"What is Manga?" Exhibition
In April 2010, the Manga Museum underwent a large-scale renovation increasing open shelf space, for example, and one of the main area of focus was the "What is Manga?" Exhibition. It is a new exhibition that seeks to answer questions that visitors may have from multiple perspectives. It is an 'introduction to manga' exhibition that is accessible to foreign visitors and Japanese middle school students alike. It explains manga's history and social significance, and things the average reader doesn't normally get to see, such as the process through which manga are created and mass produced. This exhibition is in the main gallery, the walls of which are covered in bookshelves that are filled mainly with popular and influential manga from 1945 to 2005, arranged by year (based on Gendai Manga Hakubutsukan, 2006, Shogakukan). The exhibition provides visitors with a survey of the history of postwar manga, and its structure reflects the growth and development of manga. Each exhibition has an accompanying explanation in English.
Layout of the Exhibition
Manga Media Chronology
The evolution of the manga medium, from cartoon magazines in the Bakumatsu period to the present
Manga Lifetime Chronology
Shows the diversity of Japanese manga magazines, carefully segmented by age and gender.
Is Manga Merely a Child's Thing?
Explains social functions of manga other than entertainment, such as political satire and education.
What is TV Manga?
Introduces of Japan's unique form of animation, 'anime,' which incorporates many of the techniques used in manga.
The Making of Manga
Shows the process of manga production with real examples of work, the tools used, and videos of the work space.
Manga That Rely on Fundamental Principles
Explains the fundamental principles of manga such as how characters' emotions and movements are expressed, the rules of panel lay-out, and other conventions.
Manga That Defy the Fundamental Principles
Explains the appeal of manga that defy conventions, through the work of Akatsuka Fujio, a gag manga artist.
Are Manga Artists Millionaires?
Through statistics, shows how manga is part of a large industry with many companies involved.
Is Cosplay a Kind of Manga, Too?
Explains of the structure of Japan's manga industry, of which "media mix" and merchandizing of manga characters are a major part.
Is Manga Read by People Around the World!?
Shows how the manga of Europe, the U.S., Japan, and Asia have all influenced each other.
A Worldwide Medium
Introduces 'manga' that aren't Japanese and are done in diverse styles and media, such as Bandes dessinee.
【Links】
◇ German Comic Scene
http://www.goethe.de/kue/lit/prj/com/ccs/enindex.htm
AddressAccess
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