New York Based Anime Streetwear Clothing

Since 2015, Imouri has been an Anime Streetwear brand dedicated to designing clothing and accessories that emphasize originality through the aesthetics of Japanese anime. Original character, Imouri-Chan, serves to help anime fans find their reason to smile.

The Motto From Day 1: Original Anime Streetwear

OUR TIMELINE BEGINS IN 2015 (SWIPE LEFT)

DEC. 2015 - CONCEPT

The idea to start a brand where Ryan could make t-shirts that captured the aesthetics of anime would soon become a passion project for the next year to follow.

SEP. 2016 - LAUNCH

After nearly a year of planning and designing, the brand launches under the alias Sugoi Shirts and is officially formed into a business.

OCT. 2017 - VIRALITY

Remember when "Omae wa mou shindeiru" was a thing? A hoodie playing on the meme thrust the brand into Internet fame with creators like Mr. Beast & Pokimane showing support for the brand.

MAY. 2019 - REBRAND

After an extensive rebranding process, the original store alias is dropped and the mascot Imouri-Chan is introduced as face of the brand. This is the start of Imouri as it is know today.

AUG. 2021 - RACING

Imouri Racing, a subdivision of Imouri enters the sim-racing arena and Ryan's 2014 WRX is unveiled as an itasha project to be brought on tour to conventions.

MAR. 2022 - CHIBI CHAINS

Imouri launches a subscription box that expands on the Imouri art with a unique chibi keychain delivered in each box monthly.

  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2019
  • 2021
  • 2022

BEHIND THE BRAND

RYAN

Owner & Lead Designer

Ryan is responsible for designing all of the products you see available on imouri.com.

@imourishop

IMOURI IS A TEAM EFFORT

CDS

Character Illustrator

CDS plays a pivotal role in helping bring Imouri-Chan to life.

@CDSTUDIOS

JOE

Marketing Partner

Joe assists in launching marketing campaigns and analytics.

@MIENGETSU

JADE

Community Manager

Jade communicates with Brand Ambassadors, Discord and more.

@RICINCAKES

MISHA & RINON

Brand Assistant

Misha aids in a bit of it all. Design, conventions, fulfillment & more.

@CREATURES.N.CURIOSITIES
YOU ARE SOMEONE'S REASON TO SMILE.
YOU ARE SOMEONE'S REASON TO SMILE.
YOU ARE SOMEONE'S REASON TO SMILE.
YOU ARE SOMEONE'S REASON TO SMILE.
YOU ARE SOMEONE'S REASON TO SMILE.
YOU ARE SOMEONE'S REASON TO SMILE.

BEYOND THE PRODUCT

A MESSAGE FROM RYAN

You Are Someone's Reason To Smile.

This is the ethos of Imouri. I want the brand to serve as a constant reminder that by doing the things that are meaningful to you, in turn, they are seen as meaningful to others. No matter how trivial or small they may seem in the grand scheme of things, what you do matters to someone out there.

To be honest, I've struggled with this idea for a long time until recently. Although I've been fortunate to find some level of success with Imouri, I quite often found myself thinking about the bigger picture. What is it that Imouri is actually contributing to society? Why am I even doing this?

In 2019, when Imouri rebranded and Imouri-Chan, our mascot, came to life, that all changed.

I knew that I wanted the brand to serve as an outlet for anime fans (including myself) to look to as inspiration in finding their own reason to smile. To find purpose, meaning, joy and comfort in daily life. To try the things that excite you, to wear the clothes that you like to, and authentically do the things that make you original, unique. The thought that, just maybe, through Imouri -- the designs, the character, the messaging -- I can somehow help bring more smiles, more feelings of self-fulfillment, it truly gives me a greater sense of purpose.

Maybe I've just watched too many slice of life anime (thanks, Makoto Shinkai), but I've always found them so beautiful in how they make "regular life" seem not so regular when you try reflecting inward on yourself from a different perspective. Everyone's life is unique and that's something worth celebrating and smiling about.