San Francisco, CA – The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park will debut “Art of Manga,” the first large-scale exhibition in the Americas dedicated to exploring manga as an art form, this saturday, September 28, 2024. The exhibit features over 600 works – including original art, comic books, and materials from animated features – by ten influential manga artists, including Araki Hirohiko, creator of JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure, showcasing pieces never before seen in the United States.
The exhibition traces manga’s roots to 18th- and 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints, Japanese painting forms, and Western comics and satire. According to a press release from the de Young, “Art of Manga will enable visitors to gain an understanding of its creative and immersive power and the social impact of manga in the world today.”
Curator Nicole Rousmaniere told KGO that the popularity of manga transcends geographical boundaries. ”What’s interesting is that manga that’s read in America and manga that’s read in Japan is read in Saudi Arabia, is read in Indonesia, is in malaysia, the same titles are popular throughout the world,” she saeid. “You have manga that is aimed towards a female market, you have manga that’s aimed towards a male market. There are different stylistic things.”
the de Young has designated Saturday, September 28th, as Cosplay Day to celebrate the opening, with additional Cosplay Days scheduled for Saturday, October 25, and Saturday, December 6.
“Art of Manga” runs through Sunday, January 25, 2026. Tickets are $35 for adults, with discounts available for children, students, and seniors, and can be purchased here. more information is available at famsf.org.
