Functions of the Museum
This is a next-generation museum that will greatly contribute to society through various functions and activities, from research/studies and museum/library services to human resources development and creation of a new industry and culture
Research and studies of materials
The Museum will conduct research and studies on manga culture using large volumes of manga books and other related materials housed in the museum. The Museum will also be actively involved in collaborative research projects with academic research institutions in Japan and abroad, and with regional facilities and other manga-related facilities, and will establish an information network to enable collaborative facilities to share data and materials. Moreover, in collaboration with writers, editors, publishers and other staff members involved in manga production, the Museum will work to promote practical application of its research results.
- Research and studies on the history and culture of manga
- Interdisciplinary and comprehensive studies on manga
- Contributions to academic research at the international level
Operation of the museum/library
The Museum will collect manga materials systematically and establish a database. Currently, the Museum holds a collection of approximately 200,000 items, including valuable historical materials and popular contemporary works in Japan, in addition to masterpieces from various other countries. The plan is to increase the collection to over 300,000 items by 2008 by adding materials produced after the Edo period, foreign manga books, magazines, animations and other related materials, thus making the MuseumAfs collection of manga materials the largest in the world. The Museum will hold diverse exhibitions, making full use of both analog (actual books and magazines, etc.) and digital (electronic data) materials.
- Collection and storage of manga books and related materials
- Viewing of materials / Data searching
- Exhibitions on manga culture and research results
Training to produce qualified researchers/specialists
The Museum aims to serve as a base for training and fostering researchers and specialists who will play leading roles in promoting manga culture in the future. The Museum will support the research activities of up-and-coming researchers and students by encouraging them to participate in research projects, providing them with opportunities to present research results, making materials available for viewing and research access, and establishing an information network. Through these activities, the Museum will meet the needs of frontline teachers and students in the educational setting. The Museum will work actively to provide training programs to develop innovative creators as well as curators and librarians.
- Support for research activities of researchers and students
- Fostering creators
- Fostering curators and librarians
Creation of a new industry
Manga, a new form of art and culture, offers great potential for industrial development. The Museum will collect examples of social uses of manga in Japan and abroad and examine its effects and problems, so as to research and develop a model for using manga as a communication tool and for business purposes. Moreover, the Museum will seek new functions and roles through various activities such as making research results available to the public, and holding special themed exhibitions.
- Research and development on business models through collaborative efforts between industry, government and academia
- Tourism promotion
- Research and development on museum facilities and functions
Promotion of lifelong learning / Creation of culture
The Museum will promote international cultural exchange through manga culture. Such activities include hosting the “International Manga Summit (International Cartoonists Convention)” to be held in 2008, under an invitation by Kyoto City. The Museum will also establish a system to accept researchers and students from various countries around the world, and develop and implement student exchange programs. Moreover, the Museum will hold workshops and seminars for local residents and develop learning programs and materials for young children and elementary school students.
- International cultural exchange through manga
- Development of learning programs for young children and elementary school students
- Holding workshops and seminars for local residents