In the summer of 2014, the concept of MediBang was born in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Japan. What began as an online haven welcoming both artists and writers alike to share their creations on medibang.com soon transformed into something much bigger than the team initially expected—an illustration software here to join the competitive landscape of digital art software, and a free one at that. The journey wasn't without its twists, with the release and subsequent overhaul of CloudAlpaca in November, transforming into the sleek and powerful MediBang Paint Pro for PC in June 2015.

This overhaul, despite initial skepticism, became a game-changer, propelling the software across platforms, including iPad, iPhone, and Android. The impressive journey hit over 1 million downloads by October, reaching 5 million just seven months later.

"Our goal as a company is to help people around the globe connect through art. We are a small team here in Tokyo, full of people who are truly passionate about making digital illustration accessible for people worldwide regardless of income or nationality," emphasizes CEO Takashima, the visionary leader behind MediBang.

Fast forward 9 years, and MediBang Inc has transformed from a small startup into a formidable indie software company, boasting over 85 million downloads worldwide. The drawing experience MediBang Paint offers is better now than ever, becoming a go-to choice for digital artists, from beginners embarking on their creative journey to seasoned professionals seeking intuitive, free software to complement their workflow.

The soul of MediBang Paint however, lies in its vibrant artist community. Reflecting on her experience, long-time user Miu Akatsuki, an Indonesian artist and longtime user of MediBang Paint for Android, praises MediBang's brushes for their comfort and the software's interface for its simplicity, making it an ideal tool for her illustration and animation workflow, where all assets are painted in MediBang Paint and exported to After Effects®. (Adobe, the Adobe logo, After Effects are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe in the United States and/or other countries.)

The popular Indonesian creator, when asked about why she chooses MediBang Paint out of all the software available, shared, "MediBang brushes are the most comfortable for me. I also like the simplicity of the interface; it helped me get used to it quickly.”

Indeed, during the initial creation of MediBang Paint, the company consulted traditional Japanese mangaka for engineering the brushes about how best replicate the classic feeling of manga tools.

American artist Inkymint proves this consultation was worth it, saying, "The first time I tried lining my sketches in MediBang Paint, I was completely shocked by how natural the brush engine felt, like I was drawing with my dip pens but with better control. As a bonus, the lightweight software doesn’t drain my iPad, so I can spend all afternoon drawing in my favorite cafes."

MediBang Paint's unique cloud functionality is a central allure, seamlessly integrating into artists' workflows. Whether working on PCs at home or creating on-the-go with tablets or phones, the cloud ensures a fluid creative process. Artists can easily transition between devices, allowing them to pick up their work whenever and wherever inspiration strikes. This seamless workflow integration is not only appreciated by users but also by employees like "Number Four," one of MediBang's in-house illustrators who shared her love for MediBang Paint.

“As an in-house creator who’s been with the company since its early stages, and one of the features of MediBang Paint that stands out for me the most is all the cross-platform versions available, along with how seamless data sharing with the cloud is. Another favorite aspect is how comfortable all the drawing environments are, ranging from sketching and inking on the iPad version with the precise Apple Pencil, to the classic PC-and-tablet setup that lets me focus on the coloring and finishing touches. It’s just amazing to me that all of this is available within the framework of a basic, free-to-use setup.”

Number Four continued, “I can recommend a software like this for a broad spectrum of users, from beginners to professional artists. Whether you're using it casually or diving into professional work, the accessibility and features make it a well-rounded choice in the world of digital art creation.”

CEO Takashima is especially enthusiastic about what’s in store for MediBang Inc. "As we celebrate this anniversary, I'm thrilled by the journey we've undertaken. MediBang Paint has become a beacon for artists worldwide, and our commitment to fostering global connections through art remains unwavering. The canvas of possibilities is vast, and we're poised for even greater heights. Here's to a future painted with innovation, inspiration, and the vibrant colors of creativity."