Original sketches that sparked global phenomenons like One Piece, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Bleach have moved from artists’ desks to gallery walls.
The Brooklyn Museum is making the case that Japanese comics deserve to be recognized as fine art with its latest exhibition, “Art of Manga.” Before these characters appeared in anime, movies, and on merchandise, they began as ink on paper, and the museum is now highlighting that specific origin point.
🖋️ Tracing the Origins of Manga
Exhibition curator Nicole Rousmaniere, a specialist in Japanese art history, selected ten top artists to showcase the medium’s evolution.
The collection features two pivotal, foundational artists from the 1960s and 1970s, alongside eight contemporary artists spanning from the 1980s to the present day. Rousmaniere emphasizes the importance of a close, one-to-one experience with the original drawings. By looking directly at the actual manga pages, visitors can observe the line quality and see exactly what the artists intended, effectively training their eyes to read the visual storytelling in a new light.
⚖️ Balancing Fans and Newcomers
The curation is designed to navigate the space between two vastly different audiences.
Rousmaniere describes the layout as a dance, balancing the expectations of passionate, highly knowledgeable fans with the needs of visitors who may not even know what manga is. By focusing on the raw craftsmanship and narrative techniques of the creators, the gallery provides an environment where both groups can gain a distinct appreciation for the medium.
“Art of Manga” opened on October 3 at the Brooklyn Museum, located at 200 Eastern Pkwy.