Exhibitions
Japan: From Myth to Manga, an exhibition that reveals how mythology inspires art and pop culture
The international exhibition Japan: From Myth to Manga invites the public to discover how ancient Japanese legends and beliefs continue to influence contemporary art, design, anime, and pop culture. Through historical artifacts, modern objects, and interactive experiences, the exhibition offers a visual and sensory journey through the rich cultural heritage of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The exhibition at the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City brings together traditional representations of gods and mythical creatures with reinterpretations in contemporary media, showcasing the continuity between Japanese spiritual heritage and modern creativity. This highly anticipated exhibition will be on view until January 11, 2026.
Divided into four main thematic sections—sky, sea, forest, and city—the exhibition offers a journey that connects the diverse symbolic worlds of Japanese mythology with contemporary artistic and creative expressions. Throughout the exhibition, visitors can appreciate more than 150 pieces ranging from traditional kimonos, antique toys, and origami figures to pop culture icons such as Tamagotchis, video games, and elements of contemporary Japanese design.
Each section offers a different experience: the sky explores the deities and legends that inhabit the firmament; the sea delves into the fantastic creatures that emerge from the depths; the forest invites you to discover the spiritual link with nature; and the city celebrates the urban vitality of modern Japan, where tradition and technology coexist.
The exhibition is rounded out with sculptures, contemporary artworks, designer fashion pieces, and a selection of film clips from Studio Ghibli, the legendary animation studio that has reinterpreted Japanese myths with a unique sensibility. The result is an immersive experience that reveals how the ancient and the modern constantly engage in dialogue within Japanese culture, shaping an imaginary world that fascinates the entire globe.
Following its successful presentation at the renovated V&A in the United Kingdom, the exhibition Japan: from myth to manga arrives for the first time in Latin America, taking place in one of the most emblematic venues in the Historic Center of Mexico City.
Its arrival in the country not only celebrates the growing enthusiasm for Japanese culture among younger generations—fueled by anime, cosplay, and video games—but also invites deeper reflection on the values, symbols, and aesthetic sensibilities that have defined Japanese art throughout the centuries. The exhibition thus proposes a dialogue between tradition and modernity, between ancient folklore tales and contemporary expressions that continue to shape the imagery of modern Japan.
