Classic shoujo manga are back in the spotlight in 2026, as legendary artists from the Showa and Heisei eras draw renewed attention through new anime and live-action adaptations, anniversary projects, and original art exhibitions.
The momentum includes TV anime for Hikawa Kyouko’s Kanata Kara and Shinohara Chie’s Ten wa Akai Kawa no Hotori, plus a live-action drama adaptation of Hiwatari Saki’s Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte. Shoujo manga magazine anniversaries and artist career retrospectives are also being held one after another.
For longtime readers, these projects offer a nostalgic reunion; for younger fans, they are a chance to open the door to celebrated works. Here is a look at the 2026 exhibitions and the events still ahead.
Masterpieces Return Through Anime and Live-Action
In 2026, long-read shoujo manga classics are being adapted for the screen.
Hikawa Kyouko’s fantasy manga Kanata Kara is getting a TV anime to mark the 35th anniversary of its serialization. The story follows Noriko, a high school student sent to another world, and Izark, a young man with a mystery.
Shinohara Chie’s Ten wa Akai Kawa no Hotori is also set for a summer TV anime. Set in the ancient Hittite Empire, the historical fantasy follows Yuri, a girl summoned from modern Japan, as she survives in a turbulent era. Since its serialization began in 1995, the sweeping work has captivated many readers, and this will be its first TV anime.
Hiwatari Saki’s Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte has announced a live-action drama. Hirose Alice stars and plays Mokuren, the past-life incarnation of protagonist Sakaguchi Arisu and a special being called a Kiche=Sajarian who can communicate with plants and animals.
Serialized in Hana to Yume from 1986, Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte is a landmark SF shoujo manga centered on seven men and women with memories of past lives, with a moon base, aliens, psychic powers, and an interplanetary war. After the 21-volume main story, the narrative continued in Boku wo Tsutsumu Tsuki no Hikari and the currently running Boku wa Chikyuu to Utau.
With anime and live-action adaptations each using a different visual language, these classics are returning, and the moment is a good chance to revisit the original manga.
2026 Brings a Wave of Shoujo Manga Exhibitions
Screen adaptations are not the only sign of renewed interest. In 2026, exhibitions tracing the history of shoujo manga through original art have also been held in succession.
LaLa 50th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition: Miwaku no Creation
An original art exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of shoujo manga magazine LaLa ran from July 17 to August 3 at Shinjuku Takashimaya in Tokyo.
The venue gathered more than 200 items, including original drawings by a total of 76 artists. For fans, it was a special project offering a sweeping view of works that have colored the magazine over many years.
Tanemura Arina 30th Anniversary Exhibition: Kirameku Shoujo-tachi no Yume Monogatari
An exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of Tanemura Arina’s career was also held. Tanemura is known for works including Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne and Full Moon wo Sagashite.
After Tokyo, the exhibition traveled to Osaka and Kyoto. Through original art, visitors could experience the world unique to Tanemura’s work: gorgeous costumes, sparkling eyes, and delicate ornamentation.
Minase Ai & Kumagai Anko 20th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition: Minakuma-ten
The joint original art exhibition Minakuma-ten by Minase Ai and Kumagai Anko ran from January 9 to February 1 at Yurakucho Marui in Tokyo.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of two artists who have also been active at the forefront of shoujo manga, the project delighted many fans.
Ouke no Monshou 50th Serialization Anniversary Original Art Exhibition
Ouke no Monshou by Hosokawa Chieko ando Fuumin began serialization in 1976. The grand historical romance is set in ancient Egypt and follows Carol, a girl who travels beyond time from the modern era, and Memphis, a young king.
Marking the 50th anniversary of its serialization, the original art exhibition displayed about 90 items, from beautiful color originals to manga manuscripts of famous scenes. It also featured screenings of video works and displays of cel art, allowing visitors to experience the long-beloved world of the series from multiple angles.
The Tokyo and Osaka venues have closed, but the exhibition is scheduled to open in Fukuoka in January 2027.
Exhibitions Still Open or Coming Soon
These are the exhibitions currently running or scheduled ahead. The lineup should appeal both to those who want to revisit beloved works and to those looking to discover classics for the first time.
Kiyohara Natsuno & Matsunae Akemi Two-Person Exhibition
An exhibition by Kiyohara Natsuno and Matsunae Akemi is running from October 2 to 26 at Libest Gallery Sou in Kichijoji, Tokyo. Admission is free.
The two artists have captivated many readers with their distinctive viewpoints and rich expressive power. The exhibition offers a chance to encounter their different artistic identities through original art and other materials.
Tanigawa Fumiko Shueisha 40th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition
Tanigawa Fumiko is known for works such as Kakueki Teisha, Kimochi Mangetsu, Kimi no Koto Suki Nanda, and Hajimete no Hito. She is an artist who has depicted delicate emotional shifts and the sparkle of romance in everyday life.
An original art exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of her career at Shueisha is running from October 21 to November 4 at POP Culture Style IKEBUKURO in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Admission is 1,000 yen (tax included). Along with monochrome and color original drawings, the venue includes a ‘Kokuhaku no Shunkan’ (Moment of Confession) corner focusing on the romantic expression that is one of the attractions of Tanigawa’s work.
Shoujo Manga Infinity: Hagio Moto × Yamagishi Ryouko × Yamato Waki Three-Person Exhibition
A large exhibition will run from October 28 to February 8, 2027, at the National Art Center, Tokyo, in Roppongi. It is set for Special Exhibition Room 2E.
It focuses on Hagio Moto, Yamagishi Ryouko, and Yamato Waki, three figures indispensable to any discussion of Japanese shoujo manga history.
The exhibition will display original art and materials from works including Poe no Ichizoku and Toma no Shinzou; Hiizuru Tokoro no Tenshi and Arabesque; and Haikara-san ga Tooru and Asaki Yumemishi. More than 800 monochrome and color items are planned.
Admission is 2,200 yen at the door and 2,000 yen in advance for general visitors; 1,000 yen at the door and 800 yen in advance for university students; and 500 yen at the door and 300 yen in advance for high school students.
Ichijo Yukari: Yukan Club Exhibition
An exhibition for Ichijo Yukari’s representative work Yukan Club will run from December 19 to January 11, 2027, at SPACE1 on the 8th floor of Yurakucho Marui in Tokyo. A Kyoto venue is also planned from February 12 to March 15, 2027.
The glamorous, exhilarating story follows distinctive high school students including Kenbishi Yuri and Kikumasamune Seishirou, and it remains strongly popular today. Through original art, visitors can immerse themselves in the gorgeous, stylish world of Yukan Club.
Ouke no Monshou 50th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition: Fukuoka Venue
Following Tokyo and Osaka, the Ouke no Monshou original art exhibition is scheduled for Fukuoka in January 2027.
The Fukuoka venue will run from January 16 to January 31, 2027, at the 7th-floor event space of Hakata Marui. Opening hours are 10:00 to 19:00, with last admission at 18:30. Admission is 2,200 yen (tax included). The display will include about 90 items, including color originals and manga manuscripts of famous scenes by Hosokawa Chieko ando Fuumin. A catalog for the exhibition is priced at 5,000 yen (tax included).
Through beautiful color originals, manga manuscripts of famous scenes, video works, and more, visitors can experience the ancient Egyptian world inhabited by Carol and Memphis. For longtime fans and first-time readers alike, it should be a chance to encounter the scale and appeal of the work.
Reunions With Classics Can Lead to New Discoveries
Anime, live-action adaptations, anniversary projects, original art exhibitions: 2026 is an ideal year to meet shoujo manga classics again.
Rereading a manga you loved as a child may reveal different characters’ emotions or new depth in the story. At an original art exhibition, you may be struck by the beauty of lines, the delicacy of coloring, and the carefully drawn accessories and costumes that were easy to overlook in print.
Whether you are reuniting with a nostalgic work or opening its pages for the first time, this is a chance to step through the door into stories created by legendary artists.
2026 Shoujo Manga Exhibition Guide
| Exhibition | Dates | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minase Ai & Kumagai Anko 20th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition: Minakuma-ten | January 9-February 1, 2026 | Yurakucho Marui, Tokyo | Ended |
| Tanemura Arina 30th Anniversary Exhibition: Kirameku Shoujo-tachi no Yume Monogatari | Tokyo: April 17-May 18, 2026; Osaka: June 19-July 20, 2026; Kyoto: August 21-September 21, 2026 | Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto | Ended |
| LaLa 50th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition: Miwaku no Creation | July 17-August 3, 2026 | Shinjuku Takashimaya, Tokyo | 76 artists; more than 200 items |
| Ouke no Monshou 50th Serialization Anniversary Original Art Exhibition | Tokyo: August 28-September 13, 2026; Osaka: October 9-25, 2026 | Tokyo and Osaka | About 90 items; color originals, famous-scene manuscripts, video screenings, cel displays |
| Kiyohara Natsuno & Matsunae Akemi Two-Person Exhibition | October 2-26, 2026 | Libest Gallery Sou, Kichijoji, Tokyo | Free admission |
| Tanigawa Fumiko Shueisha 40th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition | October 21-November 4, 2026 | POP Culture Style IKEBUKURO, Ikebukuro, Tokyo | 1,000 yen (tax included); monochrome and color originals; Kokuhaku no Shunkan corner |
| Shoujo Manga Infinity: Hagio Moto × Yamagishi Ryouko × Yamato Waki Three-Person Exhibition | October 28, 2026-February 8, 2027 | National Art Center, Tokyo, Special Exhibition Room 2E, Roppongi | General 2,200 yen day/2,000 yen advance; university 1,000/800 yen; high school 500/300 yen; more than 800 items |
| Ichijo Yukari: Yukan Club Exhibition | Tokyo: December 19, 2026-January 11, 2027; Kyoto: February 12-March 15, 2027 | Yurakucho Marui 8F SPACE1, Tokyo; Kyoto | Original art exhibition |
| Ouke no Monshou 50th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition: Fukuoka Venue | January 16-31, 2027 | Hakata Marui 7F Event Space | 10:00-19:00, last admission 18:30; 2,200 yen (tax included); about 90 items; catalog 5,000 yen (tax included) |
Dates, venues, display contents, and prices are subject to change. Check each exhibition’s official website for the latest information before visiting.
