Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. In past inquiries, we have told people that using them in class newsletters, for gift wrapping, and on stickers for personal enjoyment is fine. You can think of them as easy to use for things you enjoy within common-sense limits, such as handouts made by individuals or schools.

If you're unsure about handing them out at an event, or about a use that will be seen by a wide audience, it's safest to consult us in advance and tell us how you plan to use them.

Yes. You can use them as a social media icon. We have also generally told people it's fine to use variations they adjusted themselves based on the original illustration, or arranged versions drawn by a friend.

Yes. In past consultations, we have also said that use on restaurant signs, as part of a logo mark, on food labels, and on stickers for prepared foods is allowed. In particular, when the PIYOTASO character itself isn't the main feature of the product and is used for information or decoration, it's an easy case to judge as fine.

Yes. In past consultations, we have also said they can be used for VTuber activities and in Scratch. However, for public uses like these, we ask that you add a credit so people can tell you're using PIYOTASO illustrations.

There's no fixed required position. Anywhere viewers can easily find it is fine, such as your profile, the work's description, the end of an introduction, the back of a book, or a video description.

For media like e-books or PDFs, we have said that a spot such as the end of the introduction or the back of the book is also fine.

Yes. In past inquiries, we have generally said that all of these are fine: layering glasses on top, adding a black outline, adding a collar or small accessories, changing the expression, and so on. However, please refrain from depictions that seriously damage the character's image.

Yes. For cases like wanting to use an icon a friend drew based on the original design, or wanting to add more expressions, items, or poses while keeping the same character design, we have generally said the use itself is fine.

Yes, you can. In past exchanges, we have said they can be used for embroidery, punch needle, making accessories, selling worksheets, and so on.

Yes. In our guidance so far, we have said that Guest Artist illustrations can basically be treated under the same rules. They aren't separated from the regular illustrations and specially prohibited; they're judged within the overall usage policy.

If you're selling goods that put the PIYOTASO characters themselves front and center, or if the artwork is the core of the work, please plan on including a credit. When you include a credit, we'd ask you to put it somewhere buyers can easily check, such as the sales page, the work's description, or the back of the book.

On the other hand, for items for sale where the PIYOTASO illustrations aren't the main feature, such as worksheets or product labels, there are cases where we have said no credit is needed. For example, no credit is needed when you use them as illustrations in a book or as part of advertising you were paid to make.

Yes. In past consultations, we have said we can take on paid illustration requests for VTubers and requests for original work. Specific fees and conditions vary depending on the request, so please contact us with your intended use and what you'd like.

Yes. You can also consult us about additional work based on existing illustrations. However, if the original illustration was made quite a long time ago, we may not be able to fully reproduce the style and production setup of that time, so the feel may change somewhat.

If it's important to you that it looks close to the existing art, we recommend telling us the pose and use you have in mind as specifically as possible.