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Bankai

Brand Identity · Logo Design · Gastronomy

A bold and energetic brand identity for a sushi restaurant that fuses Japanese tradition with contemporary street culture.

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Challenge & Response

The Request

 Bankai is a sushi restaurant seeking to break with the stereotypical clean-cut, minimal aesthetic often seen in the category. The founders envisioned a visual identity that communicated energy, authenticity, and a raw connection to Japanese culture—without falling into clichés. They wanted the brand to stand out in a saturated market and appeal to a younger, urban audience with a taste for powerful flavors and strong aesthetics.

The Solution

We developed a visual identity centered on the concept of raw power—both in flavor and graphic language. The logo features a stylized koi fish intertwined with flames, referencing Japanese tattoo art and traditional symbolism of strength and perseverance. The dynamic vertical layout of the “BANKAI” wordmark adds rhythm and movement, while the vibrant red circle nods to the Japanese flag and the rising sun. The visual system was designed to scale across signage, packaging, apparel, and social media, creating a memorable and energetic presence across touchpoints.

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The visual direction

 Japanese folklore · Traditional irezumi (tattoo art) · Urban graphics

Bold · Authentic · Energetic

Custom illustration of the koi fish as central brand symbol

Typography with brush-texture for a handcrafted, visceral feel

Flexible brand system designed for digital and physical applications

Use of red, white and black to maintain cultural and visual coherence

We Observe

We explored the cultural depth behind Bankai’s vision, recognizing their desire to reinterpret tradition through a contemporary, powerful lens.

We Edit

Eliminated generic visual cues in favor of distinctive iconography rooted in symbolism and texture.

We Design

Created a graphic universe that elevates the brand’s voice, combining hand-drawn elements with precise typographic hierarchy.

We Refine

Tested the system across mockups and formats to ensure it retained impact from large-scale prints to digital thumbnails.

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What you see

A glimpse into the final expression of the brand.

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© Sobrelafaz. Crafted with precision & imagination.