Words by Florenda Corpuz
Photo by Din Eugenio
TOKYO/CHIBA – Johnny Depp’s return to Japan this year unfolded like a three-act performance: the private artist revealing his most personal work, the performer reviving one of cinema’s most beloved characters, and the filmmaker presenting his latest creative venture.
Depp’s most significant appearance was the unveiling of “A Bunch of Stuff,” his first large-scale immersive visual art exhibition outside the United States. Now open at Takanawa Gateway City NEWoMan until May 6, the exhibition features more than 100 artworks, personal belongings, studio tools, and handwritten notes that trace his lifelong relationship with painting and drawing.
At the Nov. 27 Tokyo press conference, Depp reflected on reaching a point in life where quiet assessment becomes unavoidable.
“You look back at all the things you’ve done and go, ‘Okay, yeah, I did that.’ But there are other things I’ve done all by myself for many years.”
“I don’t claim to be anything other than someone who paints,” he said with a modest smile.
His works, including portraits, abstract explorations, and scribbled reflections, pay tribute to the people and ideas that shaped him: Marlon Brando, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Patti Smith, Jack Kerouac, and Hedy Lamarr.
On Lamarr, he spoke with admiration: “She was amazing and brilliant, tossed aside by a patent.”
Painting, he explained, is both release and necessity.
“It became a great escape for the brain, a true necessity. Otherwise my brain will explode.”
Why Tokyo Became His First Stop Outside the U.S.
Choosing Japan as the first international venue for the exhibition was intentional.
“In Tokyo, you’re guaranteed honesty,” Depp said. “People will either feel something or not, but they won’t walk through and say, ‘Yeah… it’s okay.’”
He contrasted this with Los Angeles, joking: “The majority forms its opinion only after talking to three or four friends and matching theirs.”
For Depp, Tokyo is a place of deep reverence for creativity, making the exhibition a personal milestone.
“This is a very important place for art and artists. I don’t happen to be able to call myself an artist, but maybe a little.”
The Filmmaker: ‘Modigliani’ Makes Its Japan Premiere
Depp’s Tokyo schedule also included the Japan premiere of “Modigliani,” his latest directorial work, which will be shown on Jan. 16.
While the event was quieter than his art press conference and Comic Con appearance, it marked an important creative chapter that complements the artistic introspection of his exhibition.
The film centers on three turbulent days in the life of Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani. Depp described it as an artist’s tribute to another artist.
“It’s something where I was behind the monitor, in the chair,” he explained. “I felt a great responsibility, as you always do. I felt a great responsibility to Modigliani and those artists of that era and what they experienced and what they went through.”
Rather than a traditional cradle-to-grave portrait, Depp emphasized that the film focuses on intensity rather than chronology.
“So this is three days, not a biopic. It’s three days in his life. It’s not like a biography of him; it’s just capturing three days of madness in his life. And I hope you like it.”
He praised his cast and the early response to the film.
“We have a wonderful cast. We’ve had an amazing reaction to the film, and I hope you enjoy it.”
The Icon: Captain Jack Sparrow Steals Tokyo Comic Con
If the art exhibition revealed Depp’s private world, Tokyo Comic Con 2025 showcased his electrifying public one.
Last Dec. 7 at Makuhari Messe, he stepped onstage to one of the loudest receptions of the three-day event. The moment he slipped into Captain Jack Sparrow’s familiar slurred charm, the hall erupted.
“Hello, yes, yes, yes, hello again,” the 62-year-old actor greeted, instantly transforming into the beloved “Pirates of the Caribbean” character.
He joked about nearly fainting from the overwhelming cheers, but his gratitude was unmistakably heartfelt.
“Thank you for the warm welcomes, the kindness, the generosity, the support, which has been there strong for a long time. I thank you all deeply, deeply, deeply.”
Looking out at the sea of fans, he quipped: “I feel as though there are more of you than there actually are, or maybe I’m lying in a hospital bed and none of this is happening.”
Before leaving the stage, he delivered one final message: “Thank you for your support, your love, your respect. Always.”
A Tokyo Homecoming Across Art, Film, and Fandom
In one extraordinary visit, Japan witnessed three sides of Depp: the introspective painter, the filmmaker honoring another artist, and the actor who continues to captivate fans both in character and in person.
From the deeply personal world of “A Bunch of Stuff” to the cinematic reflection of “Modigliani” to the joyful chaos of Tokyo Comic Con, Depp’s multifaceted visit reaffirmed his enduring bond with Japan, a place he trusts for honesty, creativity, and connection.
And for Japanese fans, the feeling remains just as strong.
