Creative director Ryutaro Shiina launched his brand Shotcake Factory with contemporary artist Yasuto Sasada in 2020 based off of a fictitious pharmaceutical factory concept. The brand name was inspired by Japan’s love for strawberry shortcake to express their commitment to sell Japan-made products. The letter “r” was removed from the name to say “shot” as in “vaccine shots” to follow the pharmacy theme. Sasada has collaborated with Yohji Yamamoto and is also the creator of computer-generated musical artist MIKA. Apart from t-shirts with Sasada’s energetic and incredibly detailed prints, the brand has also released music with MIKA and other works of art, all “made by the fictional pharmaceutical factory”.