A new exhibition opened Saturday in Taichung, showcasing the rich history of Taiwan-Japan manga. The show features 324 works that trace how manga evolved in both countries over the past century. It highlights two key pioneers: Taiwan’s Tsai Kun-lin and Japan’s Tezuka Osamu. Many call Tezuka the father of modern manga.
Titled “A Century of Manga Culture: An Encounter of Taiwan and Japan’s Youth,” the exhibit reveals how Taiwan-Japan manga influenced each other through decades. It also explores how censorship shaped manga development in both places. In Taiwan, Japanese manga styles shaped many early works. Readers widely accessed localized versions of famous series like “Doraemon” and “Black Jack” in rental bookstores.
Curator Lee I-yun said one highlight recreates a 1960s rental bookstore. This format first thrived in 1950s Japan and later spread to Taiwan. To comply with censorship laws, publishers often removed or altered Japanese references. Despite these restrictions, readers enjoyed both original Taiwanese comics and adaptations of Japanese manga.
Tsai Kun-lin suffered as a political victim during Taiwan’s White Terror era. Despite strict government controls from 1949 to 1987, he kept publishing comics. In 1966, he launched “Prince Semi-Weekly,” a magazine mainly focused on children’s comics. The publication cleverly skirted the strict censorship rules introduced in 1962. It soon became one of the era’s most popular children’s comic magazines. The magazine also provided an essential platform for Taiwan’s comic artists during challenging times.
The National Taiwan Museum of Comics hosts the exhibition until October 12. This event marks the museum’s first major international exchange since it opened to the public. Visitors can deeply explore the shared history of Taiwan-Japan manga and the cultural exchanges that shaped both countries.
This exhibit offers a rare chance to see how Taiwan-Japan manga grew despite political challenges. It invites fans and cultural enthusiasts alike to discover the stories behind the art and the creators who shaped the medium. The event promises to become a memorable journey for anyone interested in manga culture and history.
