Inoue Takehiko: The LAST Manga Exhibition

[Eluvei]

In 2006, due to the popularity and unique art style of his works, Inoue Takehiko was invited to expose his art at the Ueno Royal Museum in Tokyo. He made over 140 gigantic paintings based on Vagabond for this huge event, which took 6 months of preparations for him and everyone involved. The paintings are not, however, only to show off his artwork; they are like big panels that make a story featuring an old Musashi, serving as an epilogue to Vagabond; the story is set in Reigando cave, the place of Musashi's death. Some of the posters are like huge versions of the pages we usually read on the manga (with dialogues), but the majority of the ones we can find pictures of on the internet are sumi-e paintings. The exhibition was held in June 2008, and was a huge success. In fact, so many people were left without tickets that another exhibition happened in 2009, and now there's a new date schelduled for 2010.

As Griffith told me, it's amazing how we lack information on these exhibitions, so if anyone knows details or new info about them, please share with us.


Ueno

The first exhibit was so successful that most people couldn't get tickets to see it.​

The organizers of the first exhibition released two books that served as catalogues. They feature pictures of all the paintings and an extensive documentary of how everything was made. You can read the exhibit's paintings' official translation, located on The LAST Manga Exhibition complete catalogue here, courtesy of Griffith. There are major spoilers.

There is also a documentary DVD about it.

Inoue has been rolling the offer over in his mind for six months. “What could I do in a museum ? Nothing hit me right away. I didn’t want to just line up my illustrations for people to look at. If I was going to do it, I wanted to do something challenging.”

Then one afternoon, Inoue says, “What if Musashi dies?” Spring was just around the corner.

From one of the catalogues

The books.​

Official website: http://flow-er.co.jp/ueno/


Kumamoto

In 2009, a second exhibition was held at the Contemporary Art Museum, in Kumamoto city (which is the place of Musashi's death) from April to June. A new chance for everyone to see the amazing paintings.

Kumamoto's Contemporary Art Museum​

Official website: http://flow-er.co.jp/kumamoto/


Osaka

Preparations are finally about to start for "The Last Manga Exhibition (Osaka version)".

Again, I've got new artwork and visual posters to draw, and there are many other things to do to build an atmosphere fitting for Osaka. It's fun, and there's a lot of pressure, but I think the fun factor wins.

Thinking back on the reactions of the people in Ueno and Kumamoto makes a little bit of work that much easier to deal with.

It starts January 2nd, 2010. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone again.

From Inoue's October 1st journal entry

Official website: http://www.flow-er.co.jp/osaka/



This is the only place I found with the catalogues for sale: http://halcyonrealms.com/art/inoue-takehiko-the-last-manga-exhibition-complete-catalogue/ (with tons of pictures and more info on the 2008 version of the exhibition). I don't know how spoiler-sensitive you guys are, but keep in mind that the pictures might be considered spoilers to some, the exhibition's theme being what it is. It almost serves as an epilogue to Vagabond, I suppose.

That's it for now! I'll keep updating this thread as we gather more info.

In this thread there is discussion on the contents of the exhibit, which may be considered spoilers even to those who are following the recent episodes.

 

[Griffith]

Awesome find, awesome post!

Here are a couple of other informative picture posts Eluvei sent me from the exhibition from that blog:
http://halcyonrealms.com/japan/inoue-takehiko-the-last-manga-exhibition-part-i/
http://halcyonrealms.com/art/inoue-takehiko-the-last-manga-exhibition-part-ii/

They're also linked from the blog link Eluvei posted.

Anyway, as I told Eluvei, I'm simply blown away by this! To put it in context for Berserk fans, imagine if Miura did a museum exhibit, and the theme was the the future end to the series or even post-series death of Guts. Would that be something you'd be interested in!? It just boggles my mind that this isn't more... out there, and I do hope the complete catalogue becomes more widely available with subsequent showings, and perhaps something even more comprehensive when the exhibits run is over (and wouldn't it be cool if it came to NY or LA! =).

Anyway, what really blows my mind from it and what are my favorite spoiler images, which might be spoilers whether you've read the whole series so far or not, so tread knowingly, are as follows:
http://halcyonrealms.com/blogpics/lmecc05.jpg
Aside from the obvious WOW there, does that boy, particularly his features, look familiar?

 

[Th3Branded0ne]

GREAT! So much stuff for the fans to see and admire. Hopefully as you say Griff, I hope they bring it to the U.S. someday.

 

[slan69]

Anyway, as I told Eluvei, I'm simply blown away by this! To put it in context for Berserk fans, imagine if Miura did a museum exhibit, and the theme was the the future end to the series or even post-series death of Guts. Would that be something you'd be interested in!?

I am not going to lie I would actually like to see that even though I do like Guts, but I like the God hand a lot more than I do Guts. Anyways back to the topic, those artbooks are beautiful, I wish I can get my hands on those someday. Great find Eluvei and Griff!

 

[Eluvei]

More spoiler images from the catalogues! And they're even more spoilerific than the others!

This one is just beautiful: http://sorry061.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/va06.jpg

Anyway, as I told Eluvei, I'm simply blown away by this! To put it in context for Berserk fans, imagine if Miura did a museum exhibit, and the theme was the the future end to the series or even post-series death of Guts. Would that be something you'd be interested in!? It just boggles my mind that this isn't more... out there, and I do hope the complete catalogue becomes more widely available with subsequent showings, and perhaps something even more comprehensive when the exhibits run is over (and wouldn't it be cool if it came to NY or LA! =).

We can surely be hopeful for at least a wider release of the catalogue, since Slam Dunk: 10 Days After was printed on a magazine after its original chalkboard exhibition!

Aside from the obvious WOW there, does that boy, particularly his features, look familiar?

Well noted, he does indeed resemble the guy you're thinking of! I hadn't thought of it myself.

Spoiler

So that's why he was so interested in Matahachi's stories. Goddamn!

 

[Griffith]

More spoiler images from the catalogues! And they're even more spoilerific than the others!

This one is just beautiful: http://sorry061.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/va06.jpg

Wow, those hands clasping are like some Biblical painting you'd see in some grandmother's dining room, very simple but powerful imagery. I wonder, is Ueda making peace with Musashi there?

We can surely be hopeful for at least a wider release of the catalogue, since Slam Dunk: 10 Days After was printed on a magazine after its original chalkboard exhibition!

That would be fantastic, I don't know if I can wait though... and I'm still ludicrously hoping the whole exhibit comes to Los Angeles. =)

Well noted, he does indeed resemble the guy you're thinking of! I hadn't thought of it myself.

Spoiler

So that's why he was so interested in Matahachi's stories. Goddamn!

Yeah, I definitely think it's him, just older and come into his own obviously; I wonder if it's going to turn out he's supposed to be Iori, or one of Musashi's disciples.

 

[Eluvei]

Wow, those hands clasping are like some Biblical painting you'd see in some grandmother's dining room, very simple but powerful imagery. I wonder, is Ueda making peace with Musashi there?

That was also my interpretation of it. Very beautiful, indeed. And to think that there are over 140 drawings with this much quality on the exhibition...

That would be fantastic, I don't know if I can wait though... and I'm still ludicrously hoping the whole exhibit comes to Los Angeles. =)

We'll probably know more once Osaka's version is done!

Yeah, I definitely think it's him, just older and come into his own obviously; I wonder if it's going to turn out he's supposed to be Iori, or one of Musashi's disciples.

I'm glad we'll be able to see Jotaro all grown up, too:
http://halcyonrealms.com/blogpics/lmecc12.jpg

 

[Griffith]

That was also my interpretation of it. Very beautiful, indeed. And to think that there are over 140 drawings with this much quality on the exhibition...

We'll probably know more once Osaka's version is done!

Yeah, I'd love to see them in person, and at least my hope for it coming here isn't completely blind; it's an exhibit that travels, Vagabond is well established in America, and Inoue himself has ties to Los Angeles, having lived there for a year. So, my hope is logical wishful thinking that's still just very, very unlikely. =)

I'm glad we'll be able to see Jotaro all grown up, too:
http://halcyonrealms.com/blogpics/lmecc12.jpg

Good eye, and that reminds me I had a chat with Walter about it the other day, the Jotaro translation comes up:

Griffith: BTW, what's your verdict on LAST manga? Mind a pic?
Walter: LAST manga?
Griffith: "To put it in context for Berserk fans, imagine if Miura did a museum exhibit, and the theme was the the future end to the series or even post-series death of Guts. Would that be something you'd be interested in!?"
Inoue basically drew past the ending of Vagabond already. =P
Mind if I send you some choice imagery?
It's spoilers because... it's the future?
Walter: sure
Griffith: So Inoue drew the end of Vagabond already, he just did it on walls like at the store you visited.
http://halcyonrealms.com/blogpics/lmecc05.jpg
Walter: hey that younger person looks like the kid Matahachi is talking to.
Griffith: Yup.
And this was from 2008.
Walter: very cool
Griffith: I love ancient Mushi.
Walter: wish we had a better look at him
hard to see the resemblance from here
Griffith: http://halcyonrealms.com/blogpics/lmecc06.jpg
Walter: it's there, but it's very delicately hidden behind the age
Griffith: We may get a better look
Walter: the student is saying Sensei at the bottom there, after he coughs.
Griffith: Aaah, so he IS a disciple.
Walter: as if it wasn’t too obvious
Griffith: I was wondering if he was already established or not though.
Maybe the kid had just found Musashi, though he's not a kid anymore there.
Walter: i seem to remember him having at least 2 prominent students before he died
Griffith: Yeah, two brothers.
And Iori by his side.
That was my other guess for this fellow.
http://sorry061.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/va06.jpg
Anyway, there's a ton more links and pictures.
Walter: Man, hes going for broke!
THE END
lets resolve everything in a few panels =)
Griffith: http://sorry061.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/va11.jpg?w=450&h=338
Walter: http://sorry061.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/va02.jpg?w=450&h=338
Griffith: ASS
http://halcyonrealms.com/art/inoue-takehiko-the-last-manga-exhibition-complete-catalogue/
Inoue likes painting in tight jeans, apparently.
Walter: this thing's awesome
oooh the text
Griffith: Yeah, I PMed you the info Eluvei sent me.
It's amazing.
Walter: "Yagyu Jonosuke. My childhood name was Jotaro."
whoa
Griffith: Yep. =)
Guess he's going to stay there.
I love this.
It's like we got a time machine.
Walter: it brings forth a good question
how do we take this stuff?
i mean... are we to believe it or take it as noncanon
Griffith: I'm taking it as canon unless Inoue directly contradicts it.
Considering Jotaro is at the Yagyu now though...
Walter: man...
THE END.
Griffith: Anyway, I want that catalogue.
The full translation, AT LEAST
Walter: great
Griffith: Of course, Viz would release it the week after I got it. =)
Though, it's practically not even MENTIONED on Inoue's site.
Walter: very odd
Griffith: Well, there is this:
http://www.flow-er.co.jp/
But, no where to buy the books yet, except eBay.
Walter: that thing is probably a collectors item only and wont be distributed in the same way again
similar thing with Slam Dunk
Griffith: How was the 10 days after done?
Walter: he later collected his SD ending, but muuuch later
initially in an event like this
at a school, he drew it on a chalkboard
well, several chalkboards
Griffith: Ha!
Walter: and people toured the school looking at each
"page" in a new room
theres a video of it on the site
http://halcyonrealms.com/blogpics/lmecc10.jpg
Mushi growing up?
or is that ... Otsu?
Griffith: Hard to say what that is for sure.
There were well over 100 images.


Update: BTW, I added both artbooks and the making of DVD to the Merchanse section of the Info Desk:

http://www.skullknight.net/forum/index.php?topic=9971.0

 

[Eluvei]

Walter: the student is saying Sensei at the bottom there, after he coughs.
Griffith: Aaah, so he IS a disciple.
Walter: as if it wasn’t too obvious
Griffith: I was wondering if he was already established or not though.
Maybe the kid had just found Musashi, though he's not a kid anymore there.

I'll be honest and tell you that by looking at the pics and considering our speculation of who the kid's father is, I didn't think they were master and disciple. To me, their meeting was more like Musashi's meeting with Sekishusai. Actually, I had this idea pretty solid in my mind until I read Walter's mini-translation above.

Griffith: I'm taking it as canon unless Inoue directly contradicts it.

Griffith: Of course, Viz would release it the week after I got it. =)

I think we can be pretty sure that it's canon, especially considering that the blond kid shows up in the recent episodes. Also, by considering it canon, it's even more likely that Viz releases the catalogue or an equivalent of it. And it also raises the chances of the exhibit to happen in America! And maybe we get to spend an entire evening with Inoue, since we're the largest and most faithful fan community!

Update: BTW, I added both artbooks and the making of DVD to the Merchanse section of the Info Desk:

http://www.skullknight.net/forum/index.php?topic=9971.0

Sweet! I'm happy to see Takuan Bust is there, too. Hahaha!

 

[Griffith]

I'll be honest and tell you that by looking at the pics and considering our speculation of who the kid's father is, I didn't think they were master and disciple. To me, their meeting was more like Musashi's meeting with Sekishusai. Actually, I had this idea pretty solid in my mind until I read Walter's mini-translation above.

Well, there's really no knowing who his parents are, or if it even matters, it's only so intriguing because of the hair and eyes... but there's also no guarantee they aren't still meeting for the first time here, since he might just be addressing Musashi with respect as if he were his master, so you may still be right. I think your comparison to Sekishusai is a good parallel for this in any case.

I think we can be pretty sure that it's canon, especially considering that the blond kid shows up in the recent episodes. Also, by considering it canon, it's even more likely that Viz releases the catalogue or an equivalent of it.

Yeah, there's no reason to think it isn't canon at this juncture, unless Inoue has said otherwise. Though, I'm biased for it because I've passionately wanted the story to continue past the Kojiro duel, and this is perfect. Now, if Inoue did an exhibit with the theme "What if Kojiro had won?" I'd be more dubious, but this is right in line with history and the, projected, plot (though if Kojiro does win in a shocker ending, I'll have to rethink this of course =).

And it also raises the chances of the exhibit to happen in America! And maybe we get to spend an entire evening with Inoue, since we're the largest and most faithful fan community!

Haha, I would definitely shoot his people an email and try to leverage the Inn into an interview! Which reminds me, I should be doing that and other things to raise the profile of the Inn anyway.

Sweet! I'm happy to see Takuan Bust is there, too. Hahaha!

Yup, now I just need to fill in the details on some of the newly added statues and action figures, then I'll add some T-shirts and other merch.

 

[Eluvei]

There's another shot of the mysterious kid here: http://halcyonrealms.com/blogpics/tib03.jpg

It's from a special issue of Brutus Magazine, which apparently covers Inoue's life and works, as well as the exhibit: http://halcyonrealms.com/illustration/brutus-special-issue-takehiko-inoue/

I also found this magazine on Yahoo! Japan auctions, so it's not as rare as the catalogues (thankfully).

Lookin' good!

 

[Griffith]

There's another shot of the mysterious kid here: http://halcyonrealms.com/blogpics/tib03.jpg

Interesting, looks like he's showing his skill, or definitely making some kind of point.

It's from a special issue of Brutus Magazine, which apparently covers Inoue's life and works, as well as the exhibit: http://halcyonrealms.com/illustration/brutus-special-issue-takehiko-inoue/

I also found this magazine on Yahoo! Japan auctions, so it's not as rare as the catalogues (thankfully).

Lookin' good!

Ooh, more sources, nice, and... that Musashi image.

 

[Eluvei]

Ooh, more sources, nice, and... that Musashi image.

I found the official website. There's a nice little preview and an online shop. Check out the exhibit's paintings around Inoue, pretty cool.

http://magazineworld.jp/brutus/642/

 

[Griffith]

Very nice, I wish there was more to the online preview, but I have to say, that virtual magazine interface was pretty cool itself.

Check out the exhibit's paintings around Inoue, pretty cool.

Yeah, I see a couple I don't recognize from the previous postings of the LAST Manga works, like the second most right one; looks like Musashi or his father... with a glowing Jesus heart? Well, that's what it made me think of anyway, that or Tony Stark.

I also notice he also has the cover artwork for volumes 25, 26, and 27 on his wall. Inoue has good taste in his work.

 

[Bekul]

This whole thread is entirely awesome, but I just wanted to mention that your mention of 'Tony Stark' made me think of Inoue doing something with a Marvel character, and y'know,

 

[Griffith]

This whole thread is entirely awesome, but I just wanted to mention that your mention of 'Tony Stark' made me think of Inoue doing something with a Marvel character, and y'know,

That'd certainly be something, and I'm sure they'd take him up on it if he were interested, though we digress...

If not for the blue eyes, I'd swear this was Kojiro...​

 

[Eluvei]

Looks like there's a mini-exhibit happening on a Contemporary Art Museum in Tokyo, and he's showing some of the exhibit's paintings. It's the latest news on I.T. Planning.

"Vagabond," "slam dunk" "real" Takehiko Inoue invented the popular feature films and cartoons, works in brush and ink drawing Lower corner of the entrance to a public exhibition of the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.
Motif of the work, see the morning during the weekly comic series 』still in" Vagabond ".
2008 is expected to continue traveling to Osaka and Sendai to become the subject was held at the Ueno Royal Museum "exhibition last Takehiko Inoue's manga" in height more than three meters showed their epic, this time Giant will far surpass it.

http://www.mot-art-museum.jp/exhibition/108/1

Man, Inoue likes to do stuff all the time, doesn't he? Always doing exhibits, magazine covers, character designs, two mangas at once, DVDs, TV specials...

If not for the blue eyes, I'd swear this was Kojiro...

Yeah, it's hard to think Inoue made them look so much like each other on accident. Even the guy's hair looks wild, like Kojiro's.

 

[Griffith]

Man, Inoue likes to do stuff all the time, doesn't he? Always doing exhibits, magazine covers, character designs, two mangas at once, DVDs, TV specials...

Yeah, I've had the same thought about him, it all seems a bit much. Just doing Vagabond and Real at the same time is ridiculous.

Yeah, it's hard to think Inoue made them look so much like each other on accident. Even the guy's hair looks wild, like Kojiro's.

Yeah, actually, at first sight, I thought it WAS Kojiro.

 

[Eluvei]

MORE STUFF!

A special magazine about the second exhibition, the one held in Kumamoto this year. Apparently there is an extensive interview, a lot of awesome drawings and a conversation between Eiichiro Oda (of One Piece fame, he happens to live in Kumamoto) and Inoue. Oda drew Musashi...

...shaving with his sword! NICE!

This is awesome, especially since Inoue also drew One Piece's Luffy for celebration of the series' 10th anniversary:

Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E4%BA%95%E4%B8%8A%E9%9B%84%E5%BD%A6%E3%81%B4%E3%81%82-%E3%81%B4%E3%81%82MOOK/dp/4835612582/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256689418&sr=1-1

More info here, it's where I got Oda's drawing too: http://www.gottsu-iiyan.ca/gib/index.php/2009/03/12/one-piece-of-vagabond

The owner of this blog seems to, sometimes, translate interviews from Naoki Urasawa (the Monster, 20th Century Boys, Pluto mangaka), and has expressed some interest in translating Inoue's interview. We should beg him to do it for us!

 

[Grail]

I have to echo the comments about Inoue's task-juggling. The man's a workhorse.

And those are some terrific pics! I love that one by Oda, it looks like there's some great detail in there. I wish we could get a bigger picture...

 

[Th3Branded0ne]

I wish we could get a bigger picture...

How about this one Grail?

 

[Grail]

How about this one Grail?

That's a good alternative, but I guess I should have said that a higher quality picture would be terrific. You can barely make out Musashi's stubble, even in the magnified version.

Anyway, it's not a tremendous deal, it's nice enough to get a peek at what's been shown at these exhibitions. I personally wouldn't mind an art catalog of one of the events (indulging in a bit of understatement here), even if it was stuffed full of spoilers.

 

[Eluvei]

That's a good alternative, but I guess I should have said that a higher quality picture would be terrific.

I'd love to see it in high quality too, Grail. But I've searched all over the net and that was sadly the only pic I could find. Well, I invite everyone to search some more!

Meanwhile, check out this huge poster that hanged outside Kumamoto's Contemporary Art Museum, there's a small picture of it on the first post, but I find it breathtaking to see it in high quality:

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/2622/sorariasaigo.jpg

 

[Th3Branded0ne]

. I personally wouldn't mind an art catalog of one of the events (indulging in a bit of understatement here), even if it was stuffed full of spoilers.

This is what I got from an email I sent the guy who has catalogs and a dvd of I think one of the exhibitions

Hello there Aldo, I apologize for the late reply.

The catalogue is USD 99.99, and the dvd USD 79.99. These are very rare items and cannot be found in normal Japanese bookstores.

If you get both items I will ship the dvd for free.

Do let me know if you are keen, and if you are really very interested I am willing to lower the prices a little.

cheers!
yonghow

 

[Grail]

I'd love to see it in high quality too, Grail. But I've searched all over the net and that was sadly the only pic I could find.

I don't doubt it, and don't get me wrong, I think I speak for the other folks here when I say that you've done a lot to help show off so much of Inoue's work. Your efforts are very much appreciated, and if a better shot of Oda's illustration is out there, it must be tucked away in a shadowy and obscure cranny of the Internets.

Meanwhile, check out this huge poster that hanged outside Kumamoto's Contemporary Art Museum, there's a small picture of it on the first post, but I find it breathtaking to see it in high quality:

Haha, now that is one hell of a wall scroll! To see that in person would be kind of surreal.

This is what I got from an email I sent the guy who has catalogs and a dvd of I think one of the exhibitions

Yeah, that's what I suspected... A little rich for my blood, but it is tempting in spite of the price.