The Kadokawa Musashino Museum in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, is set to host “DESIGNS Mamoru Nagano Design Exhibition” from February 10th to March 24th, 2024. This exhibition marks the first large-scale showcase of Mamoru Nagano’s work, a seminal figure in Japan’s manga and anime industry since the 1980s.
Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Nagano’s impressive legacy, with a comprehensive display of materials spanning his entire career. The exhibition aims to provide a panoramic view of his contributions, highlighting his distinctive robot designs and stylish characters that have captivated audiences for decades.
Nagano’s journey began at Nippon Sunrise (now Bandai Namco Film Works) in 1983, where he quickly made a name for himself with his work on the TV anime series “Heavy Fighter L-Gaim.” He continued to gain prominence with projects like “Mobile Suit Z Gundam” and others. A major milestone in his career was the serialization of “Five Star Monogatari” in Kadokawa Shoten’s “Newtype” magazine, a work that remains his magnum opus to this day.
The exhibition will feature a trove of Nagano’s artworks, including original drawings from “Heavy Fighter L-Gaim,” “Mobile Suit Z Gundam,” “Brain Powered,” “Shell Blit,” “Five Star Story,” and “Flower Poet Gothic Maid.” Attendees can expect to see a wide array of illustrations, setting drawings, rough sketches, and even unreleased mecha designs.
Highlights include his original mecha sketches before their commercial debut and award-winning works in the International SF Art Award. The exhibition will showcase approximately 340 pieces, providing a deep dive into Nagano’s creative process and evolution as an artist.
Ticket prices are set at 2,000 yen for advance purchases and 2,300 yen for same-day tickets, with sales starting January 10th. The opening day, February 10th, will feature a special screening of “Flower Poet Gothic Maid” and a talk event with Mamoru Nagano, voice actress Maria Kawamura, and Shinichiro Inoue. This event is a must-visit for fans and newcomers alike, offering a unique glimpse into the world of a pioneering anime and manga artist.
