Apr 30, 2026 22:02:00

A report on the 6-session 'Doodling Illustrations Together' creative arts workshop held at Ibaraki Elementary School's after-school children's class.

This is a report on the illustration and manga creation club, 'Let's all doodle together,' which the editor-in-chief of GIGAZINE diligently ran as a Wednesday class at

the after-school children's program at Ibaraki Elementary School from January to March 2026.

As you can see from the time-lapse video of the first session of the course below, something incredible happens every time in just the 1 hour and 30 minutes from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.


This is the final piece we created from the first to the sixth session. It's a collaborative work where we all spent an hour and a half chatting and laughing, drawing and erasing repeatedly.

◆1st: Wednesday, January 14th

◆2nd session: Wednesday, January 21st

◆3rd: Wednesday, February 18th

◆4th: Wednesday, February 25th

◆5th: March 4th (Wednesday)

◆6th: March 11th (Wednesday)

Everyone is incredibly serious. The more lively and enthusiastic the discussion becomes, the quieter the actual classroom becomes. That's because everyone is so absorbed in it.

We held this event once before in August as '

Illustration and Manga Creation Club 'Doodling Illustrations Together' Capas Day 2025 Summer After Report ,' but as a new course that suddenly appeared in the third term of 2025 for elementary schools, it naturally had zero recognition, and we were confident that 'not many people would apply.' However, in reality, it has become a very popular course with over 20-30 applicants for the 6 available slots each time! Thank you to everyone who applied!

The results of the lottery are posted up like this. The editor-in-chief of GIGAZINE is also in charge of safety management at the after-school children's classes every Monday, so people from other after-school children's classes say things like, 'Wow, there are so many applicants! It's super popular! Amazing!'

Basically, this is the iPad and Apple Pencil combination we use every Wednesday in our creative club, as follows. We've been using the iPads that are kept in the equipment room for GIGAZINE's previous reviews.

We printed out instructions like this for how to use the drawing chat and distributed them to everyone, explaining everything clearly. So even beginners can feel at ease. In fact, since everyone is a beginner, it's practically essential. Even elementary school students who have never done this kind of drawing before can get a rough idea of how to use it in about 30 minutes.

A mobile monitor was also set up so that everyone's situation could be monitored, and other children passing by were so intrigued that they rushed over, exclaiming, 'What's this?!'

This course is a first attempt, so we've been constantly changing the settings, rearranging the desks and chairs, and going through a lot of trial and error, but it's coming along quite well, and from next time onwards, we should be able to gradually add in some IT literacy, smartphone literacy, and AI literacy.

As you can see, it was a great success, so we're planning to hold the Creative Arts workshop again in June and July 2026 at the after-school children's classroom at Ibaraki Elementary School! The target grade level is 3rd grade and above, no materials are needed, and participation is free! It's open to elementary school students attending Ibaraki Elementary School, so when the application period comes, please apply by lottery as instructed by the school!