This fall, the first major manga exhibit in the United States will open at the de Young. The Art of Manga exhibit features original drawings from some of the world’s most influential manga artists. Art of Manga will explore the famous drawings as an art form and their impact on popular culture and storytelling. The exhibit includes over 700 drawings, some of which have never been on public display.
“Captivating millions around the world with dynamic graphic narratives, manga is one of the most significant visual mediums of our time,” said Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “San Francisco has long been a gateway for Japanese cultural exchange in the United States, and we are delighted to honor this legacy by showcasing the artistry and power of contemporary Japanese narrative art in Art of Manga.”
The exhibit will explore the origins of the art form, starting in 1939 with the works of Chiba Tetsuya and Akatsuka Fujio. The exhibit will explore the historical context of manga, along with how to read the comic for those unfamiliar. Viewers can explore drawings from some of the artform’s most well-known artists, including Akatsuka Fujio, Yamashita Kazumi, and many more. Art of Manga also explores the different genres and styles of the art form, including how it progressed into the digital realm of NFTs.
Art of Manga will open at the de Young in San Francisco on September 27 and run through January 2026. The de Young also welcomes an exciting exhibition of Paul McCartney’s photos in the coming months, exploring the Beatles’ meteoric rise to fame. You can see the Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm, beginning on March 1, 2025. The de Young is located at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr and is open Tuesday through Sunday.