Making up over 20% of all published sales in Japan, manga (and it’s anime counterpart) have become increasingly more popular in the West, with characters becoming more recognisable as pop culture icons – from Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop, Bleach, Dragon Ball, and Studio Ghibli productions. In the past, manga and anime, like video games and comic books, were slandered as pulpy and inappropriate – which is ironic, given how in Japan, manga has reached people of all ages and interests. This is an important aspect of the exhibition: the fact that there is a manga for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age, sexuality, gender, and personal interests, including science-fiction fans, jelly-fish fanatics, cat-lovers, and tentacle… well, let’s not go there.
Thanks to curator Nicole Rousmaniere, the British Museum is currently hosting the largest collection of manga outside Japan, with original art works from the hands of famed artists, documentary videos showcasing the creative process behind manga, as well as statues and interactive segments, which happens to include a life-sized replica of the oldest manga-selling bookstore in Japan, sadly now closed.
It’s important to remember that this exhibition is a showcase of how wide spread and popular Japanese culture has become over recent years in the West, and will hopefully introduce new fans to the world of otaku culture, manga, and anime. So whether you’re looking to see if your waifu or husbando are adequately represented, or simply curious as to why Naruto is walking around the Museum with a group of Jojo characters, here are several reasons to visit the British Museum’s Manga Exhibition.
A comprehensive collection spanning five centuries, to be enjoyed by veterans and new fans alike
With artists ranging from Osamu Tezuka to Hokusai, Takehiko Inoue to Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), the exhibition chronicles the development of modern manga from traditional scroll art, with examples dating as far back as the 12th century CE. One of the most impressive pieces on display happens to be a 17-metre long theatre curtain, decorated with oni and yokai, casually hung along the back wall. Sadly there’s little chance of it fitting in my living room.
Just as comic books from Europe, America and Britain are part of a tradition of sequential storytelling that can be found in vase paintings, stained glass, or friezes, manga pulls from a tradition that fuses elements of Japanese character art (as can be seen in Hokusai Manga) and the narrative style found in scroll art, as well as Western comic strips and animation (Osamu Tezuka, for instance, drew influences from early Disney animation).
The exhibition makes it clear that it isn’t only for veteran manga fans. It’s a great chance to become more familiar with the history of one of the most popular mediums and industries to come out of Japan, while dedicated manga readers will likely appreciate the collection of art on display: just make sure you don’t drool too close. I don’t need to explain why it’s exciting to see authentic art from the hand of Junji Ito or Osamu Tezuka, but even if you’re somewhat unfamiliar, you’re sure to at least appreciate the artistry on display.
Seeing Takehiko Inoue’s photorealistic Vagabond displayed alongside Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s own depictions of the infamous swordsman, Musashi, not only demonstrates the breadth of resources granted to the exhibition to illustrate the development of manga, but also makes you wish you had more wall space at home. With a little reorganisation I’m sure at least one of those Vagabond sketches would fit somewhere… At any rate, it’s encouraging to see the passion that has gone into making this project a success and draws attention to the long history of Japanese art and modern manga.
Something for everyone
Exhibition curator Nicole Rousmaniere reminds us: there’s a manga for everyone, of all-ages, catering to all tastes, cultures, sexualities, and genders.
With separate sections dedicated to horror, sports, science-fiction, Shōnen and Shōjo, and cosplay and conventions (showing the communities expressions of fandom and dedication of otaku culture), to claim there is ‘something for everyone’ isn’t too bold a statement to make. Admittedly, there is a notable absence from the highly influential Cyberpunk genre, prominent in the ‘90s (with the likes of Ghost in the Shell, Alita: Battle Angel and Serial Experiments Laine), but regardless, the breadth of genres and art that is present gives a strong impression of how creative the medium is, and how this has been able to reach such a wide audience.
Even if you’re not hardcore into manga with only a passing familiarity, you’re bound to recognise characters from Tezuka’s Astro Boy, or Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball: the fact that they are recognised as pop culture icons by Western audiences should show how prominently the mediums popularity has grown in recent years. This is also made abundantly clear when visitors arrive dressed as their favourite characters from Attack on Titan and Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure, making it immediately obvious how strong fans devotion to their favourite series is – but don’t worry, you don’t have to join in the cosplay if you don’t want to. Though who wouldn’t want to take up on the opportunity to skulk around the Egypt department as Yami Yugi?
While we’re used to cosplayers expressing their fandom at Comic Con, it’s certainly not the norm at the British Museum – though admittedly it would be interesting to see dedicated academics dress up as their favourite Pharaoh or Roman Emperor. While this is certainly unique for the more academically inclined British Museum, hopefully the swarms of cosplayers will attract attention to the exhibition, and hopefully visitors to the Museum will recognise the value of the exhibition itself, as a celebration of Japanese art and pop culture.
There’s a giant Titan head… ?
I don’t think I need to explain this one, really, but part way through the exhibition there’s a giant blow-up Titan head from the popular Attack on Titan. Make of this what you will, but this a photo-opportunity gold mine.
Engaging, interactive and refreshing
While I can appreciate that this certainly won’t be for everyone, it is important to recognise that the British Museum hosting this exhibition is more important than hanging sketches and art works on walls and boards. It’s recognising the popularity and cultural impact of manga and anime in the West, and celebrating one of the most popular mediums to make it’s way over from Japan.
It’s refreshing to see visitors encouraged to sit and read manga in a museum exhibit, so for anyone new to manga this is an opportunity to browse for anything displayed in the gallery that may have peaked their interest and engage with the medium. So take this as a chance to relax, soak in the atmosphere, and squeal at the sight of your favourite waifu or hubando, overlooked by a decapitated Titan.
Of course there are plenty of photo opportunities, besides the aforementioned severed Titan, including the chance to dress up as popular characters in-front of a mirror, or pose for a camera to become a character in a comic-style panel. Again, any opportunity where a museum supplies the costumes and encourages you to dress up as a Pikachu is good enough for me.
Original inked page from the Jazz manga ‘Blue Giant’ 
Pencil roughs for ‘Blue Giant’
The exhibit makes it clear that manga covers a diverse range of topics, from sexual politics to war, coming-of-age stories, psychological horror, and comedy, as well as mundane everyday life, somehow made more interesting through the illustrated medium, with an equally diverse appeal. While they can be casual fun, there are examples of manga, like comics, that show a strong social and political awareness, delving into a more thoughtful and critical direction.
If you’re new to the manga/ anime scene, the exhibition offers plenty of suggestions to get started –and of course there’s the gift shop at the end, which actually has some pretty decent manga titles. Plus Foyles and Forbidden Planet are round the corner…
However, if you’re already a dedicated otaku, excited at the prospect of an exhibition displaying your favourite artists works, this is a celebration of Japan’s pop culture phenomenon which has influenced cosplayers, video game design, the fashion world, and dedicated conventions all over the world. Sticklers opposed to fun, alternative culture, more interested in the strictly academic, might prefer to visit the Rodin exhibit, but if you allow yourself to indulge in a unique experience at the British Museum, you’re bound to leave with a new found appreciation for the world of manga and anime, and the value of pop culture as a whole. Conversely, if the 17th century artworks happen to grab your attention, you’re in luck, as there is a series of rooms dedicated to Japan within the Museum itself, as well as the V&A a mere tube ride away.
Alongside the exhibition itself, the British Museum has been hosting Q&A sessions, with leading artists to join in discussions about the appeal of manga. One such talk I attended featured Yōichi Takahashi (Captain Tsubasa), along with manga editor Suzuki Haruhiko and football manager Alberto Zaccheroni, joining curator Nicole Rousmaniere in an event titled “How manga can change the world,” so keep your eyes out for these. If you leave feeling thirsty for more manga goodness, Japan House (Kensington High Street) are hosting an exhibition showcasing the art of Naoki Urasawa – of Pluto, Monster and 20th Century Boys fame.
| Where? British Museum, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B 3DG |
| When? May 23rd to August 26th, 2019 |
| Closest tube? Goodge Street (Northern Line) |
