We at Maniacs truly appreciate quality artwork when we see it. Especially when it features our favourite characters from some of the best TV series!

We recently picked up on Tokyo-based, French designer Mike Wrobel (aka Moshi-Kun), the founder of Moshi Studio in Tokyo, after he created a whole series of 90’s themed Game Of Thrones characters which you have no doubt spotted floating around the internet by now!

You HAVE seen these right!?

Mike has been very busy in the studio bringing us the best of contemporary pop culture artwork and we were lucky enough to get him to answer some of the questions which have been burning away in our minds since we saw his work!

So, without further ado, here’s our Q&A with Mike Wrobel!

1. You are originally from France, how did you end up in Tokyo?

I was just tired of my life. You know, you wake up one day and you realize you need a change, some adventure… I couldn’t stand anymore living the same routine every day. So i gave up everything and left for Tokyo, a cityI’vealways been attracted to.


2. What made you take an interest in graphic design? Did you study for it?

Well, it started when i was really young. As a kid i was quite shy. I found that drawing comic strips helped me to express my feelings. I was also fascinated with TV, movies, and quickly had my head full of pictures, stories, etc. I needed a way to channel all this imagination. After college i studied 3 years at a graphic design school.


3. You did a series of ‘90s style Game Of Thrones pieces. How did you come up with this idea?

I came up with this idea naturally. GoT is extremely popular and there’s a massive collection of fan art.

I wanted to contribute too, but was not interested in doing the same stuff, reproducing the characters with their armour, swords, etc… I was a kid in the 80s, a teen in the 90s, I grew up with pop culture and developed my interest for it. This nostalgia is a motor in my work. GoT being a dark fantasy show, I just thought it would be funny and quirky to have all the characters set in a contemporary period with some really colorful clothes.

4. Are you a fan of the TV series and/or books? Which is your favourite character?
I am a fan of the show, but honestly didn’t know the books. My favourite charachter is probably Bronn, since he doesn’t really run for any house. He’s a mercenary, he’s just helping Tyrion. And he doesn’t take anything seriously, he’s always cool.

5. Which tools/programs do you use to create your artwork?

I mostly work on Photoshop. I don’t like illustrator much, the software is a bit “cold” and I prefer the PS interface.

6. Do you have any advice for others who are interested in getting into design?
I deeply believe that Culture is inherent to design. If you want to speak to people through your work, you need to know what makes the world today, made the world yesterday, you need to know references, codes… Knowledge in arts, movies, music, technology, politics, food… will make your art alive and more powerful. So, keep being interested in things as much as you can.

7. What do you predict is going to happen in the last few episodes of Breaking Bad?
Difficult to say, but I just hope Walter is not gonna die. I don’t like when writers end up with their character dying, it’s too easy to get rid of the problem. It’s a lot more challenging when the character has to face and deal with the consequences. Anyway, I can’t wait to find out.

8. Are you into music? If so, what have you been listening to lately?
I am a fan of grunge music. I grew up with Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins. Lately I’ve been listening to some NIN, Kavinsky, and when I work, a chill out radio on iTunes with stuff like Zero 7, Morcheeba, Hooverphonic….

9. Are you a fan of horror films? If so, which ones?
I love horror movies. I think James Wan did an amazing job with Insidious and lately The Conjuring. Also recently, i watched the remake of Evil Dead, which was not bad at all. And loved the very unexpected The Cabin in the Woods. I love especially the good old fashioned horror movies from the 80s and 90s, when they were still using latex prosthetics and make-up like The Thing, The Blob, The Fly, Dawn of the Dead…

10. Do you ever listen to heavy metal? If so, which bands do you like?
Not that much recently but I listened to Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns…

11. What makes you a Maniac?
I sure am a movie maniac. I am also a maniac about my interior design. I will spend weeks to find the perfect orange mug to match the same orange pillow.

You can check out more of Mike’s awesome artwork over on his blog, official website or Facebook!