1 hour in the Manga Hokusai Manga Exhibit

7/26/2017 - 5:30 PM - GMT+8

By: Seth Legaspi

I visited this gallery on a whim when I received a couple of e-mails about it and I was really surprised.

I was expecting a normal art gallery with paintings and some works of art displayed on walls and some stands in the middle, but what I got was an experience similar to reading that of tankōbon. There are even instructions on how to enjoy the exhibit, just like in the English versions of most tankōbon. (Yes, the exhibit is from right to left, top to bottom)

To add to the experience, the exhibit even has these markers that serve as an introduction into the next part of the exhibit.

The exhibit displayed art that ranged from the first examples of manga towards the more modern forms of manga. It even included how to draw manga at the end. I even learned more about the history of manga in this exhibit. 

There was also a manga corner that contained tankōbon in both English and Japanese formats. I like how the literature was displayed in such a way that the top shelf, which most kids have a difficulty in reaching, had literature that seemed to be made for more mature audiences. Meanwhile, the bottom contained literature friendly to kids, like a manga all about cats.

I really had fun spending time in this exhibit and I was even surprised when I had already spent 55 minutes looking at art. I really suggest that you folks check this exhibit out if you have the time. There was also very interesting information about Mr. Hokusai, and some more information on his family as well. If any of you have watched or read Sarusuberi and found it to be an amazing movie or manga experience then you'll find this exhibit to be very interesting because- uhh... The exhibit's title says it all, so yeah, go if you're a fan of Hokusai or manga in general, you'll find it fun. Of course, if you don't know what I'm talking about, but you're also interested in Japanese Culture like me, then you will also find this exhibit fun, due to the many stuff they have placed in there.

The exhibit is located in the Ateneo Art Gallery, and is stated to be only open until July 28, 2017. More details about it can be found on this website.