On Saturday evening, OC's 33 Howard Street location was transformed into a figure drawing class, with legendary gay manga artist Jiraiya taking over the space to sign rare merchandise and draw portraits of fans.
For his first trip to the United States, the notoriously elusive Japanese artist made a series of stops across the country that ended with an intimate show, titled Larger Than Life, held at Opening Ceremony. Die-hard fans lined up down the block to get a glimpse of the anonymous artist (try to snap a photo of him, we dare you!) and make purchases of everything MASSIVE, from tank tops to prints of the artist's work.
The show, still up at OC, centers around four large-scale gliceé prints of buff, husky men in Jiraiya’s signature bara, or gay manga, style. Attendees also had the chance to snap up rare merchandise including Caveman Guu, a comic-book tale of caveman romance.
Guests were treated to custom Jiraiya artwork: The artist drew portraits as he as signed work for fans, calling to mind the caricature artists one might see in a corner street by Times Square.
Custom prints of your own face—bara style—from Jiraiya? Doesn't get much better than that.
Stop by 33 Howard this week to see Larger Than Life, up at OC until the prints sell out.![]()
From left to right: Guest, MASSIVE's Graham Kolbeins, guest, OC's Kyle, guest, MASSIVE's Anne Ishii, OC's Will, Jiraiya, OC's Rhamier, Dylan, Sabrina, and Michelle. Photos by Matthew Kelly![]()
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OC's Jesse![]()
OC's Jason and Charlie![]()
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MASSIVE's Graham Kolbeins and Anne Ishii with guests![]()
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For his first trip to the United States, the notoriously elusive Japanese artist made a series of stops across the country that ended with an intimate show, titled Larger Than Life, held at Opening Ceremony. Die-hard fans lined up down the block to get a glimpse of the anonymous artist (try to snap a photo of him, we dare you!) and make purchases of everything MASSIVE, from tank tops to prints of the artist's work.
The show, still up at OC, centers around four large-scale gliceé prints of buff, husky men in Jiraiya’s signature bara, or gay manga, style. Attendees also had the chance to snap up rare merchandise including Caveman Guu, a comic-book tale of caveman romance.
Guests were treated to custom Jiraiya artwork: The artist drew portraits as he as signed work for fans, calling to mind the caricature artists one might see in a corner street by Times Square.
Custom prints of your own face—bara style—from Jiraiya? Doesn't get much better than that.
Stop by 33 Howard this week to see Larger Than Life, up at OC until the prints sell out.
From left to right: Guest, MASSIVE's Graham Kolbeins, guest, OC's Kyle, guest, MASSIVE's Anne Ishii, OC's Will, Jiraiya, OC's Rhamier, Dylan, Sabrina, and Michelle. Photos by Matthew Kelly
OC's Jesse
OC's Jason and Charlie
MASSIVE's Graham Kolbeins and Anne Ishii with guests
