What this is
This retrospective exhibition celebrates manga artist Kono Shiro's 30-year career, bringing together over 500 original manga pages at the Himeji Literature Museum. The show spans her entire creative life, from teenage works and pre-debut materials through to her most recent creations, offering a rare longitudinal view of an artist's development. Alongside original manga pages, the exhibition includes illustration originals, picture book artwork, blog sketches, and never-before-seen video footage documenting her creative process. It represents a significant milestone for an artist who has spent three decades contributing to the manga industry, and stands as one of the most comprehensive solo manga retrospectives to be staged in the Hyogo region.
Who should go
Manga enthusiasts and aspiring artists will find this exhibition particularly rewarding, given the sheer volume and variety of original materials on display. Those with an interest in the craft and technical side of manga production will benefit from the video footage showing Kono Shiro's creative process — a rare window into how a professional manga artist actually works. Art students, illustrators, and anyone curious about how an artist's style evolves over three decades will also get a great deal from the show. Arrive early in the day to give yourself enough time to work through all 500-plus original pages without feeling rushed.
Good to know
Tickets can typically be purchased at the Himeji Literature Museum box office on the day; check the museum's official website for advance online ticket options. The museum is a mid-sized cultural institution in Himeji and is generally a seated-viewing, gallery-style space — comfortable shoes are recommended as you will be on your feet browsing 500-plus pages. Cash is the safest payment option at the venue, though some Japanese museum shops and ticket counters now accept IC cards. Foreign visitors should note that English-language signage at the Himeji Literature Museum may be limited, so bringing a translation app is advisable. The two-period structure of the exhibition means some works may differ between visits, so returning with your used ticket for the discounted second period is worthwhile.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.