A striking new mural honoring Michael Jackson has been unveiled in Tokyo as part of the ongoing TOKYO Mural Square project.
Titled “KING OF POP,” the artwork is the 21st installment in the public mural series and has been on display since June 22, 2026, at TOKYO Mural Square in Tokyo’s Minami-Aoyama district.
Created by artist Yuki Yamamoto of the Japanese mural collective OVER ALLs, the mural measures 2.2 meters wide by 3 meters high and celebrates Michael Jackson’s enduring influence on popular culture.
What makes this tribute particularly meaningful is the philosophy behind the TOKYO Mural Square project. Located on the exterior wall of the OVER ALLs headquarters near the busy Gaienmae intersection, the space is dedicated to depicting people and events currently making headlines. Each month, a new mural replaces the previous one, transforming the wall into a form of public media inspired by New York’s Times Square.
In a statement accompanying the mural, OVER ALLs founder and conceptor Gakuto Akazawa explained that Michael Jackson had long been one of the figures the team hoped to feature.
“At TOKYO Mural Square, we have always painted people and events that are making headlines in the moment. There are several individuals I’ve long hoped to paint there someday. Among them are people who have already departed this world. One of those people was Michael Jackson.”
Akazawa admitted that because the project focuses on current newsmakers, he never imagined there would be an opportunity to paint Michael Jackson.
“Of course, people who have passed away are no longer creating new headlines. So I never thought there would be an opportunity to paint Michael at TOKYO Mural Square.”
However, the upcoming release of the highly anticipated biopic Michael has sparked renewed global interest in the King of Pop.
“With the release of the film Michael, a new wave of Michael Jackson fever is spreading across the world once again. Even after leaving this world, he is still capable of creating new moments, new conversations, new ‘news.’ That’s why he will always be the KING OF POP.”
The mural stands as a reminder of Michael Jackson’s unparalleled cultural impact and his unique ability to inspire new generations decades after his debut and years after his passing.
The artists also shared a personal aspiration behind the project:
“We are deeply honored and grateful to have been given the opportunity to paint him. And as we painted, we carried another dream in our hearts: That one day, we too might be called the KING OF MURAL.”
TOKYO Mural Square Vol. 21 – KING OF POP
Location: TOKYO Mural Square, 2-26-35 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Display Start: June 22, 2026
Size: 2.2m × 3.0m
Credits
- Conceptor: Gakuto Akazawa (OVER ALLs)
- Artist: Yuki Yamamoto (OVER ALLs)
- Paint Support: Colorworks Kobe (Morien Co., Ltd.)
A behind-the-scenes “Making Of” video of the mural’s creation has also been shared by OVER ALLs on social media, giving fans a glimpse into the artistic process behind this tribute to the King of Pop.
As excitement continues to build worldwide for the release of Michael, Tokyo now has a new landmark celebrating the man whose influence remains as powerful as ever.
