Category: Imaginary Monster

Meet the new “Yokai” (monster/spirit) born from the cracks of modern society: “Zaitaku-Bozu” (Stay-at-Home Monk). This is a fictional creature inspired by the serious social issues surrounding the rise of telework, isolation, and loneliness. This image is a detailed infographic/illustration explaining its unsettling nature and ultimate fate in four panels.

Zaitaku-Bozu appears in the corners of rooms of people who have gone days without talking to anyone or stepping outside. Dressed in a suit jacket with pajama bottoms, its face is a glitchy Zoom waiting screen. It starts with auditory hallucinations of work emails late at night, followed by the terrifying phenomenon of being unable to “clock out” even in one’s own home, with doors transforming into “Error 404” screens. Finally, the boundaries between work and private life completely vanish, and the person themselves becomes a Zaitaku-Bozu. This artwork serves as a cautionary tale about mental health and burnout under remote work conditions. A must-see for anyone navigating the new normal.

Introducing “Tokiubai” (The Time Stealer), a new Japanese Yokai inspired by modern social issues such as smartphone addiction and the obsession with “time performance.” This original artwork, created in a graphic recording style, visualizes the invisible phenomenon of losing hours to endless scrolling.

The creature features clock-hand facial features and spindly fingers, feeding on the “stolen time” of users mesmerized by blue light. The illustration uses bold G-pen style strokes and vibrant ink washes reminiscent of Dr. Ph. Martin’s colors, balanced with effective white space for clarity. This piece serves as a visual metaphor for the struggle to maintain focus in a hyper-connected world. Perfect for those interested in modern Japanese folklore, digital-wellbeing concepts, and unique character design. Explore the intersection of traditional Yokai aesthetics and contemporary digital culture.

【Image Alt Text】 Graphic recording style illustration of “Tokiubai,” a modern Japanese Yokai representing digital addiction, stealing time from a person using a smartphone.