Tokyo a la Mode. Web Magazine for Japanese Fashion and Urban Culture

Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga

By Bobby /Jun 02, 2007
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Me thinks I need to take another trip up to San Fran soon!

Artist, writer, and entrepreneur Tezuka Osamu (1928-1989) is regarded in Japan as the “god of comics,” and revered worldwide as an artistic master. He was the driving force behind the international phenomenon of manga-Japanese comics-and their offspring anime, Japanese animation. Creating over 700 manga titles-and drawing more than 150,000 pages-during his lifetime, Tezuka is best known in the West for Tetsuwan Atom (Mighty Atom or Astro Boy) and Jungeru Taitei (Jungle Emperor or Kimba the White Lion), both of which originated from his manga, and were serialized internationally for television in the 1960s. Today, Tezuka’s work is acclaimed for its complexity, originality, and a powerful dynamism.

Beginning June 2, 2007, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco will serve as the only U.S. venue to present Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga, the first major exhibition of Tezuka’s art staged outside Japan. The exhibition not only introduces Western audiences to the extent, range, and artistic merit of Tezuka’s prolific creativity, but it also highlights his pioneering work within the post-World War II manga and anime industries. A comprehensive survey, the exhibition showcases more than 200 original artworks by Tezuka dating from the late 1940s to late 1980s, including black-and-white ink drawings, as well as color covers, posters, and designs.

The Asian Art Museum’s presentation of the exhibition will include a wide array of public programs such as the Shojo Beat 2nd Anniversary Party on June 15.  Programming includes film screenings, lectures, demonstrations, a manga lounge, and more.  They even set up a cool website and blog for the exhibit, so make sure to check out www.marvelofmanga.org.

Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga
June 2 - September 9, 2007
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Hours: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with extended hours until 9:00 pm every Thursday.

Admission: $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for youth 13-17, and free for children 12 and under. Thursday evenings after 5 pm admission is just $5 for all visitors except those 12 and under and members, who are always free. Target Tuesdays: The museum offers FREE admission to all on the first Tuesday of every month, courtesy of Target Stores