ADVERTISEMENT

We tend to think of balloons as a b-day prop, which is fun till you turn 13. With childhood behind, these are just inflated pieces of air that sit in the attic waiting for a hero to escort them to a recycled heaven.

But the Japanese artist Masayoshi Matsumoto is proving us all wrong. This guy has been turning balloons into intricate sculptures for a decade now, proving such an unusual medium can create wonders. Every piece, which takes two to six hours to make, is made entirely from balloons with no markers, stickers or tapes allowed in the game.

Let’s take a look at some of the most mesmerizing inflated animals and insects below. After you’re done with this post, be sure to check out some more of Matsumoto’s creations in our part 1, part 2, and part 3. If you dream of picking up a needle and popping a balloon or two tonight, you’ll know why. And we can’t judge.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | Tumblr | Twitter

#1

Green Bottle Fly

Green Bottle Fly

isopresso_balloon Report

fro_st puppy
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow that's amazing, must take a lot of work.

Raine Soo
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one fly that I would like to keep around.

Zoe
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing. Wow

Mavi Hava
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the details and colors are just right

Fred and George Weasley
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

those balloon colours are so nice! its cool that they got proper colours instead of standard colours

RELATED:
    #2

    Sloth

    Sloth

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Hannah M
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how many tries that took.... It must be so infuriating working with balloons; you just get it almost done and then pop!

    fro_st puppy
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the arm pattern looks a bit like a baguette. it's an amazing sloth. and to do that with balloons must be hard. well done

    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The arm pattern looks like a challah (braided bread), not a baguette.

    Load More Replies...
    ASHLYN WEBB
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is sooo cute I think That it is the best animal/insect yet

    #3

    Quetzal

    Quetzal

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Bored Panda contacted Masayoshi Matsumoto to find out more about his unique balloon artworks. The 31-year-old from Kanagawa, Japan graduated from engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, where he received a master’s degree in 2014.

    The artist has been working on this project that he calls “realistic balloon art” for more than a decade. “I started making balloon art when I was in the juggling club 12 years ago,” he told us.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Masayoshi has been drawn to animals and insects since he was a kid. “I've liked animals since I was a child, so I mostly make art with animal themes,” he said. “As a child, I kept insects as pets, so I have an emotional attachment to my insect-themed artworks.”

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Redback Spider

    Redback Spider

    isopresso_balloon Report

    I Liek To Cute
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How to give someone a heart attack STEP ONE:

    Teak_the_FoxWing
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it looks like it has the Incredibles' symbol

    togcrewsc
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i love how he stretched the red balloon to make it a streak

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Every balloon creature takes from 3 to 6 hours to make. Masayoshi told us that he has always been inspired by wildlife pictures. “I wanted to see if I could possibly create realistic animals of my own using nothing but balloon material.”

    #8

    Bush Cricket

    Bush Cricket

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Rj
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That must have taken forEVER! That is cool!

    Annabeth Chase
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *cricket chirping as we stare in awe*

    #9

    Ring-Tailed Lemur

    Ring-Tailed Lemur

    isopresso_balloon Report

    @Daisychain
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it would be nice if they showed these like on a certain table or something so we can see how big they are! For example, if they were the size of lets say, a teacup, that would be super impressive! Or if they were the size of a small car!

    Ziya (Wenny) Liu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    these balloons are so sleek and shiny!!!

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Seahorse

    Seahorse

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Ayli Nickerson
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is super complex! Once I tried to make a ballon animal and got stuck on blowing it up LOL

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    Oarfish

    Oarfish

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Mavi Hava
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that's really cool but also kind of scary at the same time

    #12

    Pond Snail

    Pond Snail

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Hannah M
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The contours... It's so perfect

    Chrissy Neibarger
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want this so bad! I love snails and this is amazing! Well, they all are!

    #13

    Guinea Pig

    Guinea Pig

    isopresso_balloon Report

    CR Harvey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh this is so cute! Looks like one of mine.

    Lola Pagan
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i need this, looks like one of my guinea babies <3

    Evie Grove
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want this at my birthday! I love guinea pigs!

    Mavi Hava
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ADORBS! ok, maybe this is my favorite one. It's defiantly this or the spider I liked the most

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Stork

    Stork

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Fred and George Weasley
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    tough guy, you arent tough at all. youre some pathetic 14 year old whose only words are cuss words. grow up and get a life, not this C**P that you post on other people's posts.

    Load More Replies...
    Mavi Hava
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    oh my god can someone, like take tough guy's profile away? I know this has nothing to do with the picture above (which is amazing btw) but seriously I read all the comments below and I looked at the picture of his profile which was posted by togcrewsc and seriously this guy is insane

    TOUGH GUY
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    MAN THIS COOL BUT I WILL BEAT THE F**K OUT A YOU. I HAVE A DEGREE IN PUTTING MY FOOT UP YOUR A*S U WILL BE GRAVY B***H. TOUGH GUY OUT

    Tambot
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another 12 year old playing on the internet...how cute

    Load More Replies...
    View more comments
    #16

    Rose-Ringed Parakeet

    Rose-Ringed Parakeet

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Sandy Kavanaugh
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It reminds me more of a Quaker or Conure.

    #17

    Pitcher Plant

    Pitcher Plant

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Teak_the_FoxWing
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it's ofical: the creator is a unicorn!

    Mavi Hava
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    okay forget what I said earlier about the spider and the guinea pig, this IS my favorite!

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #19

    Leucochloridium

    Leucochloridium

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #20

    Eagle

    Eagle

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #23

    Japanese White-Eye

    Japanese White-Eye

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #24

    Zebra Finch

    Zebra Finch

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #25

    Earthworm

    Earthworm

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Mavi Hava
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aaah I love it! It's so cute! is that weird to think a worm is cute because just saying, I personally love worms.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    Pseudoscorpion

    Pseudoscorpion

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Mohra Taylor
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Glad he left out the stinger!

    CR Harvey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible, just incredible.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #27

    Tick

    Tick

    isopresso_balloon Report

    SweetCrescentMoon
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like drowning ticks in the toilet. But I don't think that will work very well

    #28

    Camel Cricket

    Camel Cricket

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #29

    Army Ant

    Army Ant

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Jennifer Johnson
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is actually really cute. I want 1

    Emily Ray Howson
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can they destroy the us army (Yes sir) can they destroy the Soviet Union? (YES]

    Mohra Taylor
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks a bit like a Storm Trooper of the ant world

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #30

    Mayfly Nymph

    Mayfly Nymph

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Teresa Groth
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are all truly beautiful and the balloon artist is wonderful!

    Kristina Thomas
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ew. I'm a fan of some insects, but all insect larvae are icky.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #31

    Golden Orb-Web Spider

    Golden Orb-Web Spider

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #32

    Scaly-Foot Gastropod

    Scaly-Foot Gastropod

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #34

    Flea

    Flea

    isopresso_balloon Report

    CR Harvey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gaah. Hate fleas, but he did one.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #35

    Armadillo

    Armadillo

    isopresso_balloon Report

    CR Harvey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Needs to do the pink fairy armadillo

    #37

    Squirrel

    Squirrel

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #38

    Epicauta

    Epicauta

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Just Carmen
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How does he get the shape of the body like this?

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #39

    Coconut Crab

    Coconut Crab

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #40

    Sea Slug (Hypselodoris Festiva)

    Sea Slug (Hypselodoris Festiva)

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I should try to match this one up with the David Bowie seaslug fest in a previous thread.

    togcrewsc
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this reminds me of a scrubby thingy... ya know...

    #41

    Shield Bug

    Shield Bug

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #42

    Threadfin Dragonfish

    Threadfin Dragonfish

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #43

    Pupa Of Hornet

    Pupa Of Hornet

    isopresso_balloon Report

    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like an alien. Okay, it looks the creature from the "Alien" movies.

    #44

    Red King Crab

    Red King Crab

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #45

    Blue-Banded Bee

    Blue-Banded Bee

    isopresso_balloon Report

    *sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've actually never heard of these before! Had to google them, and they're pretty!

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    Head Louse

    Head Louse

    isopresso_balloon Report

    CR Harvey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok, that's three out of four...

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #47

    Assassin Bug

    Assassin Bug

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #49

    Mud Dauber

    Mud Dauber

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #50

    Attelabidae

    Attelabidae

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #51

    Bed Bug

    Bed Bug

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #53

    Backswimmer

    Backswimmer

    isopresso_balloon Report

    togcrewsc
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    does he swim backstroke? Im a breaststroker

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #54

    Stonefly Nymph

    Stonefly Nymph

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #56

    Vinegaroon

    Vinegaroon

    isopresso_balloon Report

    #57

    Whip Spider

    Whip Spider

    isopresso_balloon Report

    ADVERTISEMENT