Paru Itagaki Original Art Exhibition: A Decade of Creative Excellence
Fans of the brilliant manga artist Paru Itagaki are in for a real treat. Her original art exhibition, titled Paru Itagaki Exhibition - From BEASTARS and SANDA to Taika's Reason, The World of Pal's Creation, is officially opening its doors tomorrow, March 7th, at Warehouse Terada G3 in Tokyo. Just today, on March 6th, a special preview event was held for some lucky folks to get a first look at what is inside. In this article, we are going to give you a full report on this amazing exhibition that celebrates 10 years of her incredible journey.
As soon as you reach the entrance of the Paru Itagaki Exhibition, you are greeted by a stunning main visual. It features all the major characters from her famous works, giving you a proper welcome into The World of Pal's Creation. It really feels like you are stepping right into the pages of her manga. For those who can't make it, you can view the visuals in high quality online to see the fine details she has put in.
Celebrating 10 Years: From BEAST COMPLEX to SANDA
It has been quite a ride for Itagaki since she first debuted in a commercial magazine with BEAST COMPLEX back in 2016. This March marks her 10th anniversary as a professional artist, and it’s a big milestone. This exhibition is truly massive, featuring over 200 original drawings that have been carefully picked from different publishers she has worked with. The first thing you see inside is a short movie introducing all the works on display. The characters and their iconic lines are projected just like frames in a movie, which looks really cool.
In the next section, you will find original drawings from BEASTARS, which was her very first long-running series. Right next to these beautiful paintings, there are some handwritten comments by Itagaki herself. She talks about the behind-the-scenes moments and her personal memories during the production of the manga. It’s very touching to read those little notes while looking at the art.
Immersive Displays and Interactive Spots
The exhibition isn't just about drawings on the wall. There are life-size panels of Legosi, Haru, and Louis that you can stand next to. They even have a sculpture of the Grim Reaper Adler’s mask and hat on display! One of the best parts is the diorama of the back market. It is a perfect photo spot where you can take pictures with stuffed animals and other props. There is even a graffiti corner inspired by the turf battle that happened on Love Meat Day. It is quite clear why BEASTARS is a must read and must watch when you see how much detail goes into this world.
Moving forward, the focus shifts to BEAST COMPLEX and SANDA. In the SANDA corner, they have built a diorama modeled after the Gaze Room. Daishibu calls it "the most powerful full-body exercise" because it uses mirrors so that around 500 people can see themselves at once. You can actually go in and experience it yourself! There is also a three-dimensional statue of Daishibu called the Daikoku Aigo Gakuen 50th Anniversary Statue. In the Taika's Reason section, you can check out the original draft of the first episode, which was originally titled Taika's Loyalty.
Collaborations and Personal Memories
The exhibition also features art from Bota Bota and various collaborative illustrations. Some of the highlights include:
- YOASOBI Collaboration: Illustrations of the goods used for the opening and ending themes of the anime's second season.
- Tobu Zoo Project: Special drawings made for the collaboration with the famous zoo.
- Personal Items: The actual chicken headgear that Itagaki wears whenever she appears in the media.
There is also a detailed chronology of her career, showing videos of how she created the exhibition visuals and episodes from her essay manga, Parno Graffiti. It gives a very personal look into her life as a creator.
The Paru Itagaki Exhibition will be open until March 29th. Before you leave, don't forget to visit the goods corner. They are selling some really cool stuff like acrylic blocks, T-shirts with key visuals, shoulder totes with Legosi's face, and even embroidered tin badges. It is definitely a must-visit for any fan of her work!
