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Fans of Pixar are sure to be eagerly waiting the release of the studio’s newest movie, Inside Out (or Inside Head as it’s being called in Japan). The film may have caused a slight stir on the Japanese Internet for having a theme that’s noticeably similar to that of the Japanese manga and movie Poison Berry in My Brain (Nonai Poison Berry), but Pixar’s new offering is bound to draw huge crowds when it comes out on June 19 in the U.S. and July 18 in Japan.

And one thing the movie certainly seems to have going for it in Japan is cool poster artwork. Check out these Japanese posters for Inside Out which feature beautiful kanji calligraphy representing each of the emotions that appear in the movie!

Inside Out depicts the goings on in the mind of the protagonist Riley, a pre-teen kid, where her five main emotions in personified form are hard at work to help guide her throughout the trials of life. For the Japanese market, Pixar has created a poster for each of the emotions, with the kanji character symbolizing each particular emotion appearing prominently at the top. The kanji letters used in the posters are the work of Japanese calligraphy artist Sisyu, who has created work for an impressive list of clients including the Japanese government and major corporations such as Mitsubishi Corporation, Nissan Motor Company and Asahi Breweries.

Each letter has been written by Sisyu in a specific style that reflects the emotion it symbolizes.

▼ The letter for “joy” (yorokobi: 喜), which is said to be the first emotion a newborn baby feels, is written to represent a feeling as bright and warm as the sun.

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▼ “Fear” (osore: 怖), given the name bibiri (scaredy-cat) in the Japanese version, has a delicate personality and is quick to perceive danger, which serves to keep Riley safe.

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▼ “Anger” is depicted as a feeling that is necessary for you to stay true to your convictions and carry out what you feel is right, and is shown in a lovable light, even if it is an angry emotion.

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▼ “Disgust” (iya: 嫌), called mukamuka (nausea) in the Japanese version, is an emotion that keeps you happy by helping you detect and avoid what may disgust or upset you.

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▼”Sadness” (kanashimi: 悲) is a feeling that allows you to appreciate joy all the more, and the letter is written to give it the appearance of an emotion that needs to be embraced.

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So, what do you think of the emotions and their kanji letters? In Japan, at least, the familiar kanji characters will be likely to endear the five feelings to the public. Plus, the calligraphy by Sisyu in itself is highly entertaining to look at. We have to say, the posters certainly make us wish we had such lovable beings in our head to help us sort our often muddled emotions … but who knows? Maybe we do, and we just don’t know it!

Source: Design Taxi via Spoon & Tamago, Sisyu’s website, Disney Japan website
Top image: Sisyu’s website (edited by RocketNews24)
Inset images: Sisyu’s website