Sanma X FILTER017 Stranger Things Acrylic Standee Set (Two designs, randomly shipped)

FILTER017® X Stranger Things X Jun Oson Multi-Purpose Acrylic Standee Japanese contemporary artist Jun Oson reinterprets iconic characters from Stranger Things with his distinctive illustrative style. FILTER017® extends this creative vision into visual and product design using its signature blend of elements. Crafted from thick, tactile acrylic, the design features a layered printing process to ensure durability and prevent image peeling. Precision-cut for versatility, it can be detached to serve as both a hanging ornament and a desktop standee, offering both collectible value and practical use. _______________________________________________________ Love, freedom, and a touch of rebellion now and then. Consciousness accumulates like a river of time, filled with starlight, ultimately forming a galaxy. Perhaps it's with age that one begins to envy the rebellious spirit of adolescence around the age of thirty. This "rebellion" isn't necessarily tied to age but rather a "state of being." One can be rebellious at twenty, uninhibited at sixty, and still pursue freedom until their very last moment. This is the collective consciousness I've observed in a certain generation of Japanese people. Recently, I watched two impactful documentaries: one about the Japanese contemporary music maestro Haruomi Hosono, who, while constantly smoking, proclaimed his own existence in "No Smoking, No Talking: Haruomi Hosono"; and NHK's limited broadcast documentary "Last Days: Ryuichi Sakamoto," chronicling the final moments of Professor Ryuichi Sakamoto's life. These two pioneers of Japanese electronic synthesis music, from their youthful band YMO in their twenties to their seventies, absorbed avant-garde and stylish psychedelic music, moving through electro-funk and eventually revolutionizing the Japanese music scene. "Time" merely left its mark on them, never binding or restricting their souls. What must they have consumed to create such magical compositions? I believe it is an obsession called "love and freedom." This generation, born around the same time in the 1950s, blossomed the most rebellious bouquet in the worst of times. The political climate was shaped by the love-hate relationship between post-WWII Japan and the United States. While it ignited public protests, it also introduced modernization and popular culture into daily life. Amidst these fluctuating crosscurrents, intellectual and artistic sentiments soared, becoming a breeding ground for bold expression in a chaotic society. American culture, once an exotic bloom, transformed into a garden of "bunka fukugō" (cultural fusion) in Japan, and this "Japanese American style" became a genre that not only changed Japan but also influenced the world in return. In today's 2025, we are still influenced by Japanese American style, seen in film, fashion, art, music, and literature. This time, "Sanma" narrows its focus, venturing to the outskirts of Tokyo, basing its exploration around Route 16, which traverses the "American Village," to visit Fussa and experience the timeless hippie and rebellious spirit. Like any city facing challenges, the thin wall between development and cultural preservation eventually shows its cracks. As US military bases are dismantled and repurposed across Japan, we don't know how long these remnants will endure. However, their past existence will ultimately be preserved in culture. This issue, in addition to exploring American culture, also includes a map of Fukushima crafts. The people of the Tohoku region, who have bravely stood up since the 311 earthquake, continue to exhibit confidence and courage. We also bring you a special report on Tokyo's leather craftsmanship, highlighting that the lifestyle choices we make are the best selections for the next generation. I resonate with what Satoru Okura, the screen-printing designer and resident of Fussa featured in this issue, said: "Now is the best time." This reminds me of Haruomi Hosono's words in the documentary: "The key is freedom. Once you touch freedom, your heart naturally leaps with joy." It also echoes Ryuichi Sakamoto's final days, still playing notes with his fingertips, which I believe is a reflexive act of love for music. May you find your reason for love and freedom within this shining galaxy.