Manga fans are in luck: not only is the British Museum currently hosting the largest-ever manga exhibition outside of Japan, but Japan House in Kensington is opening This is Manga - the Art of Urasawa Naoki, this June.
A legend in the field of manga (he's been called a "national treasure" in Japan, has been published in over 20 countries and sold over 127 million books - in Japan alone), Urasawa made his mark in the mid-90s with thriller Monster, which focused on a Japanese surgeon living in Germany.
@ MONSTER © 1995 Naoki URASAWA / Studio Nuts
Urasawa is also known for his apocalyptic story, 20th Century Boys, judo-themed Yawara! (which will be presented story by story in changing displays over the course of the exhibition to encourage viewers to come back and re-experience the work in the serial style of Japanese comics), as well as Pluto, Master Keaton ReMaster and Billy Bat, which he co-authored.
The exhibition includes 400 of the artist's drawings, storyboards and full-length works - which touch on themes like sport, sci-fi, mystery and comedy - from inception to completion.
Not only will you be coming back more than once (did we mention it's free?), you'll want to give yourself some time while you're there: there's a reading corner in the exhibition space with full English translations of Urasawa's bestselling stories. Get comfortable.
| What | This is Manga - the Art of Urasawa Naoki, Japan House |
| Where | Japan House, London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA | MAP |
| Nearest tube | High Street Kensington (underground) |
| When |
05 Jun 19 – 28 Jul 19, various |
| Price | £Free |
| Website | Click here for more information |
