The Hong Kong pixel artist going viral for his nostalgic Instagram art
From Game Boy memories to a surprise DM from Jimmy O. Yang, Fatbeard’s work is taking over
On Instagram feeds cluttered with polished 3D renders and AI-generated everything, the retro charm of pixel art cuts through like a glitch in the matrix. And right now, one of the genre’s rising online stars just happens to be a 33-year-old Hongkonger.
For ex-gamers, or frankly anyone who grew up in the glow of a Game Boy screen, a single post by the creator known as Fatbeard delivers an instant dopamine hit of nostalgia.
He just went viral (thanks, Jimmy O. Yang)
Until recently, Fatbeard’s art mostly reached only a loyal following of gamers, artists and Japanophiles, with the odd viral post. His most recent traffic spike? Courtesy of none other than Hong Kong darling Jimmy O. Yang.
Earlier this year, the comedian and actor slid into his DMs after seeing one of his posts: a lovingly rendered 7-Eleven in front of Mount Fuji. The two struck up a conversation about collaborating on a tour poster. “Jimmy mentioned he loved the ‘old’ Hong Kong,” Fatbeard says, referring to an interview where Yang reminisced about leaving the city aged 13. “Since Jimmy has a global audience, I wanted to showcase the authenticity of the city and show people how amazing it can be.”