Shonen Jump Exhibition Is A Must-See For Manga and Anime Fans

Many manga and anime fans probably know that Weekly Shonen Jump has consistently published manga series that have become mega-hits with fans around the world. Captain Tsubasa, Fist of the North Star, Dragon Ball and City Hunter mostly in the 1980s, Slam Dunk, Yu-Gi-Oh, Yu Yu Hakusho, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure mostly in 1990s, and then Death Note, The Prince of Tennis, Bleach, Naruto, One Piece and recent favorites like Assassination Classroom and My Hero Academia in the 21st century. While the earlier works of the 80s and 90s are still popular (some due to ongoing or recent adaptations to anime), fans of the more recent properties such as Naruto and One Piece are legion.

"50th Anniversary Commemoration Weekly Shonen Jump Exhibition VOL. 3: The 2000s - The ever-evolving ultimate magazine"

That's why the third and final volume of the Weekly Shonen Jump Exhbition at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills, featuring works from 2000s to the present day, is one of our most highly recommended activities for manga and anime fans visiting Tokyo between now and September 30. After you enjoy the spacious and comprehensive exhibit, you can buy a variety of themed goods at the gift shop and have lunch or an afternoon snack at the Shonen Jump Cafe featuring themed foods, desserts and drinks.

We visited Mori Arts Center last month to see it all and give you a sample to whet your appetite.

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Exhibition Space

The first room you enter has a large screen in the shape of an opened Shonen Jump magazine. A movie called "Dive to Jump!!" gives you a preview of the works featured in the exhibition and the Jump Comics Wall displays covers (215 in total) of the magazine issues carrying their first chapters.

One Piece

In a special exhibit space called "ONE PIECE Kaleidoscope," panels representing the pages of ONE PIECE are artistically arranged in a display which changes color and is thematically organized according to the nine crew members of the Straw Hat Pirates.

You can also enjoy One Piece original illustrations and panels from famous scenes in the One Piece Gallery.

Kochikame

Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo (literally "This is the Police Station in Front of Kameari Park in Katsushika Ward"), or Kochikame, as it is commonly abbreviated, was published from 1976 to 2016 and has 200 volumes, earning a Guinness Record for most volumes published by a single manga series (although it was surpassed by the baseball manga Dokaben, which concluded after 205 volumes in issue June 2018).

As a fitting tribute to its longevity, a colorful white and red display likened to a Japanese festival, complete with hanging paper lanterns, celebrates Kochikame being featured in all three volumes of the Weekly Shonen Jump Exhibition.

Assassination Classroom

A faithful reproduction of class 3-E of Kunugigaoka Junior High School contains panels from the manga, complete with a cutout of Koro-Sensei with a projection-mapped face which changes expression. As a bonus sure to please fans of the series, the chalk illustration on the blackboard is hand-drawn by author Yusei Matsui.

Kuroko's Basketball

One of the two exhibition rooms for Kuroko's Basketball, this room introduces Kuroko, Kagami, and the Generation of Miracles through panels and a video presentation centered around the Winter Cup story arc.

Death Note

One of the most intense mind games in Jump's history plays out in panels from Death Note. A reproduction of the infamous note itself lies on a table. Without giving too much away, let's just say you'll get a surprise "visit" if you touch it.

Toriko

Fans of the unique culinary quest manga Toriko will be enthralled to see the Four Heavenly Kings and Komatsu at a table reproducing Toriko's Full Course Menu, with each dish set out for you to see. The mirror background allows you to join in and imagine you're also attending the feast with them.

Haikyu!!

Framed illustrations and panels of famous scenes from the manga on either wall of the room flank a wall-wide illustration showing the team members of the Karasuno High School Volleyball Team and their rivals "in mid-flight" as they aim for greater volleyball heights.

Bleach

This densely packed room is a shrine for Bleach fans. Ichigo, the captains of the 13 Court Squads, Aizen, Gin and the Arrancars are all featured, while in the center, a video called "BLEACH Blazing Blades" shows off each character's Shikai in a stylish manner.

Naruto

The story unfolds following the ninja scroll motif across three rooms (one for Boruto), with illustrations and panels highlighting the adventures of Naruto and all the other characters fans have come to love.

My Hero Academia

The recently popular My Hero Academia is given a dynamic, American comic style treatment in this room, with boxed panels focused on each of the major heroes with their hero names and main attack names against a backdrop of an action scene from the manga.

For example, here's Ochaco Uraraka in her hero persona as Uravity.

SEE YOU NEXT JUMP!!

At the end of the exhibit, a giant Weekly Shonen Jump logo on the wall greets you on your way out. But don't just stroll on by. Stop for a moment and take a closer look. The logo is brimming with illustrations and signatures hand-written by the creators for this exhibition.

Gift Shop

Everything from T-shirts, plush toys, mugs, cups, key chains, illustrated folders, posters and even specially themed cookies and sweets are available for purchase at the spacious gift shop.

JUMP 50th anniversary cafe

After you've had your fill of the amazing exhibit, you can extend your enjoyment with the JUMP 50th anniversary cafe. Not only is each menu item eminently Insta-worthy, you also get a special commemorative card to take home with you too.

Each tabletop is decorated with panels from the works featured in the exhibition.

Here's only a small sample from their exciting themed menu. (Note: Menu English translations are all ours and not official):

Ryuk's Favorite Apple Burger (w/ chicken stock-flavored chips)

The edible wafer panel on the plate shows Ryuk saying: "I want lots of apples..."

Luffy's Hearty Eating Meat Lovers Plate (w/ turkey leg)

U.A. High School Hero Department Dessert Plate

"Gon's Everything" Parfait

The Promised Neverland Soda

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Exhibition Details

• Official Exhibition Name: 50th Anniversary Commemoration Weekly Shonen Jump Exhibition VOL. 3: The 2000s - The ever-evolving ultimate magazine
• Dates: July 17th to September 30th, 2018
• Hours: Every day, 10:00-20:00 (10:00-21:00 only from August 11-19)
• Price: Adult/College: 2,000 JPY, Junior/Senior H.S.: 1,500 JPY, Age 4 to Primary: 800 JPY (Under 4: Free)
• Place: Mori Arts Center Gallery (Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52nd Floor)
• Access: Roppongi Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Oedo Line)
• Online: For more details and how to buy tickets, visit their official English website here.