Mangas at the Musée Guimet, the exhibition that takes us from Hokusai to Naruto

Manga arrived in France in the early 1980s, and quickly found its audience. In 2023, 39.6 million copies were sold in France, representing more than one comic book title in two, according to GfK, a global market research institute. This figure is down on previous years, but is still high enough to make France the world's second-largest manga country, behind Japan. Today, manga appeals to young and old alike, and bookstores offer a wide range of titles for all audiences. Those in the know know the difference between a shonen, a shojo, a seinen, a seijin...

The Musée Guimet, renowned for its exceptional collection of Asian art, offers a unique encounter between tradition and modernity. The exhibition begins with an exploration of the origins of manga, highlighting historical works such as painted scrolls, prints and illustrated books from the 18th and 19th centuries. This first section reveals the influences that shaped manga: the satirical press, kamishibai (street theater), and the first steps of animation. It also introduces the pioneers of modern manga, such as Osamu Tezuka, who paved the way for generations of mangaka.

The tour doesn't stop there: it also explores the evolution of manga through the 20th century. Pop culture fans will find emblematic characters such as Naruto, in unprecedented dialogue with the museum's historical collections. The exhibition highlights new narratives and experiments between genres, revealing the creative richness of contemporary manga. A highlight of this section is the presentation of haute couture dresses, directly inspired by the manga universe, underlining the worldwide influence of this art form.

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The second section, on the museum's second floor, looks back at the humorous and edifying works of past centuries, before the appearance of modern manga. Here we discover how, from that time onwards, Japan used captivating images and stories to portray characters with humor and exaggeration.

Finally, a special room is devoted to Hokusai's famous print, Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa. You can admire its many reinterpretations, notably in manga and Franco-Belgian comics, highlighting the cultural dialogues that are woven around this iconic work.

From November 19, 2025 to March 9, 2026, don't miss this exciting exhibition, which plunges you into the history and universe of manga, between artistic heritage and contemporary creations. A must-see for anyone wishing to discover or rediscover this art form that fascinates people the world over.