The National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT) introduces Japan’s distinctive culture to all areas of the world. The project started with MANGA＊ANIME＊GAMES from JAPAN which ran from June 24 – August 31, 2015. This was followed by the same exhibit held in Thailand and Myanmar. In 2018, as part of Japonismes 2018: les âmes en resonance, the NACT held the MANGA⇔TOKYO exhibition (November 29 – December 30, 2018) in Paris, France, which attracted over 30 thousand visitors. This time, the NACT will bring the renovated exhibition back to Japan.
Over 500 items are being displayed, including original drawings of manga and materials related to anime production, from a total of over 90 titles.
The largest ever MANGA exhibition in the country
The exhibition displays over 500 items such as original drawings of manga, production documents and visuals of anime and games, from the total of more than 90 titles of manga, anime, games and tokusatsu (SFX films) works that are closely related to Tokyo, in a 2000 m² exhibition space.
1/1000 Scale Giant Model of Tokyo and Visuals Installation
模型制作：株式会社ニシムラ精密地形模型／株式会社マーブリングファインアーツHD
A 1/1000 scale giant model of Tokyo, 17m wide and 22m long, along with visuals of anime, games and tokusatsu (SFX films) works staged in Tokyo, will allow spectators to experience the intertwined relations between “Tokyo” and “MANGA.”
Exhibits are displayed so that visitors can experience the integrated reality of “Tokyo,” with scenes of various stories and memories of characters merging into the real cityscapes.
Installation to Experience Reality merged with Characters
While manga, anime, games and tokusatsu (SFX films) in Japan have been influenced by the existing city, characters from those works appear in the sphere of reality, such as at stations, on trains and at convenience stores, altering the scenes and images of the city. It has become part of everyday life for those who live in Tokyo to live side by side with characters, which this exhibition will show through various installations.
Section 1: Cycles of Deconstruction and Reconstruction
EVANGELION:2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE. ©khara
“AKIRA”
Based on the graphic novel “Akira” by Katsuhiro Otomo. First published by “Young Magazine”,Kodansha Ltd.
© 1988 MASH・ROOM/ AKIRA COMMITTEE All Rights Reserved.
Depiction of catastrophic damages to Tokyo, inflicted by unprecedented natural disasters or mysterious creatures, is almost routine in Japanese manga, anime, games and tokusatsu works. This section includes works with themes of “destruction and reconstruction.”
Section 2: Life in Tokyo
The three sections Edo as Pre-Tokyo, From the Beginning of Modernization to the Post-modern City, and From the End of the Century to the Present represent different eras of Japanese history.The exhibit depicts Tokyo as a place where ordinary people live despite the surreal experience of city-wide destruction and reconstruction.
Edo As Pre-Tokyo
“Sakuran” ANNO Moyoco ©Moyoco Anno / Cork
From the Beginning of Modernization to the Post-modern City
“Rurouni Kenshin” WATSUKI Nobuhiro ©Nobuhiro Watsuki / SHUEISHA
“CITY HUNTER” by HOJO Tsukasa © 1985 by TSUKASA HOJO/NSP
From the End of the Century to the Present
“Solanin” ASANO Inio © Inio Asano / Shogakukan
“5 Centimeters Per Second” © Makoto Shinkai / CoMix Wave Films
Section 3: Characters vs. the City
The Life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba.
Location: DiverCity Tokyo Plaza © SOTSU, SUNRISE
The last section focuses on characters existing alongside real life, for example, in cities as mascots for promotions, in advertising and in tourism.
Explore the history between Tokyo and Japanese pop culture media at MANGA⇔TOKYO.
Information
Exhibition title: MANGA⇔TOKYO
Dates: Aug. 12 (Wed.) – Nov. 3 (Tue.), 2020
Closed: Tuesdays (except for September 22, November 3)
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
* Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Venue: The National Art Center, Tokyo, Special Exhibition Gallery 1E
7-22-2 Roppongi Minato-ku Tokyo 106-8558 Japan
MANGA⇔TOKYO website: https://manga-toshi-tokyo.jp/
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Illustrator BEY’s solo exhibition ‘NEW WAMERICAN’ will be held at TRUNK (HOTEL) in Shibuya starting November 1. BEY is known for his illustrations inspired by the ‘Wamerican’ theme, a blend of Japanese culture, including ukiyo-e, and American pop culture. Currently, he is attracting attention as an up-and-coming creator who also works on CD jackets for artists and window art for apparel brands. Canvas works newly painted for the exhibition will be exhibited and sold, and new merchandise such as teacups and Palo Santo with limited edition packaging will be available. [Comment from BEY] “I hope to approach this exhibition as the first of its kind to showcase the new expressions of ‘WAMERICAN,’ a style which has continued to evolve over the past seven years, with a focus on original paintings on canvas. I hope tons of people will come to visit!”
Information
BEY SOLO EXHIBITION ‘NEW WAMERICAN’
Dates: November 1 ~ November 4, 2024
Hours: 10:00~20:00
Venue: TRUNK (HOTEL) CATSTREET
5-31 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo[Reception Party]
Date: November 1, 2024
Hours: 19:00~24:00
Admission: Free
DJs: Yuuna Yabe / 50minimals[GOODS]
・L/S TEE
・Hat
・Hand Towel
・Hanafuda Playing Cards
・Teacup Mug
・Original Palo Santo
・StickersBEY’s Instagram：@beytaro_0912
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Model, DJ, and photographer Hikari Shibata will hold her first photo exhibition in five years, THROUGH THE WINDOW, at the FLOAT Gallery in Tokyo for four days starting September 8, 2023.
The exhibition’s title was inspired by Shibata’s shyness, which has always led her to photograph landscapes rather than people. Many photos were taken through windows, and both the view and reflections are meaningful and personal to Shibata herself.
This year’s exhibition features photos of daily life taken in Copenhagen, Denmark’s largest city, where Shibata stayed for a total of three weeks in March 2023. It will also feature photographs snapped in Berlin, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Shibata will visit the gallery in person to present her creations. In addition to the sale of exhibited photographs, guests will also be able to purchase T-shirts, hats, and Shibata’s first photobook, the latter of which is available in limited quantities. The self-published 112-page hardcover book was entirely designed by Shibata herself. T-shirts will be available in two colors and feature the title of the exhibition, while hats will come in three colors with an embroidered graphic image of the sun reflected in a window.
Information
THROUGH THE WINDOW (Hikari Shibata Photo Exhibition)
Running: September 8-11, 2023 / 13:00-20:00
Venue: FLOAT (3-1-9 Megurohoncho, Meguro-ku, Tokyo)
*Please be aware that admission may be restricted in the event of crowding.[Profile]
Hikari Shibata
Born in Kanagawa in 1997, Shibata is a model, DJ, and fashion director, known for sharing her life and unique fashion sense on social media. Her interest in photography dates to her high school days, and along with her work in Japan and abroad, she’s handled visuals for apparel brands and CD jackets. This will be her fourth photo exhibition.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peepinsidehead5862
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shibatahikari/
PEEP INSIDE HEAD: https://peepinsidehead.com/ -
FRUITS ZIPPER Holds First Anniversary Concert, Announce Appearance at the ‘Sayonara Nakano Sunplaza Music Festival’ in June
On May 4, the 7-member idol group FRUITS ZIPPER held the first Tokyo performance of their first-anniversary concert tour at Toyosu PIT.
Tickets for both the Tokyo and Osaka shows sold out immediately after they went on sale. To celebrate the first anniversary of the group's debut, the lucky fans who were able to snag tickets came together at Toyosu PIT.
In the year since their debut, FRUITS ZIPPER has skyrocketed in popularity, performing live at several idol festivals and some of Japan's largest fashion events, and successfully touring Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Their show at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA garnered incredible attention.
For the first anniversary concert, the stage was transformed by a special set and the member appeared in new never-before-seen costumes. They performed a total of 17 songs, and each member expressed their gratitude to their fans during the MC segments.
During the performance, it was announced that the group would perform at the Sayonara Nakano Sunplaza Music Festival on June 26. The venue, which has seen countless performances over its long history, will be demolished and replaced to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Fans are excited to see their favorite artists perform on this legendary stage, and many are curious to see how it will be transformed in the future.
FRUITS ZIPPER has also released the song Cho Medetai Song ~Konnani Shiawasede Iinokana? ~ (The Super Joyful Song ~Is It Okay to Be This Happy?~) on all major streaming services. The track was co-written by Sho Yamamoto, who wrote the group’s hit song Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro, currently with over 700 million views on TikTok, and Gento Miyano, who has written songs for numerous popular artists. The super-happy pop tune has a sound reminiscent of idol tracks from the 2000s and has been a smash hit at live shows, stirring the fans into a frenzy.
Information
<Sayonara Nakano Sunplaza Music Festival Performance Information>
Sayonara Nakano Sunplaza Music Festival
Date: June 26, 2023
Venue: Nakano Sunplaza (Tokyo)Ticket information and additional information will be posted on the official FRUITS ZIPPER Twitter page（@FRUITS_ZIPPER）as it becomes available.
<Release Information>
FRUITS ZIPPER New Single
Cho Medetai Song ~Konna ni Shiawase de Iinokana?~
Streaming Date: May 4, 2023
Streaming URL: https://kawaiilab.lnk.to/CSKSI
Available on all major music streaming and download sites1. Cho Medetai Song ~Konna ni Shiawase de Iinokana?~
2. Cho Medetai Song ~Konna ni Shiawase de Iinokana?~ -Instrumental-<FRUITS ZIPPER Tour Information>
FRUITS ZIPPER Japan Tour 2023 AUTUMN
9/3 – Zepp Namba (Osaka)
9/5 – Zepp Nagoya (Aichi)
9/8 – Zepp Fukuoka (Fukuoka)
9/10 – BLUE LIVE HIROSHIMA (Hiroshima)
9/13 – PENNY LANE24 (Hokkaido)
9/16 – KT Zepp Yokohama (Kanagawa) -
ZEROTOKYO, an entertainment mecca known for heating up Tokyo nights, is teaming up with ASOBISYSTEM to create an exciting new party! ASOBIZA, named after the origin of Kabukicho, will be held on April 28. The lineup includes music artists as well as charismatic figures at the top of their fields in fashion, beauty, and art. Transcending musical genres and generations, this night will embody ZEROTOKYO's concept of being a true “Entertainment Junction.” Additional performers may be announced in the future.
Information
ASOBIZA
Date: April 28, 2023
Venue: ASOBIZA (Tokyo)
Time: 21:00
Admission: ¥3,000 (Presale) / ¥3,500 (Day-of)Buy Tickets
https://zerotokyo.zaiko.io/e/ASOBIZA-230428Event Details
https://asobisystem.com/schedule/43726/ -
Starting March 4, the permanent museum teamLab Forest Fukuoka will transform its artwork into a stunning spring theme. Guests will be able to enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms for a limited time, and starting March 24, the Catching and Collecting Forest will also be transformed in the same way.
TeamLab’s works are created in real time by procedural generation, meaning that they are always changing and evolving. Each work changes depending on the season.
▼Starting March 4
Both Shifting Valley, Living Creatures of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives – A Whole Year per Year and Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives II – A Whole Year per Year are only available to see during spring. Come and see animals made entirely of cherry blossoms as they roam through the museum!
The work titled Soft Terrain in Granular Topography shows multicolored grains of light pouring from the sky, while Flutter of Butterflies, Ephemeral Life surrounds visitors with brightly colored butterflies
▼Starting March 24
In the Catching and Collecting Forest, visitors can explore with their smartphones and catch various animals made entirely of cherry blossoms.
Information
teamLab Forest Fukuoka – SBI SECURITIES Co., Ltd.
Venue: BOSS E･ZO FUKUOKA 5F, Next to Fukuoka PayPal Dome
Address: 2-2-6 Jigyohama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official Site: http://forest.teamlab.art -
The new Tokyo Diary Map series aims to introduce readers to awesome spots in Tokyo that they might want to visit! Each entry features locations recommended by a single artist or talent, and fans will get to not only discover new places to visit in Japan’s capital, but also get to learn more about the thoughts and feelings of these unique individuals.
The first participant in the Tokyo Diary Map series is Atsushi Ogata, a multi-talented TV personality and actor. Last year, he appeared as a beauty-concious man on Nippon TV’s DANCING SANMA PALACE, spurring a major buzz by revealing his cosmetic routine. He’s also a notable actor, having appeared in the papercraft theater company's 7th performance Sekai ga Asa wo Shiroutomo (Though the World May Know Morning), telling the story of a man and a woman, a couple of friends, and a certain woman “until morning.”
-Tell us about your favorite spot in Tokyo!
“Daikanyama T SITE TSUTAYA. I feel like I can really relax there. I love being surrounded by my favorite fashion magazines, and no matter what magazine you pick up, they’re all so exciting and educational. That's what I like about bookstores–you can pick up something you're not usually interested in and learn something new. It’s the best.”
Daikanyama T SITE TSUTAYA 16-15 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo https://store.tsite.jp/daikanyama/
- How do you like to spend your time at Daikanyama T SITE TSUTAYA?
“I pick up a new book, find a seat, and take my time reading. I like people-watching and checking out people’s fashion too. Also, there’s a nice café called ivy place nearby, where I can read while having a relaxing cup of coffee.”
Ivy Place
東京都渋谷区猿楽町16-15
https://www.tysons.jp/ivyplace/
-You studied fashion design in the United States. How did that experience influence you? How do you want to make use of that experience going forward?
“Learning about fashion at art school was very inspiring. It was also very interesting to see how people with different ethnic backgrounds dress and to see their individual personalities. For example, I saw high school students wearing backpacks instead of using school bags. I just loved seeing people’s unique fashion. It made me realize something that I still believe in to this day–that there’s nothing more beautiful than wearing what you like in your own way. I’d actually like to create my own clothing brand in the future, so I hope to put my high school fashion design studies to good use.”
-Which apparel stores do you frequent?
I always peek into Dover Street Ginza!
Dover Street Ginza Ginza Komatsu West Building (6-9-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) https://ginza.doverstreetmarket.com
-What fashion styles are you interested in lately?
“I like a lot of different genres, but lately I've been into chic styling, like pairing shirts and sweaters. I dream of dressing like Thom Browne. I want to try to buy at least one piece from his collection.
-You post a lot of illustrations on your Instagram. Do you usually like to draw? When do you lke to create?
“I bought an iPad to draw because I really wanted something to do something new during COVID. For me, when I plan time to draw something, it never goes well, so I tend to just draw when inspiration suddenly strikes. I have no particular style, I just draw whatever I want!”
-What inspires you as someone so expressive? What has piqued your interest lately?
“I get inspiration from a wide range of different people. It could be people walking on the street, people on the train…lately, I’ve been meeting the most inspiring and wonderful people. Listening to their stories is what inspires me the most. Fashion inspires me, humanity inspires me, people’s auras inspire me.”
-Finally, please give a message to those who are planning on coming to Japan!
“Japan is just wonderful. It’s the best. The food, the people, the scenery, all of it is incredible. Once you visit, you’ll definitely want to come back. Please come and enjoy!” (Laugh)
Information
Ryo Ogata
In 2021, Ogata began his career as an actor and model.
His upbringing exposed him to dance, English, and art from an early age, helping to craft his current appeal.公式Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/ryokun_39
公式TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@ryoogata