After our memorable participation in the Fukuoka Art Book Fair earlier that year, something became evident to us: the true magic of publishing happens when books meet the hands, eyes, and curiosity of readers. It was not only about presenting art; it was about listening, exchanging, discovering how our work resonates with people who encounter it for the first time. When the Meet Your Art Festival announced its 2024 edition in Tennozu Isle, we knew we had to be part of it. This festival felt like the perfect continuation of the journey we had begun in Fukuoka: another chance to meet new audiences, this time in our own city.

To mark the occasion, we decided to do something unusual and delay the release of Tokyo WALLS vol.09. Traditionally launched in September, it would instead be unveiled in mid‑October, timed precisely for the festival. And it was worth the wait. This volume was unlike any other: it brought together two friends, two giants of their respective worlds: Haroshi, whose sculptures carved from recycled skateboards carry a soul of their own, and HxS, celebrated far and wide for his singular sofubi creations. Their past exhibitions, their individuality, even the rare pieces on which they collaborated all found a home within these pages. Tokyo WALLS also had the privilege of stepping inside their studios, capturing the atmosphere behind the artworks.

To make this volume truly special, we designed a unique dust jacket inspired by vintage Japanese kaiju posters, featuring two collaborative sofubis. We believe it might be the first collector’s item to unite the signatures of both artists in this way.

The release at the festival surpassed all our expectations. A long queue formed (long enough to cause a small stir at the venue), a testament to the magnetic pull of both artists. Alongside the new volume, the festival allowed us to bring back archived editions of Tokyo WALLS, giving visitors a rare opportunity to acquire books long sold out. But the real treasure lay in the encounters: moments shared with collectors, artists, and visitors who discovered Tokyo WALLS for the first time. These exchanges reminded us why we do what we do. They allowed Tokyo WALLS not only to grow, but to breathe, carried forward by the people who believe in the stories printed on our pages.