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Naoki Urasawa Exhibition and Manga Editor Conversation at Japan House London

Today, Japan House London begins its free exhibition entitled This is Manga – the Art of Urasawa Naoki,which will run until July 28. Urasawa's manga include 20th Century Boys, Monster, Pluto, Master Keaton and Yawara.

According to the exhibition's press release:

"This retrospective exhibition will introduce Urasawa's ideas from inception through development, with more than 400 original drawings and storyboards on display. Selected stories from seven of his major works will be presented, highlighting the breadth of the artist's narrative styles. There'll even be a reading corner with full English translations of his bestselling stories.

"And, through changing displays, four consecutive stories from 'Yawara!' (pictured above left) will be presented over the course of the exhibition, one story every two weeks, encouraging you to return again and again to experience the work in the weekly serial style of many Japanese comic anthologies."

Japan House has also announced a talk, "Editing Manga: Ichiro NAKAGUMA in Conversation with Nicole ROUSMANIERE." It will take place on Thursday June 13, from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., followed by a drink reception. The talk is free but must be booked here. It is described as follows:

"One important yet lesser known aspect of the manga industry is the editing process. Many manga artists are followed step by step by dedicated editors who have been appointed by their publishing houses and establish a close and mutual relationship with them during the development of the story on the page.

"In this talk, Ichiro Nakaguma, Senior Manga Editor at Shogakukan, explores the broad role of editors in manga and the significance of their relationship with the artists, introducing chapters from selected works such as 'Akagari' ('The Red Rat in Hollywood') by Osamu Yamamoto and ‘Himiko’ by Mariko Nakamura. Nakaguma will be joined in conversation by Nicole Rousmaniere, Curator of the current Citi exhibition Manga at the British Museum.

"Ichiro Nakaguma began working for Shogakukan Inc. in 1988. Starting in the editorial department of Big Comic Original, he then went on to work at other young adult magazines such as Big Comic Spirits, Young Sunday and Big Comic. From 2016 to present, he has been editor-in-chief of 'Big Comic Original'. He initiated a number of titles including 'Showa Tennou Monogatari' ('Story of Emperor Showa') and 'Akagari' ('The Red Rat in Hollywood'), both of which are currently running in the Big Comic Original."