"Summer Lesson" Fan Art Contest

This was the 12th illustration contest. This contest had over 850 submissions. The theme for this contest was communication between you, the tutor and the characters from the popular VR game, “Summer Lesson”, Hikari Miyamoto and Allison Snow. With so many excellent illustrations, screening was quite difficult. However, the illustrations where we could feel the realist nature of the two characters or illustrations that captured the essence of the in-game world how the creators intended were deemed prizeworthy.

Pen Name:OmeNo
Country:Thailand
Title:Summer Song

Comment

This illustration really touches the heart, it makes me wonder, ‘What would it be like if these two met...?’.

I can really feel the warmth of a summer breeze from each gentle brush stroke. You have a unique painting style, no wonder so you’re so popular. The characters’ expressions are superb and the way you describe the 3D in-game world of Summer Lesson captivates people who have or even haven’t played the game.

From their expressions, you can really see that they are enjoying summer. I love your attention to detail, it can be seen in the way you drew the clothing and the softness of their skin and hair.

Your drawing skills are excellent. Plus, you directly adapted the motifs into your illustration. I can see why you have so many likes.

Pen Name:AoChoku
Country:Indonesia
Title:Summer Memory

Comment

The composition of this illustration is excellent, it's very well balanced. I can really tell how much you love ‘Summer Lesson’, this illustration really left an impression on me.

As a part of the visual production development team, I’m really impressed with this illustration. The attention to small,intricated items and details such as the smart phone icons, shows how much you observed the game and the effort you put into creating this illustration.

The illustration’s layout is quite impressive. Posing the characters and using perspective the way you did, couldn’t have been easy. This illustration utilizes advanced drawing techniques while at the same time encases you in a feeling of warmth, this is truly an outstanding illustration.

3rd place

Pen Name:harry75
Country:Taiwan
Title:cultural exchange?

Comment

We don’t see this type of illustration very often in Japan. I really took interest in your unique style. The 3D accent really gives this illustration an interesting touch.

I love how Allison is teach Hikari how to play the guitar, it warms the heart. Even though they come from different backgrounds, they look as if they were sisters.

This illustration was drawn with great attention to detail. The shading is magnificent, it makes the illustration feel so realistic.The lens filter-like effect and the technical aspects of this illustration makes it a sight to behold.
4th place

Pen Name:Sinlaire
Country:Indonesia
Title:Outdoor class

Comment

This is a very artistic and powerful illustration. The charming composition echoes in the heart of the viewer. This illustration seems to have been drawn by someone who is used to creating various types of art.

The color of the ocean is beautiful. The whole illustration has pale tint to it which gives it a dreamy-like feel to it. With the tutor and Allison at the beach, it makes think of what other new adventures await them. This illustration makes me think of possible spin-off stories for ‘Summer Lesson’.

First and foremost, this is a beautiful illustration. I want to make this my PC wallpaper. I love how it has the essence of it being hand drawn. I want to see Hakari in an illustration like this.
5th place

Pen Name:LiyanaK
Country:Malaysia
Title:Two Paths,One Summer

Comment

I wonder if among all the entries this is the coolest illustration of the tutor (player). (laughs) The relatioship of both characters and the player as the tutor, is something that can't be seen in the VR game "Summer Lesson", however, a glimbs of this dramatic world of "Summer Lesson" can be seen in this image.

Did you know that, when you play the 7-day world of "Summer Lesson" and you clear the game, you receive a "Carry-over note" as an item? Have you ever thought about who got this note from whom?

Summer Lesson" is this kind of mysterious world and this image is pointing this out nicely.

Pen Name:37
Country:Philippines
Title:Thank you, Teacher

This illustration has a very simple and straightforward theme. The look in the eyes on Allison, when she is peeking towards you is really attractive.

The length and beauty of her fingers are one thing. The hands of musicians. The action of peeking towards you is one feature that is majorly adopted in VR game, and Summer lesson. Illustrator might have had this in mind.
Pen Name:Ehtii.
Country:Taiwan
Title:sunflowerr

At first glance, I was caught off guard at the smile of Allision, and its really adorable.

The straw hat suits her really well, and the illustration conveys that it is not only happy to meet her in VR, but Allison is also interested in meeting the teacher(player).
Pen Name:Rokku
Country:Hong Kong
Title:horizon

Personally, I really love this picture. The feeling of the colors, along with the skill of drawing the fluidity in the waves and the clouds, the atmosphere feels as if the two of them are inviting the viewer into the `Pictured World`. As an illustration for a VR-game it makes your heart pound.

I strongly feel the originality with this fresh take on the hair arrangements. The drawing skill is perfect.
Pen Name:JINKO
Country:Malaysia
Title:一緒に花火を見にいきましょう！

The gentle use of color and the expression of using the blue light, makes you feel the fantasy-like atmosphere, and creates a very special world, doesn't it.

You can feel the artistic sense in how the coloring is done and the details drawn on the yukata are very cute. Hikari-chan`s expression really lets you feel the pure enjoyment of hers in this adorable illustration.
Pen Name:Cocoroll
Country:Thailand
Title:Summer Memory

Amongst the applicants, this illustration had the most "unique perspective". Allison in the sunset with her blue shining eyes seemed very mysterious. It feels like it's a bit different from the original "summer lesson" world, but at the same time, shows another side of her, making it attractive.

I'm curious about what the author is thinking about the world of summer lesson, and would love to see other piece of works.
Pen Name:WilliamXu
Country:Hong Kong
Title:Play!

Maybe the two visited Akihabara? The way blue color is used is prominent, and the painting is creating a good atmosphere.

Hikari's pose and slanted composition is creating a sense of uplifting. It seems likes the creator is illustrate how energetic and motivated Hikari is visiting here.
Pen Name:Innemori
Country:Australia
Title:Warmth, without words

Night time sky during summer is very beautiful, combination of Japan like silent atmosphere matches really well with the fancy illustration. When Hikari combs her hair with her hands, its attractive.

Though it is the same fireworks scene in the game, it feels like a totally different perspective. It feels like this piece of illustration is perfected and that can it be used as it is into a poster.
Pen Name:Rudy Sumarso
Country:Indonesia
Title:Melt My Heart

Hikari's energetic and silly character is delivered clearly! Active characteristics of her is portrayed really well. Composition itself was also challenging and the creator's dedication can be seen through it.

The summer-like details of all the small items are creating the enjoyable atmosphere of 'Summer Lesson'.
Pen Name:로힐
Country:South Korea
Title:softball in summer lesson

This image so clearly shows Hikari-chan in such a dynamic pose and with a distinct cel-shading, however, the most empathetic thing about it would be her swinging the bat dangerously close to her tutor. (laughs)

When making this scene, we repeatedly adjusted the details and aimed to make it feel scary, even though the bat isn't quite close enough to hit anything. It's great, that this scene, just as it is drawn in the image has become a memorable thing.
Pen Name:Zetssubou
Country:Peru
Title:Sushi Lesson

Allison with sushi was not something one could come up with easily. The atmosphere of the illustration is very beautiful and is easy to imagine the theme: tropical summer.

It is that Allison really loves Japanese food, and being sushi seems to be a perfect fit with her. I would love to enjoy sushi with Allison at a beach as beautiful as this. Selfie-like angle is really artistic.

Pen Name:포푸르P/ポプル
Country:South Korea
Title:[先生~この部分もう一度説明してもらえますか??<;)ww]
Pen Name:Nieceychan
Country:United Kingdom
Title:Taking a break with Allison Snow
Pen Name:野雲
Country:Taiwan
Title:近在眼前
Pen Name:雁冰
Country:Taiwan
Title:放晴
Pen Name:NAK
Country:Thailand
Title:Are you thirsty?
Pen Name:KD
Country:China
Title:Miyamoto Hikari
Pen Name:LasterK
Country:Taiwan
Title:午後時光s
Pen Name:pocketbee
Country:United States
Title:Take a selfie with me, Sensei!
Pen Name:mechaFROG
Country:Malaysia
Title:Take a break
Pen Name:神境
Country:Taiwan
Title:炎熱夏日
Pen Name:Dauslosaurus
Country:Malaysia
Title:Smol Street Performance
Pen Name:Cwilock
Country:Canada
Title:HELLOEXE
Pen Name:Colorful pepper
Country:Taiwan
Title:【夏日課程】豆豆丁
Pen Name:OmeNo
Country:Thailand
Title:beautiful morning
Pen Name:37
Country:Philippines
Title:Student
Pen Name:ADSoutoArt
Country:Spain
Title:VR-Friendship
Pen Name:AnyRaiN
Country:South Korea
Title:Let's record Allison's song!
Pen Name:MaHenBu
Country:Philippines
Title:Break Time!
Pen Name:MOSTA
Country:Indonesia
Title:宮本ひかりと花火を見ます
Pen Name:KURAKA
Country:Taiwan
Title:SUMMERNIGHT
Pen Name:javb92
Country:Ecuador
Title:The world behind the world
Pen Name:張家綺
Country:Taiwan
Title:捕捉倩影
Pen Name:WeiYi
Country:Taiwan
Title:海邊的戶外教學
Pen Name:涼茶咩咩
Country:Hong Kong
Title:夏日的音色
Pen Name:Gumime
Country:Indonesia
Title:egao
Pen Name:毛
Country:Taiwan
Title:夏日小光
Pen Name:Sylphine
Country:Singapore
Title:☆ We did it! ☆

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.　"Summer Lesson" Producer and Director
Jun Tamaoki

Please explain the spirit of this contest.

"Summer Lesson" uses the technology of VR and we were able to realize the experience of "Having a character in front of your eyes and interacting with them." It's a contest based on this experience. This type of experience is conveyed by actually playing the game, so it is something that is hard to explain to people who haven't played it. We have long since thought about, how to actually express this part that is so hard to convey.
So we thought about asking all the artists out there, to express in an illustration or a manga, what the feeling is like when meeting a character in VR, talking to and having an exchange with them and what they feel doing so, while consulting with CELSYS on the contest efforts.

What was your overall impression of the entries?

First of all, we are extremely happy about the number of entries, that has exceeded our expectations. I think there is also a great amount of variety in the creations. "Summer Lesson" as a game, is usually not just purchased as a "game with girls", so I think the broad variety of the pictures also reflects the wide variety of players.
I felt that there were a lot of images that really brought out the expectations for the future of "Summer Lesson", by condensing the relationship between the character and the player in an illustration or a manga. There are a lot of people, who wish to do a number of thing with the characters they have encountered in VR and expressed their memories from the game so far. A lot of these things have been explored in the works.

Have there been any entries in particular that inspired you?

Many pieces have depicted the characters Hiraki and Allison being friends and talking together, so I think it would be great to bring these two together somehow.For the characters in "Summer Lesson", all of the processing power goes into one girl right now, so it might still be difficult to have them co-star along side each other, but I would hope that somehow, we were able to provide an exchange scene betweeMany pieces have depicted the characters Hiraki and Allison being friends and talking together, so I think it would be great to bring these two together somehow. For the characters in "Summer Lesson", all of the processing power goes into one girl right now, so it might still be difficult to have them co-star alongside each other, but I would hope that somehow, we were able to provide an exchange scene between the characters. Hikari and Allison are completely different in character, but I think they would get along well.
Also, there were a lot of images, that showed high expectations for the future of VR. I think the progress of technology is very fast, so we will continue with various activities, and I would like to increase the excitement for "Summer Lesson".

Heroines of the PlayStation®VR game, “Summer Lesson”, Hikari Miyamoto and Allison Snow. We are looking for illustrations with the theme of Communication between you, the tutor, and at least of the student characters. You can included both characters. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played the game before, just have fun and enter the contest!

Submission period has closed.

Submission Format

Illustration

Submission period

Tuesday, June 27th 2017 to Wednesday, July 19th 23:59 (JST)
Results: Thursday, August 3rd 2017 (May be subjected to change)

* The Allison Snow edition is currently exclusive to Japan.

Hikari Miyamoto

A modern day school girl who lives in a beach town.
She is a bright and optimistic young lady. Because of her friendly nature, she spent all of her time either in after school activities or with her friends.
Although this was her first time to have a tutor, she decided to make the best of the situation and began to study with the tutor for the test next week.

Hikari Miyamoto (Official Website)

Allison Snow

A singer-song writer who is caught in the American music scene.
Every day she endured the hectic life of a musician. However, one day, unaware to her entertainment manager, she suddenly leaves America.
This young woman secretly sets off for Japan, the country she had always admired.
In secret, she spends her summer by doing a homestay in an old ocean view Japanese house to study Japanese language and culture.

Allison Snow (Official Website)

Hometown: Pennsylvania, USA
Hobbies: Walking and embroidery. Cooking and trying various Japanese dishes since going to Japan.
Skills: Acoustic guitar and singing
Blood type: A

Hikari Miyamoto

Allison Snow

As a musician, when she’s in the eye of the public, she’s a young woman who sings passionately. But, in her private time she becomes gentle and calm.
Music is her life, but she doesn’t have much confidence in anything else. Prone to worrying, she has a tendency to over think things with the tutor.
Studying Japanese culture is a breath of refresh, and she enjoys do it very much. She’s really enjoying her stay in Japan, so no matter what her manager says, she’s still not ready to go back home.
She’s probably not aware of it or it could just be her devil-may-care attituded, but she has a tendency to act on impulse with considering the consequences.
This is probably same attituded which lead her to escaping to Japan.

PlayStation®VR game, “Summer Lesson” Experience this new wave of communication which can only be done in VR.
Are you ready for this life-like experience?

The second character, Allison Snow,was released in Japan on June 22nd, 2017 (JST).
In the Allison Snow Edition, relaxation from submerging yourself in beautiful scenery with the character, Allison, is one of the key focuses.