The encyclopedia · People & Management · People decision · 2018–2026
Kagawa Teruyuki built an insect empire of clothes and picture books — now it all ends
Founded by actor Kagawa Teruyuki in 2018, INSECT MARKET and its three brands end services on 31 July 2026, eight years on and two years after he stepped back.
INSECT MARKET · Aranchione · 2026-07-31
What happened
Actor Kagawa Teruyuki — famous for his love of insects — founded INSECT MARKET in 2018 as an 'insect and learning' community: natural education delivered through clothing and picture books. Around it grew three brands: Insect Collection, apparel with insect motifs; Insect Garden, ethical goods; and INSECT LAND, built around picture books.
In 2024 Kagawa stepped down as representative and producer of the operating company Aranchione, moving into an ambassador role. Two years later the whole venture winds up: Insect Collection, Insect Garden and INSECT LAND all end services on 31 July 2026, and the official site closes completely on 28 August.
The closing statement gave no business reason — only thanks for support in promoting SDGs and natural education. A farewell sale runs to the end, discounts up to 64 percent: むし, 'insect', in Japanese number wordplay.
Why it happened
- The venture was Kagawa's passion and persona made into a business; two years after he stepped back from running it, it ends.
- Education-apparel is a narrow niche — once the founder's daily involvement went, the concept had no second engine.
- All three brands and the site close together: this is a wind-down, not a sale or handover.
The lesson
A passion venture runs on its founder: Kagawa Teruyuki built INSECT MARKET's insect-education brands, stepped back from the company in 2024, and by July 2026 all three labels and the site close.
Aftermath
Insect Collection, Insect Garden and INSECT LAND end services on 31 July 2026; the insect.market site closes on 28 August 2026. No successor or revival was announced.
Sources
- Fashionsnap — "Kagawa Teruyuki's 'INSECT MARKET' to end — sale up to 64% off", 5 June 2026 (founded 2018 by actor Teruyuki Kagawa; insect-and-learning community delivering natural education through clothing and picture books; brands Insect Collection, Insect Garden, INSECT LAND; services end 31 July 2026, official site closes completely 28 August; Kagawa resigned as representative and producer of operator Aranchione in 2024, became ambassador; no business reason given, statement thanks supporters of SDGs and natural education; final sale up to 64% off as 'mushi' wordplay)
- Mixi News (Fashionsnap syndication) — "Kagawa Teruyuki's 'INSECT MARKET' to end", June 2026 (insect-and-learning community where Kagawa served as ambassador ends all services across its three brands; closure confirmed with final sale)
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