JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters
In recent years, a subculture related to Japanese anime and manga has rapidly attracted worldwide attention. To make the most of this trend, the Japan Foundation presents JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters – a traveling exhibition which examines characters as one radical aspect of this subculture.

What exactly is a character? Why are they so popular? What kind of society do these characters reflect and what kind of influence do they exert on that society? And finally, where is Japanese character culture headed? In this exhibition, as the intimate relationship between characters and Japanese people is introduced, visitors will gain a better understanding of the cultural and historical background behind the Japanese love of characters as well as the future of characters in contemporary Japan.



Penang
Date:                            6 January 2012 – 4 February 2012  
Venue:                         Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah (MGTF),
                                      Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM),
                                      11800 Penang
Admission:                  Open to Public
 
Kuala Lumpur 
Date:                             20 February – 20 March 2012
Venue:                          Balai Seni Visual Negara,
                                      
2, Jalan Temerloh, Off Jalan Tun Razak,
                                       53200 Kuala Lumpur

Admission:                   Open to Public