Hatsune Miku Gets a Traditional Japanese Makeover for New Hokusai Collab Nendoroid
Image by James RichardsonPre-orders have officially opened for Good Smile Company’s new Hatsune Miku Nendoroid inspired by legendary Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, transforming Miku’s familiar appearance through a design filled with traditional Japanese art influences.
The “Nendoroid Hatsune Miku: Katsushika Hokusai Collaboration Ver. (Rella)” is based on original artwork by illustrator Rella and was first shown in painted form earlier this week, with its full accessories, price and release details now confirmed.
The figure comes from the wider “Katsushika Hokusai x Hatsune Miku” project, which brings the Piapro Characters together with artwork created by one of the most influential artists of Japan’s Edo period.
Hokusai is best known internationally for his ukiyo-e woodblock prints, with his Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji series containing some of the most recognizable pieces of Japanese art ever produced, including The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Fine Wind, Clear Morning.
Rella joined the project in July 2026 with a new set of illustrations inspired by four works from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, creating individual designs for Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO and KAITO.
The project had previously featured a separate collection of Hokusai-inspired artwork by iXima, which was used across canvas prints, clothing, pouches, postcards and other merchandise released earlier in 2026.
Rella’s artwork will also form part of the upcoming “Polaris: Icons and Artists Across Time” exhibition at the Printing Museum in Tokyo, where the modern Piapro Character illustrations will be displayed alongside reproductions of Hokusai’s original works.
For Miku’s design, Rella draws heavily from The Great Wave off Kanagawa, turning the movement and white foam of Hokusai’s famous waves into part of her long twin-tails and clothing.
Deep blue, turquoise and white run throughout the Nendoroid, combining colors associated with Miku with the palette of the original woodblock print while giving her usual futuristic appearance a much stronger traditional Japanese influence.
Good Smile has carried much of the detail from Rella’s full illustration into the smaller 10cm tall Nendoroid format, with the flowing wave shapes continuing through Miku’s hair and outfit instead of being reduced to printed decoration.
Three interchangeable face plates are included, giving owners a smiling expression, a sideways-glancing smile and a playful face with Miku sticking out her tongue.
A traditional brush is included among the optional parts, giving the figure another direct connection to the artwork behind the collaboration while opening up additional display possibilities.
Rella has already worked on several other prominent Hatsune Miku projects, including the Hatsune Miku Symphony series and Miku’s 16th anniversary, while her “Beauty Looking Back Miku” design also received its own Nendoroid inspired by traditional Japanese art.
September has been especially busy for new Miku figures, with Good Smile also opening orders for the Hatsune Miku V6 Nendoroid based on LAM’s updated character artwork, while Kaiyodo recently revealed an elaborate Goldfish Ver. scale figure and a Revoltech release based on the infamous Shiteyanyo meme.
The “Nendoroid Hatsune Miku: Katsushika Hokusai Collaboration Ver. (Rella)” is priced at ¥8,500 (approximately $54 USD / £41 GBP), with shipping scheduled for April 2027.
Pre-orders are now open through the official Good Smile Company Online Store and reputable hobby goods retailers such as HobbyLink Japan.
Orders placed directly through Good Smile will also include a pair of exclusive stickers featuring new illustrations by Rella.
If you enjoyed this article, you can see more from us directly in your Google feed by adding us as a preferred source.
This post may contain affiliate links, and Essential Japan may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
