Artist: Kolebee Toad - Glendale, Arizona
Before tattooing became his career, Kolebee Toad was pouring most of his time into skateboarding.
He worked at a skate shop, painted custom grip tape, and started selling his artwork there. Across the way was a tattoo shop he couldn't seem to stay out of—and after getting tattooed every week for 54 weeks, an unexpected opportunity came his way.
He was offered an apprenticeship.
What started with skateboards and painted grip tape eventually became a career built around anime, video games, color, and connecting with people through art.
We caught up with Kolebee so you can get to know a little more about the artist behind the work.
How did tattooing start for you?
At the time, I was pursuing skateboarding as much as I possibly could and working at a skate shop.
That's actually where I started painting grip tape and selling my artwork.
There was a tattoo shop across the way that I was constantly visiting, and somehow I ended up getting tattooed every week for 54 weeks straight.
Eventually, they offered me the opportunity to apprentice at the shop.
I took it and never looked back.
Why anime and video games?
I grew up watching anime and playing video games, so I've always had a love for that style of art.
When it came time to figure out what I really wanted to focus on as a tattoo artist, anime and cartoon work just felt natural.
It was the subject matter that inspired me the most and, honestly, the work I had the most fun creating.
What are your favorite anime?
Naruto, One Piece, and Vinland Saga are some of my favorites.
I've been around anime for so much of my life that these characters and stories naturally became part of what inspires me creatively.
Now I get to take that love for anime and bring it into the colorful pieces I create for other fans.
What changed after leaving Hawaii?
Leaving Hawaii was a big transition in my career.
I went from shop to shop looking for an opportunity and eventually found one that gave me the chance to come in and take walk-ins.
That experience taught me a lot because I was tattooing everything from script to color work and constantly being pushed outside of what I already knew.
It was also where I really started building a clientele and specializing more in anime and cartoon tattoos.
I'll always be grateful that shop gave me an opportunity.
Who helped shape your style?
My friend Travbob had a big influence on me.
At the time, we were surrounded mostly by traditional and Polynesian tattoo artists, while he was creating more new-school work.
Seeing what he was doing inspired me to keep pursuing anime tattoos.
He also taught me a lot about color application and how to design pieces that really have that wow factor when a client finally sees them finished.
What matters most in your designs?
I try to make every detail matter.
The same way Oda puts so much meaning into the details of One Piece, I want everything in a tattoo to come together and capture the character's personality, meaning, and soul.
If there's an extra detail or Easter egg I can add that helps tell that character's story, I'm all for it.
What ideas are the most fun?
I love when clients come in with unexpected mashups or give me the freedom to get creative.
It could be something like Pokémon characters dressed as characters from Courage the Cowardly Dog, or just a client telling me to take their idea and run with it.
Those are usually the projects that stand out because we get to create something neither of us has seen before.
What piece makes you proud?
One that really stands out is a Bardock and Frieza thigh piece I created at Anime Ink Con.
I loved designing it because those characters bring me right back to where my anime journey started.
I also felt like I captured both characters really well and was able to take an entire scene and make it feel complete within one still image.
It was one of those pieces where I walked away really happy with both the process and the finished tattoo.
What keeps you inspired?
Honestly, my clients do.
There are times as an artist when you feel stuck or like you're not progressing as quickly as you want to.
Then I'll get a message from someone telling me what their tattoo means to them, or I'll spend time around another artist who inspires me, and suddenly that excitement comes rushing back.
Even the funny conversations and random moments I have with clients remind me why I enjoy doing this.
That connection with people has always been a huge part of tattooing for me.
Who has supported you most?
My mom has always been my number one supporter.
She's actually gotten tattooed by me throughout every stage of my career and wears those pieces with so much pride.
She's always encouraged me to follow whatever creative path I wanted to pursue.
Having that kind of support behind me has fueled me throughout my entire journey.
What can clients expect from you?
I want the experience to feel personal.
Of course I want to create the best tattoo I can, but I also genuinely enjoy getting to know the people I'm tattooing.
Some of my clients have become really good friends over the years, and I think that connection and trust make the whole experience better.
At the end of the day, I'm just a human who gets to doodle on people for a living—and that's a pretty amazing way to make a life.
I want people to come in, feel comfortable, have a good time, and leave with a tattoo they're genuinely excited about.
Meet Kolebee in the Chair
From painting skateboard grip tape to creating colorful anime tattoos, Kolebee's career has always come back to doing what he genuinely enjoys.
For him, the best tattoos aren't just about the finished piece—they're about creating something meaningful while having a good time with the person wearing it.
Want to Get Tattooed by Kolebee?
If you haven't booked with Kolebee yet and his work feels like the right fit for your next tattoo, we'd love to hear your idea.
