Blackboards in Japan are typically filled with equations and kanji characters. But a group of elementary school graduates in Niigata City were surprised to see theirs become a chalky work of art.



Six creatives from the Japan Animation & Manga College visited Hakusan Elementary School. They spent about four hours drawing two children holding their graduation certificates. They also wrote the Japanese word for "compassion."



Budding artist Saito Kosei said he hopes the pupils join hands with others and take the path they think is right.



Thirty-seven 6th graders discovered the art on Friday after their graduation ceremony. One said, "I feel like people are supporting me." Another said, "I am very happy to find they wrote our class goal."



The blackboard art has become a yearly tradition at the school.