PostWar Japanese Anime/Manga is an exciting exhibition running April 6-June 1, 2003 at The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the creation of anime's most seminal character, Astro Boy, the exhibition connects the roots of anime with current works of particular international popularity including DRAGON BALL Z, DIGIMON, POKÉMON, and SAILOR MOON. Postwar Japanese Anime/Manga features the screening of ground-breaking Japanese animation series broadcast on American television from 1963-1970: ASTRO BOY and KIMBA THE WHITE LION, created by famed Osamu Tezuka; GIGANTOR by Yokoyama Mitsuteru and 8 MAN by Jiro Kawata.
The exhibition features original cels, contel drawings, manuscripts, photographs and memorabilia. Previously thought lost, "Expedition to Mars," from the original ASTRO BOY series, will be screened for the first time in 30 years. There will be a panel discussion with Japanese anime scholars from the Japan and the U.S., as well as educational programs such as, "Creating Your Own Animation" and character drawing instruction.
The 7-week exhibit opens April 6, celebrating the day ASTRO BOY was born. An opening reception will mark the superhero's creation by the "father of Japanese animation," Tezuka. The birthday boy will also be featured on May 4 in a special screening of previously thought lost episodes from the original ASTRO BOY collection. Not seen in 30 years, "Expedition to Mars" was recently re-discovered in a collector's vault. In addition to this exclusive showing, vintage clips from seminal anime works will be continuously screened for the duration of the exhibit.
Local vendors and collectors will gather in the Community Gallery, offering a wide variety of manga goods and collectibles on April 6, May 10 & 11. Gallery hours are noon to 5:00 pm Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday; it is closed on Mondays and holidays. The Japanese American Cultural And Community Center is located in L.A.'s Little Tokyo at 244 South San Pedro Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets). Admission is free. For more information contact Hirokazu Kosaka at (213) 628-2725, ext. 127 or Email at info@jaccc.org.
