Meiji University Yonezawa Yoshihiro Memorial Library (明治大学 米沢嘉博記念図書館) has organized the exhibition OTOMO KATSUHIRO O SODATETA MANGA TACHI TEN (大友克洋を育てたマンガたち展) 'The manga works that nurtured Katsuhiro Otomo'
EXHIBITION OVERVIEW
Apart from his manga and film and illustration works, Katsuhiro Otomo is also known for his deep knowledge of manga as he showed in his promotional illustration for the first period of the OTOMO KATSUHIRO COMPLETE WORKS collection which Kodansha began to publish in 2022. This exhibition focuses on the manga works depicted in this promotional illustration that features a row of covers of manga works that influenced him as a boy.
The venue will take place on the 1st floor of Meiji University Yonezawa Yoshihiro Memorial Library and Contemporary Manga Library from Friday, March 7, 2025 to Monday, June 23, 2025. The entrance to the 1st floor exhibition is free.
In the reading room on the 2nd floor, there will be available to read manga works that Otomo Katsuhiro was familiar with in his childhood, as well as other works by Otomo Katsuhiro, which are shown in the exhibition. If you are not a member of the university you must register to have access to this floor and make a one-day membership that costs ¥330.
■Opening hours: Monday and Friday 14:00 - 20:00, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 12:00 - 18:00
■Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (open on national holidays), March 20 (Thursday and holiday), April 29 (Tuesday and holiday), May 6 (Tuesday and holiday)
■The museum may be closed for special arrangements. Please check the museum's website or call 03-3296-4554 on opening days.
Official webiste: https://www.meiji.ac.jp/manga/yonezawa_lib/exh-otomo.html
SPECIAL CORNER PERIODS
■FIRST PERIOD SPECIAL CORNER: Don't miss the works of these authors!
From Friday, March 7th to Monday, April 28th, 2025
Introducing works by authors who were not able to be fully introduced in the promotional illustrations for the first period of the Complete Works of Otomo Katsuhiro, but who are "not to be missed at all"
■SECOND PERIOD SPECIAL CORNER: Keep an eye on Mitsuyoshi Sonoda!
From Friday, May 2nd to Monday, June 23rd, 2025
Introducing Mitsuyoshi Sonoda (園田 光慶), a special author who greatly expanded the world of manga.
TALK EVENT: KATSUHIRO OTOMO×TADASHI MATSUMORI (大友克洋×松森正)
Date and time: Saturday, June 14, 2025, 16:00-17:30
Location: Meiji University Surugadai Campus (明治大学 駿河台キャンパス)
Speakers:
◆Katsuhiro Otomo (manga artist, film director) Born on April 14, 1954 in Miyagi Prefecture. Debuted in 1973. His representative manga works include "Domu" and "AKIRA". The animated film "AKIRA", which he directed and wrote the script for, was highly praised around the world and has had a major impact on the current global movement of Japanese animation. He has received many awards and honours, including being inducted into the Comics Hall of Fame at the Eisner Awards in 2002, receiving the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2013, and winning the Grand Prix at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2015.
◆Tadashi Matsumori (manga artist), Born on April 22, 1947 in Kumamoto Prefecture. Manga artist. Debuted in 1968 with "The End of the Black Sprint." Major works include "Thursday's Rika," "The Fist God: The Legend of Kaito Yujiro" (both by Koike Kazuo), and "Yukemuri Sniper" (by Hijikata Yuho, another pen name for Karen Marei). He is well known for his drawing and composition skills, and has collaborated with many famous authors such as Koike Kazuo, Karen Marei, and Sekigawa Natsuo on many works. One of his works based on an original work by Otomo Katsuhiro is "We Are the Jolly Visitors" (published in the May 27, 1982 issue of "Weekly Manga Action").
◆Interviewer: Nobuhiko Saito (斎藤宣彦) (Staff Leader, Meiji University Yonezawa Yoshihiro Memorial Library)
◆Moderator: Otona Miyamoto (宮本大人) (Professor, Meiji University School of Global Japanese Studies)
Attendance application start date: Thursday, March 6, 2025. Free admission.
Official website: https://academy.meiji.jp/course/detail/7430
