Panels, Portals, and Power-Ups
MoPOP’s upcoming exhibit explores the evolution and impact of Asian comics
By Sarah Stackhouse March 4, 2025
It’s hard to overstate the impact Asian comic art has had around the world.
Manga, manhua, and other styles have shaped everything from movies to fashion trends. The stories go deep, the art is intricate, and no genre is off-limits. Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form is MoPOP’s newest exhibit and the biggest of its kind, showcasing more than 400 pieces of original comic art from Japan, China, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Afghanistan, and Vietnam. It explores the evolution of visual storytelling, from folklore-inspired woodblock prints to modern digital comics, and gets into themes like mythology, sci-fi, and censorship-defying political works.
The show runs March 8 through Jan. 4, 2026, with original art, hands-on interactives, and an exploration into how Asian artists have shaped the medium. But first, MoPOP is throwing an opening party on March 7, transforming the museum into the Forest of Lunarda, a fantasy world inspired by isekai — the anime and manga genre where characters are transported to other realms. Expect a mythical atmosphere with an Asian street food night market featuring local chefs, and Prometheus Brown and KEXP Eastern Echoes DJ Diana Ratsamee. There’s also an anime rave with DJs Sake Bomb and Aleksa Manila, and a cosplay contest with prizes for the best looks, so you can bet the halls will be packed with spirits, warriors, sailors, cowboys, and who knows what else.
Tickets for the opening party are on sale now.
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