
Are you terrible at drawing but really wish you could to sketch some pictures of things you like? Do you have zero qualms about using a giant plastic drawing board designed for small children?
Well then we have good news for you! Bandai’s “Magical Illustrator” turns anything you can look at into something that you can trace into a perfect two-dimensional rendition. The only catch? Well, you’re going to have to be taught how to use it by two elementary school girls.
The Magical Illustrator is going to be released by toymaker Bandai in late November. All you have to do is put something in front of the drawing board, look though the viewing area, and then be amazed with your incredible sketching skills.
▼ You can use it to sketch a nice still life, a portrait of a loved one… or your favorite stuffed capybara toy.
To explain how to use this professional art tool, here’s a video of well-known Japanese YouTubers and toy reviewers, nine-year-old Kanna-chan and six-year-old Akira-chan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7S3OHV5xEA
▼ Hi! We’re here to show you this awesome drawing tool you can pretend to buy for your kid when you really just want it for yourself!
▼ Kanna and Akira will be using the Magic Illustrator to trace a picture, while thrilled-looking dad will be doing it the old fashioned way: with just his lame old eyes.
▼ Here’s the first picture to copy: a pair of starry-eyed Tamagochi friends.
▼ After attaching the paper to the illustrator, you can look through the viewer to see a reflection of the image on a blank piece of paper that only you can see.
▼ See? It’s like magic!
▼ Art in progress, do not disturb.
▼ The final verdict: the Magic Illustrator makes it so that a nine-year-old and six-year-old (left pictures) can draw way better than dad (right).
▼ And you can use the viewer to trace 3-D objects too, like the face of your extremely excited dad.
▼ Hey, not too shabby! And the drawing isn’t bad either!
▼ All of this can be yours for the low price of 5,300 yen (US$44) and never being able to tell anyone how you suddenly got so good at drawing.
The Magic Illustrator may be incredibly cutesy and child-proof, but it’s hard to deny that it’s still pretty cool. As someone who is terrible at sketching but wants to get better, I may just have to bite the bullet and ask Santa to bring me one of these!
Source: Bandai Girl’s Collection
Featured/top image: Bandai Girl’s Collection
Insert images: YouTube/Bandai











Bandai to release life-like posable plastic figures to help you draw “realistic” epic poses
One-Punch Man artist shares 10-year-old daughter’s drawings online
Illustrator creates beautiful “Bicycle Boy” watercolour series inspired by Studio Ghibli
Bandai gets a head start on Christmas cakes
Japanese Twitter spills secret on how to draw perfect feet: Use an 8, some 6s, and an 11
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Lawson convenience store teaches us how to make okonomiyaki with no knife or bowl 【SoraKitchen】
Here’s what happens when you mix all 53 kinds of Muji curry into one crazy super curry【Taste test】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
A century of love – How dating and marriage have evolved in Japan
This French toast recipe that uses ice cream will knock your pajamas off【SoraKitchen】
Henkei Shoujo “Transforming Girls” is being called the “craziest anime in Japan” 【Videos】
Real-life Nausiccä’s Möwe glider makes first powered flight
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Our resident illustrator dramatically corrects an amateur drawing in 10 minutes
Artist living in Tokyo captures the beauty of ordinary buildings in his Tokyo Storefront series
Illustrator for Square Enix, Capcom stuns with whiteboard armor artwork and more
Japanese pro concept artist updates sketch he drew in junior high with amazing results
Bandai recreates everyday items from Sailor Moon in miniature, and the results are adorable!
We try Amazon’s lowest rated posing mannequin, but it wasn’t the doll that was one star
One Piece creator waives copyright for LINE stamps, allows fans to post, profit from fan art
New Sailor Moon merch goes old school as the magical girls turn into eight-bit pixel art
Attention, all artists! Design your own New Year’s postcards on this awesome website
Sanrio teams up with murder reincarnation anime Oshi no Ko for adorable new merch line
Studio Ghibli animator reveals the secret food eaten by Chihiro’s parents in Spirited Away
Japanese graphic designer finds his wife’s old notebook doodles, wows the Internet with their quality
We check out the new Samurai Star Wars figurines from Bandai and Tamashii Nations【Pics】
New Studio Ghibli exhibition brings anime movie magic to cities around Japan
Japan’s kids love game series Yo-Kai Watch, and one fan says it’s because grownups don’t
Leave a Reply