This summer Japan House joins the British Museum in a celebration of all things manga, with a collection over 400 strong, featuring works from the award-winning mangaka, Naoki Urasawa (Pluto, Monster, 20th Century Boys, Master Keaton Remaster). With a wide collection including original pieces for the exhibit itself, doodles straight on the walls, as well as rough works for familiar published works, whether you’re a Billy Bat fan, or identify more with 20th Century Boys, This is MANGA will certainly delight Urasawa and general manga fans alike.
Naoki Urasawa made his international breakthrough with Monster (1994-2001), a series about Kenzo Tenma, a Japanese surgeon living in Germany, and the spiralling events that occur when he finds himself entangled with an ex-patient, Johan Liebert, who turns out to be a psychopathic serial-killer. Since Monster, Urasawa has gone on to publish in over 20 countries and has developed a highly unique, instantly recognisable illustration style, with a devotion to publishing physical books with very few available digitally, which he says is due to his preference for physical media.
Professionally debuting in the early 1980s with Return, Naoki Urasawa’s inspirations include the works of that little known ‘Godfather of Manga’ you might have heard of, Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka’s influence can certainly be felt nearly everywhere in the manga world, with Phoenix and Astro Boy/ Mighty Atom sighted as especially influential to Urasawa, so much so that he reimagined the world of Astro Boy in his own work, Pluto. His dynamic storytelling spans sports, comedy, mystery, and science-fiction, utilising innovative compositional techniques and bold panel designs.
As manga becomes more popular on a worldwide scale, Urasawa has continued to remain unique, often critically reflecting on the human condition in his works, interweaving social commentary with detailed backdrops and relatable characters. Most vitally, his works show how manga and comic books can be a viable medium to discuss modern political and social issues, within an entertaining, digestible format.
Showcase of the excellent 20th Century Boys 
Still waiting for that English translation of Yawara!
The exhibition itself walks us through some of his drawing processes, with rough character sketches, page layouts, storyboards, and colour and ink tests set up alongside completed original works. If you happen to be an artist visiting the gallery, no doubt you’ll leave with a few new ideas and new found inspiration. Alternatively, some may feel somewhat demoralised, especially since a video near the beginning of the gallery shows the speed at which he can draw, and starting with the eyes, no less!
One interesting technique used by manga artists involves the use of screentones, which has been shown to be an efficient way to add texture and shading quickly to pieces that need to be published for weekly magazines. Urasawa, meanwhile, shows how he incorporates them with his own creative twists, adding more detailed textures like rainfall to scenes to create a sense of ambiance. This isn’t just a collection of art pieces: This is MANGA is an opportunity to showcase Urasawa’s detailed creative processes, with elaborate explanations and descriptions that add a greater sense of awe to the artistry on display.
Like the British Museum’s own manga exhibit, this is a great opportunity to show-off the level of artistry that goes into the creation of manga, especially when you consider they are often published on a weekly basis.
As a retrospective showcasing the works of Naoki Urasawa, Japan House has acquired some 400 examples, with sketchbooks going back to his school years to his first published works, as well as exclusive pieces for the exhibit itself, with a few wall drawings that makes you wonder what the bare walls of his home must look like…
While there are ample opportunities to share the story of his career and the development of his unique style, fans are likely here to see their favourite Urasawa manga on display. And fret not, there’s a broad enough selection that’s sure to cover your favourites, including the Judo manga Yawara!, which has sadly not made its way to the UK with an English translation yet. Though judging by what was on display, it certainly should. However, throughout the course of the exhibition, there will be four stories from Yawara! on rotation every two weeks, replicating that weekly serial style of Japanese manga, making repeat visits a must. As if you need another excuse, that is.
If you’re discovering the world of Naoki Urasawa for the first time and don’t know where to start, Pluto and Monster are easy recommendations. 20th Century Boys is another exceptionally popular work, following Kenji Endo as he follows clues left behind after the suicide of one of his childhood friends, with connections to a cult led by the mysterious ‘Friend’. Notably it examines the social anxiety felt by people towards the end of the 20th century, with a little Marc Bolan thrown in for good measure. It’s an example of Urasawa combining his personal interests and social commentary with familiar backdrops – which includes his passion for music as a singer-songwriter, under the stage persona ‘Bob Lennon’, drawing inspiration from the likes of Bob Dylan.
This is MANGA presents an opportunity to enjoy the works of one of Japan’s most prolific mangaka directly and, most excitingly, from his own hand. The works on display offer insight into the development process of manga itself, as well as the psyche of the artist himself, running from June 5th to July 28th 2019.
And did I happen to mention it’s free?
Yawara’s grandfather and 7th-dan Judo Master, Jigorou, enjoying the local staple cuisine, fish ‘n’ chips. Coincidentally, he can be seen munching on a burger in the American version. 
| Where? Japan House 101 – 111 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 5SA |
| When? June 5th to July 8th, 2019 |
| Closest tube? High Street Kensington (District Line): right next door South Kensington (District Line): about 10 – 15 minute walking distance |
| Entry price? An extortionate £0.00! |
