Who Is Yusuke Hanai?

Yusuke Hanai (花井祐介, born 1978) is a Japanese illustrator and artist whose relaxed, hand-drawn work blends 1950s to 1970s American counterculture and surf imagery with Japanese aesthetics. He is best known in fashion for his Vans Artist Collection capsules (2025), BEAMS and Coleman collaborations, and a series of woodblock prints made with the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints.

Research date: October 24, 2026. Hanai is an individual artist, not a clothing company, so this guide covers his artwork and collaborations. Prices are dated and sourced. Facts are marked as confirmed (publisher, retailer or official collaboration pages), third-party (media and retailer copy) or analysis (my own reading).

A note on fit for this site: Hanai is Japanese and closely tied to Japanese street and surf style through BEAMS, Vans Japan and Harajuku. He is an artist whose designs appear on products, not a label with its own collections.

Yusuke Hanai at a Glance

Introduction to Yusuke Hanai

BEAMS describes Hanai as an artist and illustrator born in 1978 who began exhibiting in California galleries and then showed work in New York, San Francisco, Sydney, London, Paris and Taiwan. He has supplied artwork to Vans, Nixon, BEAMS and the J.League club Urawa Reds (BEAMS). The Adachi Institute says his style is strongly influenced by the counterculture of the 1950s and 1960s and fuses Japanese aesthetics with American retro illustration.

His work matters to Japanese street culture because it appears on mainstream, affordable products sold through BEAMS, Vans and other retailers, as well as in galleries.

Brand History and Background

Around 2005 to 2006 he began showing at California galleries, including The Surf Gallery, and in 2007 he joined a group show called “The Happening” (Adachi). In 2022 the T&Y Projects Collection in Tokyo showed his work, his first Japanese show in five years, including his largest painting to date (200 go) and ceramic works made with Kagoshima-based potter Etsushi Noguchi (TOKION). From 2021 to 2023 he completed three modern ukiyo-e woodcut prints with Adachi.

Origin and Founding Year

There is no brand founding date. He was born in 1978. The start of his exhibiting career is given as 2005 by BEAMS and as around 2006 by Adachi, so I give it as 2005 to 2006.

Founder, Owner and Creative Director

Hanai is the sole creator. I found no company, studio ownership or creative director beyond the artist himself, and no published information about representation. Collaboration products are made and sold by partners such as Vans, BEAMS and Coleman.

Headquarters and Country of Origin

He is Japanese. I did not verify where he is currently based, so I do not state a location.

Brand Mission, Vision and Philosophy

His philosophy, quoted in Vans’ Japanese release copy, is that a small step can change the future. The Premium Old Skool in the first capsule carries the message “One Foot In Front Of The Other” (Sneakerhack). The second capsule’s graphic idea came from wanting to light up the night clouds to brighten the future (Billy’s, a Vans retailer).

Inspiration Behind the Brand

• Surf and counterculture: influences from 1950s to 1970s surf culture (Vans collection copy).
• Environment: he has long expressed concern about climate change and ocean conservation through his work, according to the Vans retailer page.
• Everyday life: his cat appears on a beanie, per BEAMS Shizuoka, and a cat looking at an autumn sky is the motif of the second Vans collection.

Yusuke Hanai and Japanese Streetwear Culture

The link is direct. Vans Japan launched the collections at Vans Store Harajuku, and BEAMS, Billy’s ENT and Vans’ online store sold them. BEAMS Shizuoka calls him highly popular on the street and internationally recognized. This is the clearest streetwear connection in this batch of guides. See our Brands section for other Japanese labels.

Brand Growth Timeline

Signature Style and Design Identity

• Look: hand-drawn, playful illustrations with a vintage American feel.
• Colors: the first Vans capsule used a “Stormy Weather” grey, the color of a cloudy sky before a storm, as its key shade.
• Details: hand-drawn sidestripe and foxing line on the shoes, and artwork visible through a clear sole on the Authentic (Vans Japan copy).

Popular Collections and Product Categories

• Footwear: Vans Premium Old Skool and Premium Authentic 44.
• Apparel: short-sleeve tees, long-sleeve tee, hoodie, woven shorts.
• Accessories: cap, beanie, tote bag.
• Art products: woodcut prints with Adachi, ceramics (2022), and Coleman outdoor products with BEAMS.

Seasonal Collections and Drops

Releases come as capsule collaborations. The two Vans capsules were released in May and November 2025, with a preview sale at Vans Store Harajuku the day before each general release.

Latest Collection and Upcoming Releases

The latest verified release is the second Vans Artist Collection capsule in November 2025 (cat-at-the-window motif). I found no announced 2026 collaboration or exhibition date in the sources I used, so I do not state one.

Limited Editions and Exclusive Drops

The first collection reportedly sold out quickly, according to BEAMS Shizuoka, which called the second a long-awaited follow-up. The woodcut prints are made in limited editions, but I did not find edition sizes or prices, so I do not state them.

Collaborations with Brands, Artists and Designers

Bestselling and Most Iconic Pieces

No sales data is published. The most visible products are the Vans Premium Old Skool and Authentic with hand-drawn art, and the back-print T-shirts that BEAMS Shizuoka highlighted.

Fabric Quality, Materials and Craftsmanship

The second Vans capsule uses organic cotton and recycled materials where possible, according to the Billy’s page for the collection. For the woodcuts, the Adachi Institute says its prints are made by master artisans using washi paper and water-based pigments with methods passed down from the Edo period.

Manufacturing Location and Production Process

Not verified. Apparel and shoes are made by Vans under its supply chain, and the woodcuts are printed at Adachi in Tokyo. I make no further claims.

Logo, Branding and Signature Details

There is no logo. The hand-drawn illustration style and the name act as the brand. On products, check for the “Vans Artist Collection” name and the artwork.

Pricing and Product Categories

Prices below are yen, tax included, from BEAMS, Vans Japan retailers and media at release.

Analysis: collaboration items sit in an accessible mainstream range, roughly ¥3,850 to ¥15,400, while fine-art prints are priced separately.

Sizing, Fit and Size Guide

Vans apparel was offered in S, M, L and XL, and shoes in 26 to 29 cm (BEAMS Oita). Caps, totes and beanies are free size. BEAMS Shizuoka notes a staff member of 175 cm wearing a white M tee. Check Vans Japan’s size guide for each item.

How to Style Hanai Collaboration Pieces

Analysis, not brand guidance:

• A back-print tee with shorts and the Old Skool for a beach-to-street look.
• The hoodie with relaxed trousers and the Authentic in neutral tones.
• The cap and tote as simple add-ons to plain outfits.

Target Audience and Customer Demographics

The audience includes surf, skate and street fans plus art-print collectors. I found no reliable demographic statistics, so I am not giving any.

Popularity in Japan and International Markets

The collections were sold at Vans Store Harajuku, selected Vans stores nationwide, Vans online, BEAMS and Billy’s ENT. Hanai has exhibited in the U.S., Australia, the U.K., France and Taiwan (BEAMS). I found no sales figures.

Celebrity Endorsements and Influencer Impact

He is the creator rather than an endorser. I found no verified celebrity endorsements.

Sustainability and Ethical Manufacturing

The second Vans capsule uses organic cotton and recycled materials where possible, and the artwork reflects his environmental concerns (Billy’s page). These are product descriptions from a retailer. I did not find an independent certification.

Where to Buy Authentic Products

Vans Japan stores and online store, BEAMS, Billy’s ENT and, for prints, the Adachi Institute store. Past collaboration items now appear secondhand.

Official Website and Authorized Retailers

• Collection retailers: BEAMS, Billy’s ENT and Vans Japan’s online store.
• Prints: Adachi Institute store.
• I did not verify an artist website, so I do not link one.

How to Identify Authentic Products

I found no official authentication guide. For the Vans pieces, buy from listed retailers, check the collection name and product code (for example VN000EBNBPB for the Authentic on a Vans Japan page), and compare art placement with official photos. For prints, buy from the Adachi store or a reputable gallery and ask for edition details.

Resale Market and Collectibility

I did not collect completed-sale data for Hanai items, so I give no resale prices. The first capsule reportedly sold out fast, which suggests demand, but that is not market data.

Hanai vs Other Artist-Collaboration Names

This is qualitative, and I collected no comparable prices.

Recent News and Brand Developments

• November 7 to 8, 2025: second Vans capsule launches.
• May 28 to 29, 2025: first Vans capsule launches.
• 2022: T&Y Projects exhibition in Tokyo.

I found no newer announcements from 2026.

Future Direction and Growth Potential

Analysis only, not a forecast:

• Opportunities: more capsules with Japanese retailers and a second wave of fine-art prints.
• Risks: dependence on partner schedules, and limited public information about his own business.
• Open question: whether a 2026 collaboration is announced.

Monthly and Annual Worldwide Sales and Profit Analysis

Business structure

Hanai is an individual artist. Collaboration revenue goes to Vans, BEAMS, Coleman or other partners, and the Adachi Institute is a separate publisher. No company financial statements are published for him. Vans’ parent company reports whole-group results that do not show this collaboration.

Charts

No monthly or annual sales or profit charts are provided because no reliable figures exist. I did not estimate revenue from retail prices or social media reach.

Data availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Yusuke Hanai?

A Japanese illustrator and artist born in 1978, known for surf and counterculture-inspired artwork.

What collaborations has he done?

Vans (2025), BEAMS and Coleman, Nixon and Urawa Reds, plus woodcut prints with Adachi.

How much is the Vans x Yusuke Hanai Old Skool?

¥12,650 including tax in Japan.

Where can I buy it?

Vans Japan, BEAMS and Billy’s ENT, while stock lasts. Many pieces may now be secondhand.

Is Yusuke Hanai a Japanese streetwear brand?

No. He is a Japanese artist whose illustrations appear on streetwear collaborations.

What are his woodcut prints?

Three modern ukiyo-e prints (2021 to 2023) made with the Adachi Institute using traditional techniques.

Is there financial data?

No.

What is his latest release?

The second Vans Artist Collection capsule in November 2025.

Related Reading on Street Iconic

Explore more in our Brands, Style Guides and Clothing sections.

Sources

• Adachi Institute: Yusuke Hanai
• BEAMS: Vans x Yusuke Hanai
• BEAMS: Coleman x Yusuke Hanai
• Hypebeast Japan: Vans x Hanai
• Oceans: Vans x Hanai second capsule
• Billy’s ENT: Vans x Hanai
• TOKION: T&Y Projects exhibition

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