Mangas, this is the name of the exhibition which should please fans and the curious. From November 19, 2025 to March 9, 2026, the Guimet Museum in Paris offers you a fascinating immersion in the world of Japanese comics, from Hokusai to Naruto, through a rich and unique journey in three parts.
THE sleeves arrived in France in the early 1980s, and quickly found their audience. In 2023, 39.6 million copies were sold in France, or more than one in two comic book titles, according to GfKa global market research institute. A figure down compared to previous years, but which remains high enough to make France the second manga country in the world, behind Japan. Today, manga appeals to young people and adults alike, and many titles are available in bookstores, for all audiences. The most knowledgeable know the difference between a shonen, a shojo, a seinen, a seijin…
The Guimet museumrecognized for its exceptional collection dedicated to Asian arts, offers a unique encounter between tradition and modernity. The exhibition begins with an exploration of the origins of mangahighlighting historical works such as painted scrolls, prints and illustrated books of the 18th and 19th centuries. This first part reveals the influences that shaped manga: the satirical press, the kamishibai (street image theater), and the first steps of cartooning. We also discover the pioneers of modern manga, such as Osamu Tezukawhich paved the way for generations of manga artists.
The journey does not stop there: it also explores the evolution of manga throughout the 20th century. Lovers of pop culture will find emblematic characters like Narutodialoguing in an unprecedented way with the museum's historical collections. The exhibition highlights new narratives and experiments between genres, revealing the creative richness of contemporary manga. A strong point of this part is the presentation of haute couture dressesdirectly inspired by the manga universe, highlighting the global influence of this art.
The second part, located on the second floor of the museum, looks back at the humorous and edifying works of past centuries, before the appearance of modern manga. We discover how, from this time on, Japan used captivating images and stories to represent characters with humor or exaggeration.
Finally, a special room is dedicated to the famous print of Hokusai, Sous the great wave off Kanagawa. You will be able to admire its multiple reinterpretations, particularly in mangas and Franco-Belgian comics, highlighting the cultural dialogues that are woven around this iconic work.
Don't miss this exhibition which promises to be rich, to discover from November 19, 2025 to March 9, 2026enough to delve into the history and world of manga, between artistic heritage and contemporary creations. An essential visit for all those who wish to discover or rediscover this art which fascinates throughout the world.
France
