Vibrant Crowd Celebrates de Young’s Art of Manga Opening

The de Young museum unveiled its bold Art of Manga exhibition on September 25, as over 500 dignitaries, donors and artists gathered for a ceremonial ribbon cutting by world-renowned manga artists Yamazaki Mari and Araki Hirohiko alongside Ishihara Takeshi, Deputy Consul General of Japan in San Francisco. Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) Director and CEO Thomas P. Campbell and exhibition curator Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere welcomed distinguished guests including “One Piece Only” curator Okamato “Kinpachi” Masashi, Dai Nippon Printing Co. Managing Director Nobuyuki Asaba, and Shueisha’s Chairman Hirono and Sugihara Mami for an evening that celebrated manga’s vibrant world of art, imagination and storytelling.

Chef David Yoshimura of Nisei partnered with McCalls Catering to create a specially curated menu complemented by Simply Mochi desserts, while Love Talkin’ Sounds DJs set the atmosphere with Japanese City Pop, J-Jazz and soul vinyl selections. The lucky guests enjoyed an evening featuring wines from the Asian American Wine Association alongside sake from Chiyomusubi Sake Brewery and local purveyor Sequoia Sake. Museum trustees including Diane B. Wilsey, Jack Calhoun, David Wadhwani, Carl Pascarella, Karesha McGee and Lynn Poole celebrated the opening ahead of Saturday’s public debut featuring the museum’s first cosplay day, demonstrating the Fine Arts Museums’ commitment to connecting visitors with global art through inclusive and accessible programming.