heckit's blog: 2026

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Friday, February 6, 2026

Thursday, February 5, 2026

star

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Monday, February 2, 2026

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Boom

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Friday, January 30, 2026

Thursday, January 29, 2026

I have to admit that my general understanding of manga is that it is Japanese comics and graphic novels for young people. But a small blurb on a radio show brought the exhibit Art of Manga at the de Young to my attention. Manga has become a global phenomena and the exhibit was one of art, design and creative narrative. Various mangakas were highlighted. The show demonstrated the superb draftsmanship and the breath of textures and moods depicted with the simple tools of pen and ink. Manga’s narrative storyboarding of action, close-ups and zoom-outs and of allowing the readers’ imagination to fill the gaps between panels demonstrate the various themes of human interest: friendship, loneliness, sexuality, relationship, and the human condition.

Taniguchi Jiro

Taniguchi Jiro (1947-2017) was a prolific mangaka known for bridging Japanese and European graphic traditions. Note his quiet, understated imagery that underlies deep human emotions or his refined used of screentone to depict leafy shadows on lying figures.

Taniguchi Jiro

Self portrait Taniguchi Jiro

Yamazaki Mari

Araki Hirohiko

Yamashita Kazumi

Tagame Gengoroh (b. 1964) is known for introducing gay male desire and stablishing a visual language for queer representation in Japan. Born in Kamakura, he began publishing in the 1980s and was key in expanding queer presence in Japan. His illustrations are noted for strong composition, vivid color and technical control. He often works in digital drawing.