You might visit a museum and come home still wondering, “Why is this considered good?” or “What kind of value does this have?” – left with that lingering feeling of not really getting art.
One day, an artwork that seems impossible to understand is priced in the tens of millions; the next, you stumble upon a quiet, breathtaking piece in a tiny gallery tucked away on a city street – free to enter, open to all. Sometimes, what’s called “art” isn’t an object at all, but a project, an idea, something that stretches far beyond the frame. These moments remind us: behind every artwork lie layers of history and theory. The world of art isn’t always something we can grasp with feeling alone. Often, it resists easy understanding—and without a key, we may find ourselves locked out. So in this series, each week we’ll open the door a little wider, introducing books that offer new ways into the world of art.
It’s the middle of Japan’s rainy season—a time when colds are easy to catch and heading outside just doesn’t appeal. So why not curl up with a good read at home? This time, we’re featuring manga that dive into the world of art. From behind-the-scenes glimpses of the industry to the emotional struggles artists face, these stories are sure to ignite your creative spirit.
◯Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi (Kodansha)
The protagonist, Yatora Yaguchi, is a high school student facing a rite of passage familiar to every Japanese teenager: university entrance exams. But what if that exam is for a top art school? Blue Period offers a gripping and detailed look at the intense world of art school admissions—the emotional highs, the crushing self-doubt, and the physical demands of making art. It’s a surprising mix of fine art and the grit and determination of classic sports manga, capturing the fierce dedication of students who throw themselves into the beautiful but unforgiving world of art. Written by Tsubasa Yamaguchi, a graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts, the series overflows with conviction, passion, and the raw sensitivity of those who truly believe in art.
◯Tokyo Higoro by Taiyo Matsumoto (Shogakukan)
In France, manga is recognized as the “ninth art,” following music, literature (especially poetry), theater, cinema, and media arts. In Japan as well, the Japan Art Academy—an official body under the Agency for Cultural Affairs—has formally recognized manga as a new field of artistic expression. Few today would challenge its rightful place among the arts. Tokyo Higoro is a remarkable work that cuts to the very core of this world. Created by Taiyo Matsumoto—renowned for Tekkonkinkreet and Ping Pong—this story follows Shiozawa, a manga editor who takes early retirement from a major publishing house. He sets out to create his ideal manga magazine, traveling to visit the artists he believes in and inviting them to contribute. That’s all the story is on the surface. And yet, what emerges is a quiet, profound meditation on work, creativity, and friendship—a beautiful “philosophy of making” that transcends the page. This isn’t just a manga. It’s a work of art that embodies the very aesthetics of drawing itself.
