The Musée national des arts asiatiques - Guimet presents a major cultural event: the exhibition Manga. Tout un art ! will run from 19 November 2025 to 9 March 2026, occupying three different spaces within the museum. It places manga in its cultural context and in dialogue with the institution’s permanent collections. The first section explores the origins of manga through traditional materials: original drawings, manga magazines, painted scrolls and illustrated books from the 18th and 19th centuries, alongside objects, prints, and early forms of Japanese animation such as kamishibai. The legacy of Osamu Tezuka, a foundational figure in modern manga, is prominently featured. The second section focuses on contemporary manga, presenting iconic works from Japanese pop culture alongside historical artworks from the museum. Visitors are invited to explore the evolution of themes, narratives, and styles across various genres, engaging in a visual dialogue between tradition and innovation. The third and final section examines manga’s influence on other art forms, particularly fashion and European comics. On display are haute couture garments inspired by manga culture, as well as visual references echoed in other areas of creative expression. Curated by Estelle Bauer, curator of the Japanese collections, and Didier Pasamonik, journalist and manga expert, the exhibition aims to tell the story of manga’s origins, diffusion, and cultural cross-pollination. It is designed to offer an accessible and immersive experience for audiences of all ages. In France, where manga ranks second in terms of publishing volume, such an exhibition holds particular cultural relevance. A museum traditionally dedicated to classical Asian art here opens a window onto Japanese pop culture, granting manga historical and artistic legitimacy in a museum setting. Manga. Tout un art ! offers a comprehensive visual and cultural narrative of manga, from its beginnings to its impact on fashion and Western art. It is a must-see for fans of Japanese culture and for anyone seeking to understand a global phenomenon through a historical and artistic lens.
