Toshima Ward Tokiwa-sō Manga Museum Special Exhibition: Fujio Akatsuka's 90th Birthday 'Birth of the King of Gag Manga: Fujio Akatsuka Exhibition ~It All Began with 'Nama-chan'~'
The Toshima Ward Tokiwa-sō Manga Museum will hold a special exhibition commemorating the 90th anniversary of Fujio Akatsuka's birth, titled 'Birth of the King of Gag Manga: Fujio Akatsuka Exhibition ~It All Began with 'Nama-chan'~' from April 4th to July 26th, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: April 4, 2026 at 01:39
Toshima Ward Tokiwa-sō Manga Museum will host the special exhibition "Birth of the King of Gag Manga: Fujio Akatsuka Exhibition ~It All Began with 'Nama-chan'~" commemorating the 90th anniversary of Fujio Akatsuka's birth, starting on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
## Fujio Akatsuka's 90th Birthday "Birth of the King of Gag Manga: Fujio Akatsuka Exhibition ~It All Began with 'Nama-chan'~"
This exhibition is a special retrospective that delves into the tumultuous creative life and unique expressive world of Fujio Akatsuka, known as the "King of Gag Manga," in celebration of his 90th birthday. Throughout the exhibition period, over 100 precious original artworks from his debut period as a shojo manga artist, the pivotal gag manga "Nama-chan" created during his Tokiwa-sō era, popular works like "Osomatsu-kun," and his representative work "Tensai Bakabon," along with numerous materials that served as his sources of inspiration, will be displayed. The exhibition will thoroughly dissect the evolution of Akatsuka's works and the true nature of "laughter."
Furthermore, newly discovered, unreleased interview footage of Fujio Akatsuka will be premiered at the venue, offering insights into the conflicts and philosophies behind his works, as well as the "inner world" of the man himself.
## Comments from Ward Official
Regarding the upcoming exhibition, a ward official stated, "We have heard that Mr. Akatsuka, who initially felt he wasn't particularly successful, awakened with his work 'Nama-chan' during his early days at Tokiwa-sō. Please enjoy Mr. Akatsuka's incredible journey that began from Tokiwa-sō."
**What is "Nama-chan"?**
"Nama-chan" is Fujio Akatsuka's memorable first serialized gag manga (published in Akita Shoten's "Manga-Oh" from December 1958 to May 1962). This work, which humorously depicted the daily life of a boy and his family interactions with his mother, is a monumental piece considered the prototype of Akatsuka's gag style.
## Exhibition Display
## Special Exhibition Overview
* **Exhibition Period:** Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
* **Closed:** Mondays (or the following weekday if a holiday), May 7, 2026 (Thursday)
* **Opening Hours:** 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM)
* **Special Admission Fee:** Adults ¥500, Elementary and Junior High School Students ¥100 (includes merchandise). Preschool children, individuals presenting a disability certificate and one caregiver are free.
* **Organizer:** Toshima Ward
* **Sponsorship:** Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Toshima Future Culture Foundation
* **Special Cooperation:** Fujio Production
* **Cooperation:** Tokiwa-sō Collaborative Project Council
* **Planning & Production:** Tezuka Productions
(Please ensure to include the © notation when publishing the main visual.)
* This release PDF can be downloaded here: [link]
Keywords: Tokiwa-sō, Tokiwa-sō Manga Museum, Special Exhibition, Fujio Akatsuka, Gag Manga, Nama-chan, Osomatsu-kun, Tensai Bakabon, Event, GW
## Fujio Akatsuka's 90th Birthday "Birth of the King of Gag Manga: Fujio Akatsuka Exhibition ~It All Began with 'Nama-chan'~"
This exhibition is a special retrospective that delves into the tumultuous creative life and unique expressive world of Fujio Akatsuka, known as the "King of Gag Manga," in celebration of his 90th birthday. Throughout the exhibition period, over 100 precious original artworks from his debut period as a shojo manga artist, the pivotal gag manga "Nama-chan" created during his Tokiwa-sō era, popular works like "Osomatsu-kun," and his representative work "Tensai Bakabon," along with numerous materials that served as his sources of inspiration, will be displayed. The exhibition will thoroughly dissect the evolution of Akatsuka's works and the true nature of "laughter."
Furthermore, newly discovered, unreleased interview footage of Fujio Akatsuka will be premiered at the venue, offering insights into the conflicts and philosophies behind his works, as well as the "inner world" of the man himself.
## Comments from Ward Official
Regarding the upcoming exhibition, a ward official stated, "We have heard that Mr. Akatsuka, who initially felt he wasn't particularly successful, awakened with his work 'Nama-chan' during his early days at Tokiwa-sō. Please enjoy Mr. Akatsuka's incredible journey that began from Tokiwa-sō."
**What is "Nama-chan"?**
"Nama-chan" is Fujio Akatsuka's memorable first serialized gag manga (published in Akita Shoten's "Manga-Oh" from December 1958 to May 1962). This work, which humorously depicted the daily life of a boy and his family interactions with his mother, is a monumental piece considered the prototype of Akatsuka's gag style.
## Exhibition Display
## Special Exhibition Overview
* **Exhibition Period:** Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
* **Closed:** Mondays (or the following weekday if a holiday), May 7, 2026 (Thursday)
* **Opening Hours:** 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM)
* **Special Admission Fee:** Adults ¥500, Elementary and Junior High School Students ¥100 (includes merchandise). Preschool children, individuals presenting a disability certificate and one caregiver are free.
* **Organizer:** Toshima Ward
* **Sponsorship:** Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Toshima Future Culture Foundation
* **Special Cooperation:** Fujio Production
* **Cooperation:** Tokiwa-sō Collaborative Project Council
* **Planning & Production:** Tezuka Productions
(Please ensure to include the © notation when publishing the main visual.)
* This release PDF can be downloaded here: [link]
Keywords: Tokiwa-sō, Tokiwa-sō Manga Museum, Special Exhibition, Fujio Akatsuka, Gag Manga, Nama-chan, Osomatsu-kun, Tensai Bakabon, Event, GW
FAQ
What are the main highlights of this special exhibition?
The main highlights include over 100 precious original artworks from Fujio Akatsuka's early days as a shojo manga artist up to 'Tensai Bakabon', and the premiere screening of his unreleased interview footage.
What are the exhibition dates and closing days?
The exhibition runs from April 4, 2026 (Sat) to July 26, 2026 (Sun). It is closed on Mondays (or the following weekday if it's a holiday) and on May 7, 2026.
What is the admission fee?
Adults are ¥500, and elementary/junior high school students are ¥100 (with merchandise). Preschoolers and those presenting a disability certificate (and one caregiver) are free.