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 ofcharacters as well as the future of characters in contemporary Japan.

Penang