There might not be a friendlier subject to artists than animals. With their adorable charm and fascinating quirks, they can provide a creative inspiration for everything from giant creatures that console people in trying times, to super-realistic and creepy masks. Japanese illustrator Tobihachi (@tonbippo08), however, seems to find the expressive nature and striking aesthetic of animals as a point of interest, specializing in giving them human characteristics and even nationalities in an ongoing series of brilliant artwork.

As an illustrator, Tobihachi focuses on animals and anthropomorphism. It's a little different from the gijinka we have looked at before (where Japanese Kit Kat flavors were turned into handsome anime men), in that the style specifically focuses on animals, but Tobihachi's stylish and beautiful illustrations often incorporate imagery from Japanese culture such as samurai armor, maneki-neko, and kitsune masks. The animal artist has even given some fashion that indicates their nationality or status.

If you'd like to see more of Tobihachi's wonderful work, please follow on Twitter and Tumblr. Here are some samples of the stunning work!