's feelings.

I am neither a musician nor an artist,
I am grateful to have received the baton (unofficially) from Ryuichi Sakamoto and to have been given the opportunity to create freely.
I would like to express my gratitude once again for this happiness and honor.

Hold Sotaro




In a world of squid, somewhere, sometime, after we humans have disappeared.

How does music reach the squids?
How exactly do they perceive sound?
What kind of reactions and emotions arise when we listen to music?

Sakamoto's words were very brief, but the journey of exploration and creation that began from them was profound and boundless.
And through the story that Hoji-san spun, that world gained a tangible presence, and vivid images began to dance in the deep, dark depths of the ocean.

Immerse yourself in a relaxed, tranquil, and peaceful world, feeling the many sounds and the presence of the squids as you capture them in your paintings.

This picture book is just one of the small works that was created from what I inherited from Ms. Sakamoto.

Even in the midst of busy days,
We have Sakamoto's music,
I can imagine a scene from the distant future (or perhaps even now, somewhere) where squids are spending their time listening to music.
I feel like that's somehow very beautiful.

GOO CHOKI PAR

holding sotaro

Creative director and copywriter. After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he joined Dentsu in 2004. Since 2022 , he has been a member of the Creative Directors Collective (Tsuzuku), where he remains to this day. His main works include "Ryuichi Sakamoto | Seeing Sound". Listening to time "Exhibition #Ryuichi Sakamoto I Didn't Know, STUTS ✕ Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Toranomon Advertising Festival Official Anthem" planning and production, Otsuka Pharmaceutical's Pocari Sweat 2020-2025 brand campaign, SMBC's "Colorful People," Azabudai Hills opening promotion, Osaka-Kansai Expo bid, Tokyo 2020 venue production, etc.


 

GOO CHOKI PAR

Founded in 2015 by Kyu Asaba, Kento Iitaka, and Rei Ishii, this design and art unit operates in various fields, focusing on visual communication that transcends language and thought. Recent major works include the title logo design for the historical drama "What to Do, Ieyasu?" and the creation of iconic Paralympic posters for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

GOO CHOKI PAR OFFICIAL WEB：https://gcp.design/

IG：https://www.instagram.com/goo_choki_par/

 

<Ryuichi Sakamoto's Message>

 

 

There is, in reality, a virtual me.

 

My virtual self doesn't age,

They continue to play the piano for years, decades, or even centuries.

 

Will there be humans then?

 

The next creatures to conquer Earth after humanity are squids.

Will they listen?

 

What will pianos be to them?

 

What about music?

 

Will there be empathy there?

 

Empathy that spans hundreds of thousands of years.

 

Ah, but the batteries won't last that long.

 

 

Ryuichi Sakamoto

 

<Regarding sales>

This book will be available for pre-sale from July 11th (Saturday) at the merchandise booth of RYUICHI SAKAMOTO & TIN DRUM's "KAGAMI+" event currently being held at VS. in Osaka, and at Value Books Online.

It is scheduled to be rolled out to bookstores nationwide starting in September 2026.

 

[RYUICHI SAKAMOTO & TIN DRUM "KAGAMI+" merchandise sales area]

530-0011
3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City

Grand Front Osaka North Building, Knowledge Capital, 2nd Floor

The Lab. (Inside the Active Lab)

*The building is across the street from the "KAGAMI+" venue, VS.

Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Open every day during the exhibition period)

 

 

[For those purchasing from Value Books, pre-orders can be placed via the following URL]

Shipping will begin sequentially from July 20th onwards.

https://www.valuebooks.jp/bp/VS0059991065

 

 

■Work summary

Book Title: *The Starry Squid* (English-Japanese Bilingual Edition)

 

Original concept by Ryuichi Sakamoto

Written by Sotaro Sotaro

Picture by GOO CHOKI PAR

Translated by Aiko Masubuchi

 

List price: 4,400 yen (tax included)

Size: 226mm x 226mm

Number of pages: Cover + 28 pages of main text

Language: Japanese/English (bilingual)

Publication date: July 11, 2026

Published by Sakamoto Books, a general incorporated association.

Published by DR BY VALUE BOOKS PUBLISHING (Value Books Co., Ltd.)