Culture

Celebrating 50 Years of Shojo Manga Magazine 'Hana to Yume'

Renowned for hit manga series such as "Fruits Basket," Hakusensha is marking 50 years of its "Hana to Yume" magazine with a Tokyo exhibition until June 30.

Published

4 weeks ago

May 31, 2024

The Sankei Shimbun

Preview of the 50th Anniversary Hana to Yume Exhibition on March 23 in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. (©Sankei by Shunsuke Sakamaki)

The shojo manga magazine Hana to Yume, published by Hakusensha, has been cherished by fans worldwide for 50 years. To celebrate this milestone, the 50th Anniversary Hana to Yume Exhibition showcases original artworks from timeless classics to popular ongoing series.

Organized by Hakusensha and The Sankei Shimbun, the exhibition opened on May 24 at Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills. With "party" being the event's theme, the venue radiates a festive and vibrant atmosphere.

*Around 200 original manga artworks are displayed at the exhibition. May 23. (©Sankei by Shunsuke Sakamaki)*

Featuring 200 Original Artworks

This is the largest Hana to Yume exhibition to date, featuring around 200 original works from 74 artists whose stories have graced the magazine's pages over its 50-year history. Notable highlights include debut cover illustrations from Suzue Miuchi's Glass Mask and Shinji Wada's Sukeban Deka, both serialized in the magazine's first issue in 1976.

Also on display is artwork from Saki Hiwatari's Please Save My Earth, originally published in color on the first few pages of the issue that began its serialization.

Additionally, the exhibition features the cover illustration of the magazine issue that contained the final chapter of Natsuki Takaya's Fruits Basket. A new color illustration from Mizuho Kusanagi's Yona of the Dawn, created for this year's furoku (magazine freebie), also makes its debut.

*Poster for the 50th Anniversary Hana to Yume Exhibition.*

Desks Used by Famous Artists

Besides original artwork, the exhibition includes several interactive corners. In one area, Hana to Yume editors share little-known stories about the manga artists and their works.

Another area recreates the artists' workspaces, featuring detailed replicas of Mizuho Kusanagi's analog work desk and Ryoko Fukuyama's digital workspace. Additionally, visitors can enjoy omikuji (fortune-telling paper strips) with famous quotes from Patalliro! by Mineo Maya.

The exhibition also offers a variety of cute merchandise, such as acrylic charms with motifs featuring the iconic tricolor of the Hana to Yume Comics imprint. THE SUN & THE MOON Cafe, adjacent to the exhibition venue, offers special menus inspired by Glass Mask and Fruits Basket.

Event Details

Dates: May 24 (Fri) – June 30 (Sun)
Location: Tokyo City View (52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Organizers: Hakusensha, The Sankei Shimbun
Official exhibition website: https://www.hanayume-ten.com/