MILAN
DESIGN WEEK
2025
THE STORY OF
"WARBIE PLUSHY"
It all began in 2008 with the creation of "Cheez…z", a short animated film by artist Arut Tantasirin. The film tells the story of Yama, a kindly old man, as he attempts to photograph Warbie, a mischievous yellow bird. Since its debut, the animation has traveled to film festivals, movie theaters, and art museums across the U.S., earning an impressive collection of awards.
In 2014, Warbie Yama's first set of digital stickers (emoticons) was launched on LINE, a widely used communication app. Along with the artist’s continued artistic creations and humorous yet heartwarming storytelling, the lovable characters quickly won over audiences, propelling Warbie Yama to international fame and leading to exhibitions and events worldwide.
A drawing of "Warbie" by artist Arut Tantasirin (2014)
"Warbie will be with you."
Launched in 2016, Warbie Plushy marked the first time Warbie truly came to life. After receiving numerous requests from audiences who had fallen in love with Warbie, Arut set out to create an art piece that people could own, hug, carry, and smile at. The development took about a year, with a dedicated team carefully crafting every intricate detail. “The piece had to feel alive and appealing so that Warbie’s soul could truly exist,” said Arut, the artist and creator of Warbie Yama.
The first batch of Warbie Plushy sold out shortly after its launch, delighting both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Today, Warbie Plushies continue to bring joy to people across different countries and cultures.
"It is an unexpected but optimistic masterpiece—a small thing we share with the world."