Yuuki Kikuchi, creator of “A Crocodile Who Will Die in 100 Days,” presents a new mode of expression at Goyo Gallery

A new exhibition, “fRIEND” by Room mate, showcasing canvas works and a gallery-scale installation

Goyo Gallery (TERRADA ART COMPLEX II 3F) is pleased to present “fRIEND” by Room mate, a solo exhibition by Yuuki Kikuchi, from May 16 (Sat) to May 31 (Sun), 2026.

Yuuki Kikuchi made his debut as a manga artist in 2016 with SUPER Doubutsu-zoo. In 2020, his four-panel comic A Crocodile Who Will Die in 100 Days, serialized on X (formerly Twitter), became a major social phenomenon, winning both the Most Retweeted Award and Most Liked Award at the Twitter Trend Awards 2020. The book edition has sold over 350,000 copies and has been published internationally in Taiwan, China, Korea, Thailand, and Spain, as well as adapted into a film.

Since then, Kikuchi has continued to release works such as The Seal That Will Fly Away If It Doesn’t Hold Onto Something and A Mouse That Will Die in 100 Days (×), while expanding his practice across various fields including visual production for NHK E-Tele programs, collaborations with companies, exhibitions at Comic-Con and department stores, and live painting performances.

The “Room Mate Project,” in which Kikuchi participates, is a global initiative that transcends genres such as fashion, music, art, and lifestyle. It brings together like-minded creatives who share their individuality and values while generating new culture.

A key highlight of this exhibition is a new body of canvas works—an expressive development for Kikuchi—emerging from the extension of his diverse activities. How will his distinctive character expressions, where familiarity coexists with sharpness, and lightness with urgency, take shape within the gallery space? This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to witness the “next step” of a widely recognized artist.

Kikuchi’s work depicts loneliness behind humor, anxiety beneath kindness, and subtle emotional fluctuations that unexpectedly emerge in everyday life. How will the sensibility that has captivated audiences through social media and publications transform when embodied on the material surface of canvas? This exhibition invites viewers to reconsider and update their perception of Yuuki Kikuchi.

A widely known artist, presenting an unseen expression.

Through this exhibition, Goyo Gallery seeks to reveal the artist’s deeper identity beyond his popular recognition.

▼Artist

Yuuki Kikuchi
(https://www.instagram.com/yuukikikuchi)

Debuted in 2016 with SUPER Doubutsu-zoo. In 2020, A Crocodile Who Will Die in 100 Days, published on X, became a social phenomenon, leading to book publication, international editions, and a film adaptation.

• A Crocodile Who Will Die in 100 Days: 350,000 copies sold, international editions, film adaptation
  
• Other works include SUPER Doubutsu-zoo, The Seal That Will Fly Away If It Doesn’t Hold Onto Something, A Mouse That Will Die in 100 Days (×)
  
• Exhibitions at Shibuya PARCO (OKOK), Isetan Tachikawa (GO!), BARNEYS NEW YORK Roppongi (ROOM MATE SHOW)
  
• Visual production for NHK E-Tele Oha! Yo~i Don!; official collaboration character for SEGA SHINOBI
  
• Continues to work across manga, character design, advertising, collaboration projects, exhibitions, and live painting

▼Exhibition Information

【Date】2026/5/16(Sat) – 5/31(Sun)
【Open】12:00 – 19:00
【Close】Monday
【Location】TERRADA ART COMPLEX II 3F, 1-32-8 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0002