Mentors

Black and white headshot of Ken Niimura.

Ken Niimura

Cartoonist and Illustrator

Ken Niimura is a Spanish-Japanese cartoonist and illustrator with a unique style informed by his international background.

He has worked with clients such as Amazon, Google, McDonald’s, Marvel Comics, Apple, L’Oreal, DC Entertainment, Shogakukan, Slate, The Apatow Company, Tezuka Pro, Image Comics, Kodansha and NHK Broadcasting Station among others.

He is the author of Henshin(2014), Umami (2018, winner of the Eisner Award to the Best Digital Comic) and Never Open It(2021). He is also the co-creator of I Kill Giants written by Joe Kelly (2009, International Manga Award) which was adapted into a film in 2019 starring Zoe Saldana.

Ken Niimura’s work has been translated into twelve languages. He lives and works between Japan and Europe.

Ken Niimura is mentoring Oret Peña (’22)

website
  • IKGTP000

    I Kill Giants

    Cover for the graphic novel “I Kill Giants”, written by Joe Kelly. It’s been adapted into a movie by director Anders Walter.

  • Henshin000

    Henshin

    Cover for the short story collection “Henshin“, originally published by Shogakukan in Japan.

  • Umami0100

    Umami

    Cover for the ongoing webcomic “Umami“, published by Panel Syndicate.

  • Ken Niimura

    Never Open It

    A book adapting 3 Japanese folk tales, published by Yen Press.

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