Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release Special Thanks to Evon Fung Astro Boy, Hello Kitty, Pokemon. Sound familiar? This April, the Japan Foundation Sydney presents their latest exhibition, "Japan: Kingdom of Characters". The exhibition will run from 8 April through to 28 May at the Japan Foundation Gallery, taking visitors through Japan’s most popular characters that have triggered worldwide crazes from the 1950s to the present. Why do characters appear and become popular? What kind of social reality do they reflect? As interest in Japanese subculture, particularly anime and manga, become increasingly a topic of interest around the world, the Japan Foundation responds and examines the impact of characters on Japanese society. Featuring life-sized figures from HELLO KITTY, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM and more, the exhibition will be accompanied with panels, film and character-related products allowing a window into the obsessive phenomenon of Japan’s world of characters. Whether you are a dedicated fan, a curious visitor, or just in for a nostalgic journey, "Japan: Kingdom of Characters" will inform and delight. Japan: Kingdom of Characters 8 April – 28 May Japan Foundation Gallery Level 1, Chifley Plaza, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney Gallery hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm, Wednesdays until 8:30pm Saturdays 16 & 30 April, 14 & 28 May, 11am – 4pm Public Programs: Wednesdays during exhibition season from 6:30pm Free admission Every Wednesday night during the exhibition season, there will be free anime screenings and lecture series exploring the background and popularity of anime/manga and characters in Japan and abroad. 13 April: Lecture- Understanding Anime and Manga Character Design of the Magic Kingdom Speaker- Dr Michael Hill (aka Doctor Comics) 20 April: Anime film screening- THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS (PG) 27 Apeil: Lecture- From Empire of Signs to Kingdom of Characters: from Kanji to Kyara Speaker- Dr Emiko Okayama 4 May: Anime film screening- JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE (MA) 11 May: Anime film screening: WINGS OF HONNEAMISE (M) 18 May: Lecture- Manga: Empathetic Media Expressing the Pain of the Individual Speaker- Dr Mio Bryce 25 May: Lecture- Cult Media Pilgrimages to Japan’s Kingdom of Characters Speaker- Dr Craig Norris
About The Japan Foundation
The Japan Foundation aims to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and other nations through a diverse range of programs and events. It was established in 1972 with a global network of 23 offices in 21 countries. The Australian office was founded in 1977. The Japan Foundation, Sydney runs a gallery space, library and Japanese language courses for all levels catering from beginner to advanced.
