The Chibi Tarot!

Pixelsmith

Hi All!

My name is Adam Blodgett and I'm the author and artist of the Chibi Tarot.

The Chibi Tarot is a fusion of my interests: art, the occult and pop culture. It is an interesting and exciting combination of old world European archetypes fused with elements of contemporary Asian pop culture. And most importantly of all, it's really cute!

But please don't dismiss this deck as frivolous! It's a serious deck designed for divination on a professional or amateur level. Its symbols and influences have a long and dedicated history. Much like the Mary El tarot the Chibi Tarot's primary structural ancestors are the Waite Smith, The Thoth and Marseilles decks. Another strong influence in my tarot experience is Sergio Toppi's “Tarot of the Origins”, whose simplicity and spartan revisioning of the primal tarot has inspired me to question the need for the occult symbolism, cut away and challenge traditional interpretations when I can (currently most notable in the demotion of the magician from warlock to street hustler: http://chibitarot.com/major-arcana/i-the-magician/).

Over these old school tarot bones I am stretching a skin of Asian influences. Comic books, cartoons and video games are the most notable influences, and possibly within those influences Shigeru Miyamoto's Mario Brothers, in all its various incarnations but most strongly in its 8 and 16 bit versions Super Mario Brothers and Super Mario Brothers 3, are its heaviest visual influences, though I reserve the right to draw from all corners of the manga and anime universe! Beyond the borders of popular culture, I am also exploring what kind of synergy the combination of the European tarot and Asian culture might come up with. A strong example is in the Hermit, whose conflation with the mystical Japanese Yamabushi Tengu bore a very interesting and beautiful fruit: http://chibitarot.com/major-arcana/ix-the-hermit/

I know that I am not the first deck designer to do explore the combination of Asian culture within the confines of the tarot, and I may in some cases be reinventing the wheel, but I'll be doing it for myself, and that's important to me. I hope that along the journey I can create something unique, useful and beautiful, and I'd love to share that journey with you, here in the forum, on the blog and wherever it may find me.

If you'd like more info on the deck check out the website first: http://www.chibitarot.com

If you'd like to know more about publication dates and where I see the Chibi Tarot going in general, check out the about page: http://chibitarot.com/about/

If you'd like to follow the deck on Facebook, you can like us here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chibi-Tarot/120598004685010

If you'd prefer your updates via Twitter, find me here: https://twitter.com/#!/thechibitarot/

If you have any questions use this thread, that's what it's here for!

Thanks all! Looking forward to sharing the journey with you!

Adam
 

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Pixelsmith

Stickers!

Hey Everyone! Our stickers arrived today! You can get 'em hot and fresh (and cheap!) at our lil' Chibi Shop: http://chibitarot.com/shop/

I hope you like 'em!
 

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Tomsde

Very nice work, I'd like to add this deck to my collection some day.
 

Pixelsmith

Thanks!

Hey Tom - Thanks for the input. I hope you'll be able to add the majors only next year.

Cheers,
A.
 

Yineth

Goodness, this deck is too cute! I can definitely see this deck used for when (if I ever) read for children. The images are very friendly and inviting :)

Edit: That's it. {Throws money} I want this deck now. :p
 

Shade

I love that Death is wearing a fez.
 

Bhavana

I am not a big fan of cute, but I do like this!! I'd definitely add it to my collection if it becomes a full, 78 card deck.
 

Catmoon

Don't hurry too much, I'm kind of broke LOL
European cry sis LOL
But I love it, yes I do!!!!!!!!!
 

Pixelsmith

Bhavana - Thanks! I don't want the deck to be overly saccharine, but I do want it to be fun and energetic, so it sounds like I'm striking the right balance. The 78 card deck won't be around for a couple of years, but I'll let you know when it comes out!

Catmoon - Thank you! I'll be sure and wait til you're loaded before we do the kickstarter :D