Exhibition highlights 30 years of Kana manga

The Brussels Museum of Comics, in partnership with Kana Editions, will host an exhibition titled Mangatopia: 30 Years of Manga Signed by Kana! from October 16, 2026, to May 17, 2027. The event will showcase the evolution of manga over three decades, featuring works from approximately forty artists, including well-known names like Inio Asano, Ai Yazawa, Naoki Urasawa, and Jiro Taniguchi.

Exhibition explores manga’s creative process

The exhibition will provide insight into the creation of manga, from initial sketches to final published works. It will include original panels, some of which are being shown outside Japan for the first time, along with facsimiles and reproductions that highlight the artistic and technical details of the medium.

Inio Asano designs exhibition poster

Inio Asano, known for Good Night Punpun and Dead Dead Demon's Dededededestruction, designed the exhibition’s poster. The event will also feature video interviews with several manga artists, some of whom rarely speak publicly, and will require extensive coordination with Japanese publishers and rights holders.

Exhibition maps manga’s diverse worlds

Thought of as an imaginary city, Mangatopia offers a subjective exploration of manga’s various universes, from adventure and fantasy to more personal and intimate stories. The exhibition seeks to avoid limiting manga to a few popular genres or well-known series, instead emphasizing its broad range and complexity.

Exhibition honors Yves Schlirf’s legacy

The exhibition will also pay tribute to Yves Schlirf, founder of Kana Editions, who passed away in September. By celebrating Kana’s 30-year legacy, the museum aims to highlight the ongoing cultural exchange between Japan and Europe, which continues to inspire new generations of creators and readers.