The de Young Museum in San Francisco has recently launched a vibrant exhibition titled “Art of Manga,” showcasing Japan’s rich comic tradition.
Opening on Saturday, the exhibition has quickly become a gathering spot for fans eager to celebrate the art form. Many attendees arrived dressed as beloved characters from their favorite manga series, including popular figures from “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.”
Jyke Telmo and Sam Bell, who cosplayed as Jotaro Kujo and Noriaki Kakyoin, expressed their enthusiasm for the event, with Telmo stating, “I really believe that manga is an art, and it’s always been an art — even though my family will say otherwise.”
“Art of Manga” stands out as one of the first large-scale exhibitions of its kind in the United States, aiming to convey the multifaceted nature of manga to a broader audience.
The exhibition’s entrance exudes a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a Pop Mart, featuring numerous Japanese vending machines.
Once inside, visitors are greeted by a stunning display of sketches, comic strips, murals, and digital art that chronicle the evolution of manga through various styles and iconic artists.
With over 600 original drawings, many making their U.S. debut, the exhibition captures the progression of this dynamic medium from the postwar era to the present day.
The featured works span a wide range of themes, including humor, romance, absurdism, and queer narratives, all presented with psychedelic and intricate designs.
Telmo, a longtime manga enthusiast who began reading at age 10, expressed how seeing such a diverse selection in San Francisco felt both affirming and long-awaited.
“Manga has a rich history of inclusivity, especially with queer and LGBTQ narratives,” he remarked, highlighting the significance of representation in the exhibition.
Such inclusivity is exemplified through pieces like Tagame Gengoroh’s homoerotic tales that have contributed to greater LGBTQ representation within mainstream Japanese comics, alongside Yamashita Kazumi’s elegant, painterly pages.
In addition to the artistic displays, “Art of Manga” also provides insights into the production of manga.
Curator Okamoto “Kinpachi” Masashi explained the intention behind the exhibit’s “ONE PIECE ONLY: How Manga Is Made” section, stating, “Nowadays, many people read ‘One Piece’ on their smartphones.
But they don’t know how they are made in the factory with printing plates. We want to keep and archive them.
With this exhibit, we can show people how the printing machine works and how it is made.”
For many fans like Kelsey Malinzak, the exhibition feels deeply personal.
Having started her manga journey with “Inuyasha” at age 10, Malinzak shared her nostalgic experience: “This was a real full-circle moment.
Being an adult, living in the city now, seeing the original prints of these things that I fantasized over and got lost in as a kid — it’s pretty mesmerizing.”
The “Art of Manga” exhibition at the de Young Museum not only celebrates the artistic innovation of Japanese comics but also invites a new generation to connect with the culture and history behind it.
image source from：sfstandard
