Support Point : You are presenting an exhibition from your collections. Why this interest in a manga magazine that is ultimately relatively unknown in France?
Claude Leblanc : During my first stay in Japan, in 1984, I discovered the filmmaker Yamada Yôji and the magazine Garo. They accompanied me throughout my exploration of the country and helped me understand many of its facets.
P. d’A. : Could you tell us a few words about the creation of this magazine and the influence it has had in Japan?
CL: Garo was born from the desire of publisher Nagai Katsuichi and designer Shirato Sanpei to use manga as an educational element for children. If they ultimately do not adhere to the story which is undoubtedly a little too complex, on the other hand, an older audience, students and young adults, will fall in love with Shôsuke’s adventures. From there, the magazine will experience its golden age.
P. d’A. : Who are the emblematic authors of Garo that we can discover today in France?
CL: In recent years, several publishers have taken an interest in the works published in Garo. Cornélius, The Black Lizard, IMHO editions and even Astrabile have decided to go off the beaten track of shônen manga (for adolescents), understanding that the French public was ripe to immerse themselves in it. Tsuge Yoshiharu and his brother Tadao are among the monthly’s key authors. We can also cite Hayashi Seiichi who has become the standard bearer of an intimate manga. Tsurita Kuniko, one of the rare artists to have made a breakthrough in Garo, is also available in French.
Exhibition “GARO 1964 – 1974, a story within History”. Until January 22. All public, free entry.
Dedication meeting: Saturday January 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Claude Leblanc signs his book The Garo Revolution.
Manga library: More than 200 collections are accessible on site or to borrow.
