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Time Out
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Embark on a creative journey through time and space at the Leiji Matsumoto exhibition
Few would argue against the late Leiji Matsumoto as one of Japan's most visionary manga artists. Best known for sci-fi epics like Space Battleship Yamato, Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock, the Fukuoka native conjured up incredibly intricate worlds to convey a deeply humanistic message. This summer, the master storyteller's seven-decade career and the creative cosmos he envisioned can be explored in great detail at Tokyo City View, where ' Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition: A Creative Journey ' is on show until September 7. The first large-scale retrospective dedicated to Matsumoto, who passed away in 2023, the exhibition traces the evolution of an artist whose pen moved across space and time with unshakable conviction and emotional resonance. Among the highlights on display is a trove of original drawings discovered in the artist's studio after his death, each a testament to his precision, poetic imagination and narrative mastery. These hand-drawn works, some shown for the first time, allow you to rediscover Matsumoto as both a craftsman and a dreamer. Here's what else to look forward to at the exhibition. The departure platform in the sky Before stepping into the world of Leiji Matsumoto's imagination, you're invited to begin your travels in the sky. High above the city, a familiar scene awaits: an evocative recreation of the departure platform from Galaxy Express 999. The melody of 'Ballad of Departure' plays softly through the exhibition space, and a large screen projects animated scenes. This prologue makes a fitting start to a journey of memory, hope and eternal imagination. Zone 1: The Leiji Meter Born 1938 in Kurume, Fukuoka, Matsumoto began drawing at the age of six. His early life, shaped by the hardships of wartime Japan, was filled with machines and dreams of flight, influenced by his father, a former army pilot. The exhibition begins by tracing the artist's formative years from his debut in the 1950s to the anime boom of the 1980s. Showcased in the introductory section are milestones from Matsumoto's early insect-themed manga and poignant coming-of-age stories to genre-defining sci-fi adventures. Each phase is marked by a symbolic 'Leiji Meter', a narrative gauge emblematic of his works, charting both personal and artistic growth. Zone 2: A boundless creative universe While working in a modest four-and-a-half tatami room, Matsumoto conjured up worlds that stretch to the farthest reaches of the cosmos. His stories are populated with rich philosophical questions about life, death and human connection. The exhibition recreates his creative space by way of immersive installations and original art. Visitors can follow the interstellar voyage of Galaxy Express 999 's Tetsuro Hoshino, a boy who seeks eternal life through a mechanical body and ends up learning about the complexities of existence. From the mysterious women who guide his protagonists to ultra-detailed mecha and space battleships, the exhibition reveals how Matsumoto's narrative finesse and illustrative rigor created a singular artistic language. It's a world where delicate linework and vivid imagination come together to forge timeless mythologies. Zone 3: Leiji Matsumoto, the artisan In the monochrome world of manga, colour illustrations carry immense weight, serving as a story's visual milestones. Matsumoto's original colour drawings, often set against a backdrop of deep-space blue and flecked with stars, are a symphony of improvisation and compositional elegance. These pieces encapsulate the emotional gravity of his stories in a single frame. The finale of the exhibition is a tribute to Matsumoto as a visual poet – one who sent dreams into orbit with every stroke of his pen. A timeless legacy Matsumoto's influence permeates today's Japanese pop culture, from manga and anime to toy design and cinema. His female characters, notably Maetel from Galaxy Express 999, reflect a fusion of classical beauty, ballet-like grace and dramatic expressiveness, while his mechanical designs, based on real-life study and tactile exploration, remain among the most iconic in sci-fi. Whether he was sketching a spaceship or crafting dialogue in antique-style scrolls, Matsumoto infused his work with signature quirks and deeply personal touches. The exhibition goes beyond the art on display to emphasise this subjective aspect, providing a glimpse into Matsumoto's philosophy. Including a short documentary and heartfelt personal messages from Leiji Matsumoto, 'A Creative Journey' reminds us of the importance of constant curiosity and the enduring power of storytelling.
Time Out
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Evangelion's 30th-anniversary art exhibition is happening later this year
It's almost time to get in the robot again. From November 14 2025 to January 12 2026, Tokyo City View will be hosting 'All of Evangelion', an art exhibition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved Evangelion franchise. As its name suggests, the exhibition will span the entirety of Evangelion's decades-long history, featuring everything from original cels and drawings from the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series to never-before-seen digital materials from the Rebuild of Evangelion films. With planning support from big names like Studio Khara, the Anime Tokusatsu Archive Centre and more, the event is bound to offer plenty to enjoy for both casual and die-hard Eva fans alike. Directed by Hideaki Anno and produced by animation studio Gainax, Neon Genesis Evangelion follows the story of 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, a boy recruited to pilot a giant mech known as an 'Eva' to fight mysterious creatures called Angels. Released in October 1995, the 26-episode animated series has since spawned several films, spin-offs, video games and a vast multitude of merch collabs ranging from Fila to McDonald's.
Tokyo Weekender
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Upcoming Anime and Manga Events in Tokyo: June 2025
Looking for an anime event to nerd out at? We've got you covered for the month of June. Take a look at all of the exciting anime-themed pop-up shops, cafes and art exhibitions in our list below. List of Contents: Tokyo Anime and Manga Events in June Related Posts Tokyo Anime and Manga Events in June Bleach: The Locus of the Brave II From June 11 to July 13, dive into the world of Bleach with this special Tokyo exhibition! Explore exclusive production materials, behind-the-scenes footage, immersive experiences, and stylish photo spots. Also, don't miss the mysterious "Kurosaki" corner and tons of exclusive Bleach goods. Date & Time Jun 13-Jul 13・11:00-20:00 Price TBA Location Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou-Park More Details Leiji Matsumoto Manga Exhibition The "Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition: A Journey of Creation" exhibit at Tokyo City View showcases more than 300 original drawings, including Matsumoto's early works and never-before-seen content from "Galaxy Express 999" and "Space Pirate Captain Harlock." Date & Time Jun 20-Sep 07・10:00-20:00 Price Location Tokyo City View More Details My Hero Academia Original Art Exhibition The globally acclaimed manga series My Hero Academia is being honored with a special exhibition in Tokyo, celebrating creator Kohei Horikoshi's artistic journey and the series' conclusion after a remarkable 10-year run. This exhibition offers fans a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of one of Japan's most successful modern manga series up close. Date & Time Jun 21-Aug 31・10:00-20:00 Price ¥2200 Location CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO More Info Discounts for students More Details © Sotsu, Sunrise Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Exhibition A special exhibition of the latest work in the Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuuX (Siege Ax) -Beginning-, is currently being held. Date & Time May 24-Aug 11・11:00-19:00 Price Free Location Anime Tokyo Station More Details Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition In 2003, Tokyo was blessed with the Ghilbli 3D sculpture exhibition. Now, 22 years later, it is back and bigger than ever. Dive into the worlds of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Pom Poko with full-scale sculptures from the films. You can even see the Savoia S-21 flying boat from Porco Rosso. Date & Time May 27-Sep 23・09:30-20:00・Last Entry at 19:00 Price ¥1,900 Location Warehouse TERRADA B&C HALL More Details Related Posts Japan's First AI-Powered Anime Set To Debut This March Prophetic Manga predicts a Great Cataclysm Will Hit Japan in July 2025 Manga Manners: How Sailor Moon and Eren Yaeger Are Teaching Japanese Etiquette in JR Stations
