Manga: a language that speaks to everyone.

The Guimet Museum: Manga: A Whole Art .

In our world, there are many ways to communicate an idea, a story, or simply both. One popular example is Manga, which seamlessly blends storytelling and illustration. But one of the most common methods since the earliest times has been through storytelling and illustration. Right? Moreover, what better way than to use both to show the world not only how we see things, but also to tell a powerful story. This can move people.

Currently, the Guimet Museum in Paris is hosting an exhibition on manga culture. In this exhibition, you can find works that have inspired iconic manga characters from Naruto, One Piece and Fairy Tale. The exhibition runs from 19 November 2025 to 9 March 2026. So, what are you waiting for? Go and discover these works born out of Japanese culture.

Manga and Japanese Folklore: An Immersive Exhibition

Firstly, this exhibition immerses visitors in Japanese culture and manga. Indeed, all our favourite manga are inspired by a place, myth or legend drawn from Japanese folklore.

In this exhibition, visitors are immersed in the unknown world of painted scrolls and illustrated books from the 18th and 19th centuries. These are presented for their artistic value and their influence on manga. Additionally, they show their graphic and historical processes.

Indeed, these works testify to how widely Japanese visual stories can cover a spectrum of genres. This ranges from the most hilarious humour to the most inspiring tales.

Japanese Myths and Legends in Manga

In manga, the influence of tales and legends plays a big part in creating the most incredible and captivating stories. Take Kishimoto, the mangaka behind Naruto and its sequel Boruto.

In Naruto, we follow the adventures of the young ninja Uzumaki Naruto, who hosts the nine-tailed fox demon Kyubi. This character draws directly from the legendary Kitsune (狐), a fox spirit from the yōkai family of Japanese supernatural creatures, demonstrating how Japanese mythology and religious traditions continue to shape manga storytelling and inspire its fantastical elements. This reference reflects the deep influence of Japan’s religious and artistic traditions on the narrative.

The Kitsune and Religious Symbolism in Naruto

This creature has many powers, one of which is the ability to take the form of a young woman. As the legend says, they are messengers of Inari (goddess of rice and commerce). They are cunning by nature and like to play tricks on humans. Although Kyubi, also known as Kurama, is a bit different, there are some similarities between them and the Kitsune.

Kishimoto also drew inspiration from mudra hand gestures associated with Buddhist rituals for the spells (jutsu) used by his characters. All of this is directly inspired by Japanese religious and artistic culture.

Traditional Japanese Theatre and Demon Slayer

However, Kishimoto is not the only one. Many mangaka draw inspiration from myths and legends, as well as references to other forms of Japanese art.

The mangaka of Demon Slayer, for example, explores themes in her work which echo traditional Japanese theatre, such as memory, family ties, and the ability to feel compassion for those whom pain has turned into monsters. All of this is visible through characters such as Kamado Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko, Tomioka Gyuu, and Gyomei Himejima.

The parallels with theatre are evident in the masks, as kyōgen is a central element of nô theatre.Demon Slayer remains the only manga that producers have adapted for the Noh stage.

Chinese Influence in Dragon Ball

However, we could also mention Dragon Ball, whose mangaka drew inspiration from Journey to the West, a Chinese novel in which the main character is a Monkey King. Hence the name Son Goku. In addition, his magic cloud and extendable staff are taken from Chinese legend.

This influence does not stop there. It not only inspires works such as the shōnen manga of our childhood mentioned above; it also leaves an indelible mark on the literary and artistic world.

Genre Crossovers: From Shōnen to Gekiga

This exhibit also shows how the different genres inspire each other, as in Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin), a manga by Isayama Hajime. This work is based on shōnen codes, but its darkness also makes it very similar to the gekiga genre. Indeed, it echoes the apocalyptic fantasy of Akira and Barefoot Gen.

Barefoot Gen (Hadashi no Gen) is an autobiographical manga by Nakazawa Keiji that tells the story of a survivor of the Hiroshima bombardment. This story is inspired by Nakazawa’s own experience. This is why his descriptions of the blast, the death of his family and the pain of the victims of radiation all sound like fragments of his memories on paper.

It is this realistic and brutal aspect that makes this work a gem. This is because it not only reflects a story of horror but also retraces the suffering of a people and serves as a historical reminder. Similarly, Attack on Titan confronts us with the horrors, brutality and fears of war and totalitarian regimes.

Shōjo Manga: A Softer Alternative to Shōnen

However, the manga industry is not just about sword fights, combat and muscles. One other very popular genre that offers a contrast to shōnen is shōjo (manga for girls). Shōjo is known for romantic and slice-of-life stories that have a gentle and peaceful tone. They inspire many subgenres, such as fantasy manga, and also have connections to sports manga.

For example, Mashima Hiro continues the legacy of magical manga and shōnen such as Fairy Tail and One Piece. In Fairy Tail, he draws on modern fantasy from Europe and America, where authors integrate magic, imaginary worlds, and wonder directly into everyday reality, thereby creating a universe in which the extraordinary becomes part of daily life. This influence becomes visible through tournaments, journeys, and epic battles that structure the narrative. Fairy Tail is very similar to Harry Potter in its magical aspects.

The Global Influence of Manga on Contemporary Culture

Furthermore, manga has also inspired many artists around the world. From cultural references in series, films, and books to the creations of great designers on the catwalk, manga continues to influence contemporary artistic expression.

However, fashion draws inspiration not only from manga but also from Japanese culture in general. The exhibition clearly highlights this influence in the section dedicated to The Great Wave off Kanagawa, presenting it as a timeless masterpiece of Japanese art. In this section of the exhibition, visitors can admire the universal symbol of the tension between the human condition and vulnerability.

Indeed, Under the Great Wave of Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai. This print combines strength and precision. Because of the sharpness of the contours and the visibility of the lines, this work stands as a powerful symbol. Moreover, it plays an important role in the art of comic books and in clear-line illustration.

Additionally, the piece influenced the world of haute couture, appearing on Suzurka-san, a handcrafted embroidered and hand-painted linen coat created by John Galliano for Dior’s Spring/Summer 2007 haute couture collection. Its drape, in turn, evokes the elegance of the imperial kimono.These prints are proof that traditional art has a strong impact on other fields.

Tis exibit, is very intersting don’t waste time and go see it and enjoy this beautiful exibition .

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