Let's draw! Summary of ideas for the sports festival panel

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

That sense of unity at sports days and athletics festivals is wonderful, isn’t it? Aiming for victory together, cheering as one… just imagining it fires me up.

Now, when it comes to items that really elevate that feeling, nothing beats the team’s signature panels! With a cool illustration or powerful words at your back, your energy for the events goes way up! In this article, we’ve compiled design ideas for athletics festival panels that we hope will help anyone in charge of creating them.

Be sure to use it as a reference!

Let's draw! Ideas for sports festival panels (11–20)

Lion vs. Wolf

Sports festivals often come with an intense sense of rivalry.

This “Lion vs.

Wolf” idea is a perfect design to convey that competitive spirit.

We recommend depicting the lion and the wolf facing each other from the sides.

That way, you can express the feeling of confrontation and boost the impact.

You could also try different pairings, like a tiger and a dragon, instead of the lion and the wolf!

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Ryo

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samurai

How about expressing strength and momentum with a panel featuring a samurai, modeled on the image of one brandishing a sword and facing the enemy? A samurai with a sword hanging at his waist gives off a cool vibe, but since a school sports festival is all about building focus for the events, we recommend a samurai with his sword drawn to emphasize power.

A design where the samurai stares straight toward us with his sword drawn, paired with a composition that creates depth—sharp eyes and a background spreading out behind him—should convey a sense of dynamism.

The angle of the sword in his hand and the expansiveness of the background can further accentuate the samurai’s strength.

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kappamaki

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golden eagle

When it comes to the kings of birds of prey, the Steller’s sea eagle reigns supreme.

With a wingspan of over two meters, it’s one of the largest eagles in Japan! Its striking black, white, and yellow coloration makes it really stand out, which is why it’s a perfect idea for a school sports festival panel.

A bold illustration of a soaring eagle laid out together with the festival slogan would look awesome! The key to a clean, impressive look is carefully rendering the details—each feather, the talons, and the beak.

It also pairs perfectly with brush-style lettering, so if you want to convey strength, combining it with kanji would really make it pop.

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miyabi

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Kabuki

It could also be a good idea to use kabuki, a traditional performing art beloved since ancient times, as a motif.

When you think of kabuki, you picture the white-painted makeup, right? Designing around that will create a striking visual impact.

The tricky part is deciding which kabuki scene to depict.

You could draw the mie—the dramatic pose where the actor freezes with an intense expression—or imagine and illustrate kabuki performers taking part in a sports day.

Either way, that powerful atmosphere is sure to give your team a boost.

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yamamoto

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Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan, which originated as a manga and later expanded into novels and an anime.

This dark fantasy follows humanity’s desperate search for survival while being chased by man-eating Titans, and its striking art style is widely recognized, especially among younger audiences.

How about using a parody of it for your sports festival panel idea? The font of the Attack on Titan title is also distinctive, so just mimicking that can easily create an authentic feel.

Give it a try!

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Yuuki

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A student’s back

The backs of students are almost a symbol of youth.

They gradually grow taller, develop into a sturdier, more masculine build, or a rounder, more feminine figure…

The growth during school years is truly remarkable, isn’t it? How about boldly expressing that dramatic growth—something we seldom feel once we’re adults—on a sports festival panel? Also, since you don’t have to draw faces with back views, this idea can be handy when you’re pressed for time and need to finish quickly!

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Yuuki

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Let's draw! Ideas for sports festival panels (21–30)

Night Parade of One Hundred Demons

If you want a cool or dark vibe, designing a Hyakki Yagyō is recommended.

Hyakki Yagyō refers to a procession where a wide variety of yōkai roam in a line.

Thanks to anime and manga, many people may associate it with being “strong” or “cool.” If you’re unsure how to depict it since these creatures don’t exist in reality, try referencing the Hyakki Yagyō scroll paintings or the illustrations of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki.

The sight of various yōkai forming a procession can also convey a message of unity and solidarity.

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yamamoto

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