The 2016 edition of Shigesato Itoi's Hobonichi Techo will be released on September 1st. The highlights of the new releases include collaborations with Minä Perhonen and Anrealage. The 2015 edition of the Hobonichi Techo sold 550,000 copies in Japan alone, making it the top-selling planner at Loft, a retailer that stocks the book, for 11 consecutive years. Ahead of the release, a preview was held at TOBICHI, the Hobonichi Itoi Shimbun store and gallery in Aoyama, Tokyo, where the full lineup for the 2016 edition was unveiled, and Itoi himself spoke about the new Hobonichi Techo. The theme of the 2016 edition is "This is my LIFE." The lineup includes 82 items, including a design inspired by the classic game "MOTHER 2," which Itoi co-produced with Nintendo; a collaborative notebook with minä perhonen; a PC case produced in collaboration with Porter and "B-Jirushi YOSHID," a joint label between Beams and Yoshida Kaban; and a collaborative notebook designed by book designer Shin Sobue and manga artist Kyoko Okazaki. Among these, there was one "piece" that really made an impact on Itoi this year. It was the "Circle Case" (available in black and olive, ¥18,500 each), designed by ANREALAGE, a brand that utilizes cutting-edge technology to explore the possibilities of clothing from various angles, including "color-changing clothes" and "size-changing clothes." It's a 34cm-diameter, half-moon-shaped clutch bag that reveals a perfect circle when opened. Looking back on when the sample was presented, Itoi said, "I was surprised (laughs). I've always told the people I've worked with up until now that they could have more fun and be more free, but I was surprised at the freedom I found myself saying that to ANREALAGE. I personally thought the Hobonichi Techo was meant to be used more as a "planner." But I couldn't say, "Stop making it." That's because you can't persuade them without the soul and passion of someone other than the creator. I didn't think I could surpass the passion of the people at ANREALAGE, so I decided to accept it. Having said that, I also knew there would definitely be people who would be happy with it. Ultimately, I don't mind if people just took out the planner and used it (as a bag) (laughs). This collaboration will surely have an impact on future developments." This generosity is what Shigesato Itoi and the Hobonichi Techo are all about. Itoi continues, "Now that people are using it however they like, I can see the 'freedom' of it. Occasionally I get the question, 'I can't use my planner properly.' But you don't often hear someone say, 'I can't drive it properly, what should I do?' when they buy a sports car. It's now theirs, so it's up to them how they use it. I feel like people are finally starting to understand the 'you are the main character' feeling. Although it's called a planner, the bottom line is that I want it to be a 'container for your daily life.' If there are days when you don't write anything, that's fine. I'd be happy if, when you look back through your planner, it becomes a reflection of your life. With that in mind, this year's theme is 'This is my LIFE.'" The Hobonichi Techo was launched in 2001 as an original product of the Hobonichi Itoi Shimbun, and the 2016 edition will mark its 15th anniversary. It comes in four varieties - the paperback-sized "Original," the A5-sized "Cousin," the wallet-sized weekly planner "WEEKS," and the English version "Hobonichi Planner" - and is sold in 82 countries around the world.

In addition, to commemorate the release of the 2016 edition, an exhibition event titled "Words from the Planner Exhibition: This is my LIFE." will be held at Shibuya Loft from September 1st to 8th, showcasing the "words" that Itoi has held dear as the foundation of the "Hobonichi Techo," under a variety of themes. On the first day, the 1st, there will be a talk event with lyricist Takashi Matsumoto, where he will discuss "words" with Itoi.

【Event details】
"Words from the Diary Exhibition: This is my LIFE."
Location: Shibuya Loft 6F
Address: 18-2 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Date and time: September 1st to September 8th
Time: 10:00-21:00
Admission: Free