
German-born Tokyo designer Anji Salz wows with this home-made Space Invaders kimono, and she’ll show you how to make your very own, too!
Space Invaders was one of the first ever modern video games. Released in 1978, the Japanese arcade game has since become a pop cultural icon. So, what better home for the retro game’s cute pixelated mascot than printed onto another retro icon – a Japanese kimono!
That’s apparently the idea that popped into the head of German-born, Harajuku-based designer, fashion fanatic and self-professed kimono addict Anji Salz, who, equipped with her innate design talents, set about building the wicked cool garment by Frankensteining together two monochromatic kimonos into one katamigawari two-tone kimono. She then printed on a bunch of cool, Space Invaders patterns and, voila! The Space Invaders kimono was born.
すごい着物を着てる人がいたので、思わず声をかけて写真撮らせてもらった。髪の毛を緑色に染めた20代くらいのドイツの方。自分でデザインしたそうな。いやあ、すごいな。。 pic.twitter.com/3FTGkMIFpv
— matida194 (@matidanaruse) June 24, 2016
And this cool summer garment isn’t just a flimsy prop, either; Anji Salz actually came onto our radar after we saw a Japanese Twitter user post a photo of Salz sporting the kimono out on the town.
Not only that, but if you’re dying to have one to show off yourself, Salz has a detailed blog post with step-by-step instructions for making your very own. It even looks relatively easy!
I would have tried my hand at it and shared the results in this post, but my editor thinks I’m a liability around sharp objects like scissors and needles.
You can find Anji’s blog post on crafting your own Space Invaders kimono right here, with both Japanese and English text.
Source: Anji Salz
Images: Anji Salz, matidaruse@Twitter




Country kimono! Project completes set of over 200 designs for every nation at Tokyo Olympics【Pics】
Japanese sailor suit school uniform gets an upgrade with traditional kimono details
This Tokyo kimono and Tokyo Tower-view cafe experience will keep you cool in more ways than one
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
The massive Pokémon card public art display going on in Japan right now is a thing of beauty【Pics】
Sadako now has her own YouTube channel, hopes to upload videos about her daily life
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Japanese osechi New Year’s meal lucky bag gives us way more than we bargained for
12 Japanese MLB players to be honored with manhole lids across the country
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
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
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Leave a Reply