Check out the mural in Akihabara! New work by French artist Chat Noir
maho
With the arrival of spring, a new art spot has been born on a street corner in Akihabara. The mural, which covers the entire wall, is a work by French artist Chat Noir, who paints fantastical worlds with cats as his motif. In this article, we take a look behind the scenes of this art through an interview with the building owner who provided the space and the circumstances surrounding the mural's creation.
Just a few minutes' walk from Akihabara Station, this super cute mural suddenly appeared! A rising star in France, a painterChat NoirIsFirst in JapanIt's painted street art!
About the French painter Chat Noir
A rising star in the French contemporary art world!
At one point, he was considering a career in medicine, but he could not give up his passion for art, so he enrolled at the most prestigious art university in France.Ecole des Beaux-ArtsEnrolled in. During his time at school, he studied academic painting and thoroughly mastered the fundamentals.
Ecole des Beaux-Arts It is the first high-quality art school established in Paris and has a history and tradition spanning over 350 years. Famous artists who graduated from this school include Edgar Degas, Eugène Delacroix, Dominique Ingres, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. PariramaThan
Encounter with street art
After graduating, he visited Barcelona and was impressed by the happy expressions on the faces of people looking at graffiti, a street art that is painted on walls around the city, and he began working as an artist himself. (Street art in Barcelona)
"Art is for everyone"
The principles of his creative activities that he has followed to this day are those he learned from his father, who was a painter. "Art is not esoteric, it is for everyone, it is a transfer of energy from heart to heart."
What is the origin of the stage name "Chat Noir"?
What is the stage name Chanoir?Black catis the meaning of The French word Chat is the English word Cat, and Noir means black.
I had a cat at the time, so naming him after a cat was a natural choice.
A rising star in the contemporary art world who collaborates with global companies
Cha, the original character created by Chat Noir, is a positive and humorous cat. His work has also attracted attention through collaborations with global companies such as Samsung, and he has held exhibitions around the world. In 2019, he was awarded the Order of Merit by the French Ministry of Culture and Communications.芸術文化勲章シュヴァリエHe has become a rising star in the contemporary art world, enjoying huge popularity, especially in Europe.
↑Samsung GALAXYS4 – Art Cover (Chanoir)
↑Ungaro the perfume Fresh Her and Fresh Him (Chanoir)
Why Akihabara? What inspired the mural?
The first mural painted in Japan
Design concept: A smiling cat's dream
This mural has also been posted on Chat Noir's Instagram!
This time, we were able to interview the building's owner, President Suzuki, who kindly took the time to speak with us!
Q. How did you come to have the painting done on the wall?
President Suzuki
I received a request through my friend's wife.
My friend, a photographer, has a French wife. His wife has connections with Chat Noir's wife. "I'm looking for a place where (Chat Noir) can paint a mural when he comes to Japan for a trip." I heard about it through a friend.
Q. What did Chat Noir look like when you were drawing him?
Chat Noir finished the drawing in about two and a half hours, from 3:00 to 5:30 pm, and at first I thought about taking a break, but as I watched him draw I was drawn in. The pace was also very fast, and it was fun to watch.
He seemed like a kind man, and this time he was with his wife, son, and an interpreter. When he returned to this painting from another location, Chat Noir didn't seem to look at his finished painting again, and spent about 10 minutes staring at it and taking pictures from the other side of the road. (When I saw that scene) I thought maybe Chat Noir liked it too.
Apparently, the owner also painted on the walls of another building he owned. I received a photo!
Chat Noir's second Japanese "Cha" - provided by President Suzuki
Q: What has been the reaction from the local community?
There's a lot of tension in Japanese society right now. That's why I asked Chat Noir to draw this picture, hoping that it would bring a smile to the faces of local people when they see it.
It has been well received by local residents, especially children. The other day, the president of a local company, a friend of mine, was taking a walk with his son when the son laughed out loud and asked, "Dad, what's that?" My friend also told him, "My friend, President Suzuki, had it painted by (Chat Noir)," and his son looked very happy. (Hearing this story) I thought it was a good thing that they did it. There are no cars parked there, especially on weekends, so it looks really beautiful.
Just between you and me, I drew it on a Saturday, so it was funny when the cleaning lady called me on Monday morning and said, "There's graffiti on it."
People from a nearby construction site also came to see what was written on it.
Q. What are your plans for the future?
At first, we were thinking about preparing scaffolding, but Chat Noir said that a stepladder would be enough (for the size of the painting). Looking back, I wish we had properly prepared scaffolding. I would like you to paint the remaining surfaces when you come to Japan again.
If there is an opportunity like that in the future, it would be nice to offer our space to other artists and have them draw there.
I would be delighted if this opportunity inspires the owners of the surrounding buildings to try their hand at wall art, and it becomes a new landmark in Akihabara and Asakusabashi.
Access information to the location where the artwork can be seen
Suzuwa Building
5-2-3 Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0053 8 minutes walk from Akihabara station 4 minutes walk from Asakusabashi station
Rental Space Puzzle Asakusabashi(Interview cooperation)
Suzuwa Building 2F, 5-2-3 Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo
A mural suddenly completed in Akihabara
The artworks by world-renowned artist Chat Noir, painted on the walls of buildings in Akihabara, add a new charm to the local landscape. Come experience a new side of Akihabara, where you can encounter art just by walking around the city.
Past interview articles from Akihabara Base Camp can be found here ↓
![[July 2025] Akihabara Event Guide | Anime and Collaboration Cafes](https://akihabara-bc.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/6%E6%9C%88%E3%82%A4%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88.jpg)
