A Prescription of Essay Manga for My Heart
April 25 (Sat) - September 1 (Tue), 2026
And what exactly is essay manga? It is generally understood to be nonfiction manga based on the artist’s personal experiences and knowledge, but many works also weave in fictional elements. This exhibition re-examines the breadth and appeal of the genre.
Additionally, creating essay manga is an extremely delicate process, of artist drawing on their everyday life as the source of their stories. It is precisely because these stories emerge from lived experience that readers are able to empathize, laugh, cry, and at times even feel “saved.” And in some cases, the act of drawing may also “save” the artist. It may sound like an exaggeration, but there surely are people whose lives have been changed by essay manga.
In this exhibition, we trace the evolution of essay manga while introducing a selection of outstanding works which offer diverse perspectives relevant to us today, including the experienced insights of the exhibition’s curatorial team.
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 2F, Galleries 1, 2 & 3.
Admission
* Tickets for same-day admission 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.
Opening hours
10am-5pm (last entry at 4:30pm)
Closed
Every Wednesday (or the following day if a public holiday falls on a Wednesday)
As well as the periods Jun 15th (Mon) – Jun 19th (Fri)
* The museum will remain open between periods Apr 25th (Sat) – May 12th (Tue) and Jul 23rd (Thu) – Aug 25th (Tue)
Exhibition Structure / Contents
（1） Exploring the origins of essay manga
We focus on essay manga within shojo manga from the 1970s onward which were an essential starting point for the genre that is now known by the name “comic essays.”
（2） The establishment of essay manga as a genre
We examine how essay manga developed into a unique genre, from the classic reportage style works that emerged in the 1980s, to the parenting essay manga boom of the 1990s, and the illustrated essays featured in fashion magazines.
（3） The establishment of comic essays as a genre
We spotlight the major hits in the comic essay category spearheaded by Media Factory (now KADOKAWA) and the emergence of artists who specialize in comic essays. We also explore the development of semi-fictional comic essays, as well as creators whose works, though fictional, are generally considered to fit within the comic essay framework due to their format or drawing style.
（4） Expanding! Expanding! Essay Manga
The themes of essay manga have become increasingly diverse, and many artists have risen to prominence through the web (blogs, social media, and digital comics). Here we explore the vastly expanding current state of essay manga.
■ 50 prescriptions that work for those of us living in the now
From beauty and parenting to family, friendship, illness, and tidying up, we present recommended works from a variety of perspectives. These selections have been chosen primarily by members of the exhibition production team and are introduced in the form of short written essays.
■ In line with the above structure, a total of 330 original artworks by 27 manga artists will be on display (with rotations).
-
Sakura Momoko10 reproductions of original artwork from Hitorizumō [One-person sumo].
-
Yamagishi Ryoko10 original artworks from Yūrei-dan [Ghost stories] and Dokusha kara no yūrei-dan [Ghost stories from readers].
-
Saibara Rieko10 original artworks from Uramishuran [Grudge Michelin], Dekiru kana returns [Return of maybe I can], and Darling wa 70-sai [My darling is 70 years old], etc.
-
Aonuma Takako22 original artworks from Mama wa Poyopoyo-saurusu ga o-suki [Mama loves the Poyopoyo-saurus], etc.
-
Uchida Shungicu10 original artworks from Watashi-tachi wa hanshoku shiteiru [We are reproducing].
-
Ito Risa20 original artworks from Onna no hashori-michi [Women’s shortcut].
-
Yoshida Sensha11 digital exhibit panels from Manga oya [Manga parent] and Dekake oya [Going out parent].
-
Anno Moyoco10 original artworks from Bijin gahō [Beauty Pictorial].
-
Kera Eiko12 original artworks from Sekirara kekkon seikatsu [Candid married life].
-
Oguri Saori42 original artworks from Darling wa gaikokujin [My darling is a foreigner].
-
Takagi Naoko26 original artworks from 150cm life and Hitori-gurashimo 5-nen-me [5th year living alone], etc.
-
Masuda Miri22 original artworks from Kyō no jinsei [Today’s life].
-
Nohara Hiroko30 original artworks from Kieta mama tomo [Disappearing mom friend].
-
Hosokawa Tenten8 original artworks from Tsure ga utsu ni narimashite [My partner became depressed].
-
Tabusa Eiko10 original artworks from Haha ga shindoi [My mother is exhausting].
-
Higashimura Akiko12 original artworks from Mama wa tenparisuto [Mama is flustered] and Kakukaku shikajika [So-and-so, such-and-such]
-
Fukumitsu Shigeyuki16 original artworks from Boku no shōkibo-na shippai [My small-scale failures] and Boku no shōkibo-na seikatsu [My small-scale life], etc.
-
Yoshimoto Koji20 original artworks from Teigaku-sei otto no kodzukai banzai ~ Getsugaku 2 man sen'en no kinketsu life [Hooray for a fixed-rate husband’s allowance: A broke life on 21,000yen a month]
-
Seino Tooru25 original artworks from Akabane Kita-ku Tokyo and Gohan sukī [I love rice], etc.
-
Mankitsu13 digital exhibit panels from Sō desu, watashi ga biyō baka desu [That’s right, I’m a beauty fool] and Yūyū wonder land [Hot water play wonderland].
-
Yamamoto Saho15 digital exhibit panels from Okazaki ni sasagu [Dedicated to Okazaki].
-
Nagata Kabi10 original artworks from Sabishi sugite rezu fūzoku ni ikimashita repo [My lesbian experience with loneliness].
-
Yabe Taro11 digital exhibit panels from Ōya-san to boku [My landlady and me].
-
Tsudui14 original artworks from Fujoshi no Tsudui-san [Tsudui, the rotten girl]
-
Mamekichi Mameko11 digital exhibit panels from Mamekichi Mameko nīto no nichijō [Mamekichi Mameko’s daily NEET life], etc.
-
Mame9 digital exhibit panels from Bonjin style [Ordinary person style].
-
Gregory Aoyama8 original artworks commissioned for this exhibition Kyōmachiya datta jikka no hanashi [The story of my family's Kyoto townhouse].
* Some original artwork exhibits will be changed during the exhibition (first period: April 25th to June 14th, second period: June 20th to September 1st)
* Exhibits will also include storyboards and concept notes, magazine materials, and books that can be read in person.
Related Events
●Let's talk essay manga! behind the scenes and roundtable discussion with the exhibition production team
Members of the exhibition production team will discuss essay manga, highlights of the exhibition, and more.
Date and time
2026, Apr 26th (Sun), 1pm-4pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 2F, Gallery 6.
Speakers
Kawahara Kazuko (Exhibition Supervisor, Manga Essayist)
Takeuchi Miho (Exhibition Supervisor, Associate Professor of Seisa Dohto University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Design)
Ishii Akane (Exhibition Curator, Curator of Kitakyushu Manga Museum)
Kuramochi Kayoko (Exhibition Lead Curator, Curator of Kyoto International Manga Museum)
Capacity
50 people
How to participate
Advanced registration required, first come first served.
Please click the application button below and fill in the required information to apply.
*This event will be held in Japanese only.
*The application form is in Japanese.
*If we receive an overwhelming number of applications, the venue may be changed to the Multipurpose Hall on the first floor. In this case, we will make an announcement on our website.
*You can participate on the day if there are seats available.
*This event will also be live-streamed on the Kyoto International Manga Museum YouTube channel
（https://www.youtube.com/user/kyotomm1）
*Please refrain from recording or screen-recording.
*The live stream will not be archived.
Organizer:
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Co-organizers:
Japan Society for Studies in Cartoons and Comics, Shojo Manga Magazine Research Group and Kansai Exchange Networking Group
●Tsudui’s dance performance, photo, and book signing event with Mamyu
Tobidase! Tsudui-san [Take off! Tsudui] vol 3 cover.
©Tsudui
To celebrate the release of her new book, this event will feature a dance performance and an instant camera photo shoot by Tsudui, an artist featured in the exhibition. The museum's mascot character, Mamyu, will also be making an appearance.
Date and time
2026, May 17th (Sun)
Session 1: Noon – 2pm, Session 2: 3pm – 5pm (Same content for both sessions)
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F, Multipurpose Hall
Speakers
Tsudui (Manga Artist)
Fee
1,500 yen
*A signed copy of the new book is included in this fee.
*Registration with the electronic ticket sales site TIGET is required to purchase tickets.
*All fees associated with ticket purchases are the responsibility of the purchaser. *Cancellations will not be accepted after the ticket lottery application period has closed.
*If unexpectedly you cannot attend the event, you are able to receive a signed copy at the museum on a later date (we cannot send copies by mail).
*Admission fee to the Kyoto International Manga Museum will also be required.
Capacity
50 people
How to participate
Advanced registration required.
Please click the application button below and fill in the required information to apply.
*This event will be held in Japanese only.
*The application form is in Japanese.
*If there are a large number of applications, a lottery will be held (automated by TIGET).
*You can only apply for one person, per application.
Applications open: Mar 3rd (Tue), 12 pm
Lottery application deadline: Apr 1st (Wed), 11.59pm
Lottery results announced: Apr 2nd (Thu), 12pm
After the results are out, applicants will be notified by email or can view the results on their TIGET Page.
Organizers
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Cooperation
Bungeishunju Ltd.
●The story behind the birth of comic essays, from the author and editor of Darling wa gaikokujin [My darling is a foreigner].
A talk show event with Oguri Saori and Matsuda Noriko, with a book signing to celebrate the release of the new edition of My darling is a foreigner.
A talk show event with Oguri Saori and Matsuda Noriko, with a book signing to celebrate the release of the new edition of My darling is a foreigner.
Color illustration from Darling no ataman-naka [Inside darling’s head]
©Oguri Saori
This talk show will feature Oguri Saori, author of My darling is a foreigner, which sparked the current boom in comic essays and is featured in this exhibition, together with Matsuda Noriko, the editor of the same work and a pioneering figure in the genre. Following the event, there will be a book signing session with the author and Tony László, the model for the protagonist of the manga, to celebrate the publication of the new full-color edition of My darling is a foreigner.
＜Talk Event＞
Date and time
2026, Jun 28th (Sun), 1pm-3pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F, Multipurpose Hall
Speakers
Oguri Saori (Manga Artist)
Matsuda Noriko (Editor in Chief of 888 Comic Essay run by Overlap, inc.)
Host
Yoo Sookyung (Lecturer of Kyoto Seika University, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Liberal Arts, Researcher of Kyoto Seika University International Manga Research Center)
Kuramochi Kayoko (Exhibition Lead Curator, Curator of Kyoto International Manga Museum)
Capacity
200 people
How to participate
Advanced registration required, first come first served.
Please click the application button below and fill in the required information to apply.
*This event will be held in Japanese only.
*The application form is in Japanese.
*Applications will be open from Mar 3rd, 12pm, until 1pm on the day of the event.
*Applications will close once capacity is reached. (If there are cancellations, applications will still be accepted. However, we do not accept requests to be put on a waiting list.)
Organizers
Kyoto Seika University International Manga Research Center, Kyoto International Manga Museum
＜My darling is a foreigner: All-color new edition launch celebration signing event＞
Date and time
2026, Jun 28th (Sun), 3.15pm – 4.30pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F, Multipurpose Hall
Speakers
Oguri Saori (Manga Artist)
Tony László (Real-life figure behind the protagonist of Darling wa gaikokujin, Journalist)
Eligibility
Purchase a copy of Darling wa gaikokujin (new full color edition) from the museum shop
Capacity
50 people
How to participate
No advanced registration required.
On the day of the event, purchase the designated book at the museum shop, in order to receive a numbered ticket. (One ticket per person).
Tickets will be handed out from 10am, while supplies last.
Organizers
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Cooperation
Overlap, inc.
●Gregory Aoyama's book launch signing and comic essay drawing class
Original illustration by Gregory Aoyama commissioned for this exhibition
Kyōmachiya datta jikka no hanashi [The story of my family's kyoto townhouse]
©Gregory Aoyama
Kyōto motto fukabori sampo [A even deeper-dive stroll of Kyoto]
©Gregory Aoyama
A book signing session with Gregory Aoyama, an artist featured in this exhibition who has created a new work themed around Kyoto, as well as a workshop about to draw comic essays, will be held on the dates outlined below.
＜Gregory Aoyama's new book release & 30th anniversary debut commemoration: First-ever manga artist signing event＞
Date and time
2026, Apr 26th (Wed, Holiday), 2pm – 3.30pm
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F, Conference room.
Speakers
Gregory Aoyama (Manga Artist)
Eligibility
Purchase a copy of either Kyoto Motto Fukabori Sampo, Kyoto Fukabori Sampo or Kyouhaku Fukabori Sampo at the museum shop
Capacity
50 people
How to participate
Advanced registration required, first come first served.
Please click the application button below and fill in the required information to apply.
*This event will be held in Japanese only.
*The application form is in Japanese.
*Applications will be open from Mar 3rd, 12pm, until 10am on the day of the event.
*Applications will close once capacity is reached. (If there are cancellations, applications will still be accepted. However, we do not accept requests to be put on a waiting list.)
*You can participate on the day if there are seats available.
Organizer
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Cooperation
SHOGAKUKAN Inc.
＜Comic essay drawing workshop＞
Date and time
2026, Jul 26th (Sun), 13:00 – 16:00
Venue
Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1F, Conference room.
Speakers
Gregory Aoyama (Manga Artist)
Capacity
15 people
Suitable age
Any
*Children aged 9 or younger must be accompanied by up to one parent or guardian.
(Children under 12 year-old are not permitted to enter the museum alone. They must be accompanied by a guardian aged 13 or older.)
*If you would like to participate with a companion, please apply separately.
How to participate
Advanced registration required, first come first served.
Please click the application button below and fill in the required information to apply.
*This event will be held in Japanese only.
*The application form is in Japanese.
*Applications will be open from Mar 3rd, 12pm, until 1pm on the day of the event.
*Applications will close once capacity is reached. (If there are cancellations, applications will still be accepted. However, we do not accept requests to be put on a waiting list.)
Note
Art supplies (manga manuscript paper, fine-point pens, colored markers, white ink, pencils, erasers, etc.) will be provided.
Organizer
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Exhibition catalogue sales
An exhibition catalog, published by Seigensha, will be available for purchase at the museum shop from the opening day of the exhibition. Original exhibition merchandise is also in production.
Organizer：Kyoto International Manga Museum
Cooperation：Kitakyushu Manga Museum
* Please note that the schedule and contents are subject to change.
