Comics from Africa have been an unknown world to Japan until now. This exhibition presents African comic culture with a focus on francophone African countries, from the perspectives of history and works, artists, fan culture, publishing forms, and more. We showcase, magazines, books, and reproductions of original comic artwork by more than 15 African artists, and we will explore the characteristics and charm of African manga through photos of fan events.
Furthermore, you will get to know the “now” of African comics, which have started moving under the influence of Bande Dessinée (Francophone comics), American comics, and Japanese manga. Feel a new side of Africa, and the power of comics that transcends borders.
Featuring African artists:
- Elyon’s [Republic of Cameroon]
- Seydina Issa Sow [Republic of Senegal]
- Koffi Roger N’Guessan [Republic of Côte d’Ivoire]
- Ultimes Griots [Republic of Côte d’Ivoire]
- SID [Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria]
- Matougui Fella [Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria]
…and others
There will also be events featuring guest African comic artists, and African cultural experience workshops. Please take the time to enjoy this opportunity.
Hoshino René “The results of an African boy growing up in Japan”
© Hoshino René / Mainichi Shimbun Publishing
Seydina Issa Sow “Cayor”
© Seydina Issa Sow
Ultimes Griots Group “Ultimes Griots”
© Ultimes Griots Group
Elyon’s “The diary of Ebene Duta”
© Elyon’s
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum 2F Galleries 1, 2, 3
Hours
10:30 - 17:30 (admission until 17:00)
Closed
Every Wednesday, Nov 16 (Thu), New Year’s Holiday (Dec 26 – Jan 4)
Fee
Free * However, a General Admission ticket to the Museum is required
*On Nov 21 (Tue), admission to the museum is free because it is Kansai Culture Day.
Pre-purchase
* Same-day tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machine at the entrance.
* Admission tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machine on the day of your visit or can be pre-purchased online.
Related events
Symposium
The “African people” in comics
For this symposium we are honored to have invited guests Hoshino René, a manga artist born in Cameroon and raised in Japan who works in Japan, and Seydina Issa Sow, a manga artist whose work has been published in Senegal, who will discuss how Africans are portrayed in comics.
* This event will have consecutive interpreting between Japanese and French. English interpreting will not be provided.
Date
Nov 4th (Sat) 2023, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F Multipurpose Hall
Speakers
Hoshino René (manga artist)
Seydina Issa Sow (manga artist)
Moderator: Ito Yu (Kyoto Seika University International Manga Research Center)
Capacity
150 people (first come first served basis)
Participation method
Pre-registration required (same day registration may be possible if space allows)
A registration button (Sign up in French) will be added here closer to the date.
Talk show
Influence of Japanese manga in francophone African countries: The story of Cameroonian artist Elyon’s
We are honored to hold a talk show event featuring guest speaker Elyon’s, comic artist from Cameroon, and organizer of the International Comic Festival “Bilili” in the Republic of the Congo.
* This event will have consecutive interpreting between Japanese and French. English interpreting will not be provided.
Date
Nov 12th (Sun) 2023, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F Multipurpose Hall
Speakers
Elyon’s (comic artist)
Moderator: Sookyung Yoo (Kyoto Seika University International Manga Research Center)
Capacity
150 people (first come first served basis)
Participation method
Pre-registration required (same day registration may be possible if space allows)
A registration button (Sign up in French) will be added here closer to the date.
Co-organizer: Institut Français Kyoto
Workshop
West African traditional mud dyeing “bogolan” experience
In this workshop you can experience “bogolan”, traditional West African mud dyeing, where you dye materials by using mud, like painting a picture.
* This event will be held in Japanese.
The photo is a sample image.
1. Lunch placemat
Date
Jan 27th (Sat) 2024, 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F atrium workshop corner
Fee
1500 yen (material cost included)
* However, a General Admission ticket to the Museum is required
Instructor
Chika Rinu (Traditional West African mud dyer)
Capacity
6 people (first come first served basis)
Participation method
More details will be provided here at a later date.
2. Coaster
Date
Jan 27th (Sat) 2024, 1:00 – 3:30 pm (Time required: 15 to 30 minutes)
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F atrium workshop corner
Fee
500 yen (material cost included)
* However, a General Admission ticket to the Museum is required
Instructor
Chika Rinu (Traditional West African mud dyer)
Capacity
20 people (first come first served basis/ 4-seat shift system )
Participation method
More details will be provided here at a later date.
Workshop
Live performance and rhythm experience by African percussion and dance group BACHIKONDOOO
We will hold a hands-on workshop using traditional West African percussion instruments such as the djembe. Additionally, there will be a dynamic live African dance performance by BACHIKONDOOO, followed by an African dance workshop where you can practice simple steps and enjoy the rhythm and sound.
* This event will be held in Japanese.
1. Djembe experience
Date
Feb 12th (Mon) 2024, 1:45 – 2:15 pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F Multipurpose Hall
Instructors/performers
Fujii Yoh (Professional Djembe player)
Capacity
10 people (first come first served basis)
Participation method
More details will be provided here at a later date
2. Live dance performance and dance workshop
Date
Feb 12th (Mon) 2024, 2:40 – 3:40 pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F Multipurpose Hall
Instructor
BACHIKONDOOO (African percussion & dance group)
Capacity
100 people (first come first served basis)
Participation method
More details will be provided here at a later date.
Note:
From November 2nd (Thu) to 6th (Mon), there will be an African food truck at the museum, run by a chef who worked for the Embassy of Guinea in Japan.
On November 11th (Sat), there will be an event called ” African Marché”.
Hoshino René “The results of an African boy growing up in Japan”
© Hoshino René / Mainichi Shimbun Publishing
Hoshino René
Born in Cameroon in 1984, Hoshino came to Japan at the time of his mother’s marriage when he was 3 years old, and grew up in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. As he did not yet understand the language at all, he started drawing as a means of communication. After graduating high school, he worked at construction companies and restaurants. When he was 25 years old, he moved to Tokyo to become a broadcast writer. Currently, he works as a media talent, while also taking advantage of the drawing skills that have been his weapon since childhood. He draws and publishes manga about his own upbringing and experiences. His published works include “The results of an African boy growing up in Japan” (Mainichi Shimbun) and “Hoshino René’s wonderful world of words: A collection of proverbs from around the world discovered by an African boy” (Shueisha).
Seydina Issa Sow “Cayor” © Seydina Issa Sow
Seydina Issa Sow
Born in Paris in 1988 and raised in Senegal, he grew up exposed to French and Belgian Bande Dessinée, American comics, and Japanese manga from childhood. After graduating with a master’s degree in international trade and international business in France, he began drawing manga in earnest while working in Dakar, Senegal. He created SIS Illustration, a publishing platform for manga and comics, and launched his work “Sidy” and “Cayor” in 2019. The fantasy manga Cayor is set in the Cayor Kingdom which was located in present-day Senegal. It has attracted many Senegalese readers, and as of 2003, four volumes have been published.
Elyon’s “La vie d’Ebène Duta” © Elyon’s
Elyon’s
Born Joëlle Epée Mandengue, in 1982 in Cameroon, Elyon’s studied graphic arts in Belgium after majoring in modern literature in Cameroon. Her work has been published in the famous Belgian comic magazine Spirou, and in magazines in Cameroon and Algeria. In 2014, she launched her first book “La vie d’Ebène Duta” (The diary of Ebène Duta) through crowdfunding.
This work which depicts the daily life of the protagonist, a member of the African Diaspora, has been published in both English and French editions, and as of 2023 there are 3 volumes in the series. In addition to her work as an artist, she is also involved in the planning and management of comics workshops, festivals, and exhibitions.
This exhibition and events are supported by the Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative (JEC) Fund.
Co-sponsors: Kyoto Shimbun, Kyoto Seika University African Asian Contemporary Culture Research Center
*Please note that the schedule, performers, and contents are subject to change.
