Hi, I’m Mikata, also known as SEKI, CEO of Illury, a Japanese creative platform where artists can publish their illustrations and manga.

I’ve been creating digital art for over eight years, focusing mainly on manga and character illustration. My works have been featured in two commercial magazines, and I also have professional experience as a freelance illustrator.

I founded Illury to build a space where amateur creators can freely and sustainably express themselves — a place that nurtures creativity rather than competition.

In my course, I don’t just teach how to draw.

I focus on why each line, color, and shape conveys a character’s emotion.

Rather than emphasizing technique alone, I want you to understand the heart, background, and story behind your characters —

and learn how to express them through your own art.

In an age where AI can instantly generate images, I believe the true value of art lies in the joy of creating — and in growing through your own hands.