Isetan, bag brand master-piece , and N High School (hereinafter referred to as "N High"), an online high school operated by the educational corporation Kadokawa Dwango Gakuen, have entered the second stage of creating school bags through a triple collaboration. Anticipation is high for the second sample, which incorporates student feedback and requests for the first sample.

Related articles:
Part 1: [N High School Bag Project] Let's create the "future school bag" that Gen Z will love!
Part 2: [N High School Bag Project] First sample completed, incorporating student feedback.

Look at the second sample, try it on, and then make your final judgment!

Uematsu: master-piece updated the first sample that we showed them at the second meeting and created a second sample for us.

Kawashima: Thank you for all your feedback. I've brought a second sample.

[Recap of feedback on the first sample]
- I'd like a backpack that can stand on its own. - The side pockets open too wide, and water bottles and other items might fall out when I bend over. - Reflective material (reflectors) isn't necessary. - The D-rings for attaching keychains and other items should be on the outside. - I don't need a transparent card holder. - I'd like pockets to organize small items. - I'd like the zipper pull on the mesh pocket in the main compartment to be larger. - The shoulder straps should be thicker and longer. - What about the plastic buckles?
Can we combine different materials?

Here is the second sample, created based on these opinions.


Kawashima: Everyone, the second sample stands up properly.


Student: Wow! (Applause)

Kawashima: We changed the back panel to one with a firmer core, so it's now a backpack that can stand on its own. We also incorporated the "two-tone black combination" material that I suggested last time.


Uematsu: Furthermore, regarding the reflectors, which received various opinions, we changed them to patterned ones that have a less reflective look.

Kawashima: The side pockets are stiffer and less flexible than the first sample. We removed the transparent card holder inside the zipper pocket and added a pen holder and a shallower pocket. We also changed the shoulder straps to wider ones so that they sit firmly on the shoulders even when lowered all the way down.

Reflector issue, buckle issue, what will we ultimately do?

Uematsu: Ms. Sakuma, who is in charge of promotion and public relations for N High School, what are your impressions of the second sample?


Sakuma: Thank you for the second sample. I think the students will be happy to see them become independent. What are everyone's impressions of the sample?


[Female student's opinion]
I'm still concerned about the size of the buckle. Is it possible to have two smaller buckles?
- The previous one looked like a school or cram school designated bag, but this one looks better. - The reflectors aren't necessary. It looks like a light-up school bag. - The bag shouldn't stand out too much. - The reflectors might make it difficult to match with casual clothes. - I think it's better that it's less rounded and doesn't look like a rice ball anymore.

[Opinions of male students]
- I think it's more polished than the previous one. - I'm happy that it can stand on its own. - The reflectors might appeal to parents who prioritize safety, but I don't think it's necessary since I'm a high school student. - The zipper pull inside is bigger and easier to open. - The shape is less rounded, so I think it can be used for private use as well. - I wish the part you hold was thicker.

Kawashima: As I explained before, if you remove the buckle on the front, it will look very ordinary. So, I talked with Uematsu-san and we came up with an alternative design, thinking that it would look neater without the tape on the flap.

Sakuma: The clean flap design really changes the look. I think everyone will prefer this one.

Try carrying it on your back and see if it fits your studies and lifestyle.

Uematsu: Just like last time, try transferring your belongings and carrying them on your back.


[Female student's opinion]
- It feels light and nice when worn. - It feels lighter than my own backpack. The back cushioning feels good. - The side pockets have tighter openings than the previous one, so I don't have to worry about things falling out when I bend over. - When I wear it, I use the back straps at their longest length, but the straps feel thin when I put my hands on them. - I think the interior has more pockets, making it easier to organize small items.

[Opinions of male students]
- The size is just right. - When worn, there is a moderate gap between the backpack and the body, which I think allows for good ventilation. - I don't feel much of a burden when wearing it.

Uematsu: The reflectors have been a persistent issue, so how about we replace them with black piping tape?

Kawashima: That's right. I thought it was necessary from the standpoint of nighttime safety, but they're all high school students now, aren't they?

Uematsu: Are there any other changes from the second sample?

Kawashima: Regarding the handle at the top of the bag, there are durability issues if we attach it to the main body of the bag, so let's make the current strap a little bigger and thicker to make it easier to hold. We initially thought about using elastic for the opening of the side pockets, but we'll proceed with the current design.


Uematsu: I think this combination of black materials is fine.

Sakuma: So, with these changes, we can proceed with final product development, right?

All students: We think it'll be fine!

Uematsu: Thank you. Let's proceed with this. Kawashima, please take care of commercializing the product!


The bags developed through this project will be available for a limited time at the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store from December 23rd (Wednesday) until mid-March 2021. During this period, they will be available for purchase not only by N High School students but also by the general public.