Journey to Hosoda Mamoru’s Creative Roots: "Hosoda Mamoru: Origin/Exhibition" Opens June 20

Hosoda Mamoru fans, an unmissable event begins: "Hosoda Mamoru: Origin/Exhibition", which focuses on the first steps of the director’s creative journey, welcomes visitors on June 20, 2024 at CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO. The exhibition stands out for displaying for the first time the approximately 450-page storyboard (illustrated script) for the film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

The press preview held on June 19 and a special talk show with Mamoru Hosoda and actor Shota Someya have already raised the excitement for the exhibition to its peak. Hosoda spoke about his early inspirations and the founding story of Studio Chizu, while Someya shared his experiences working with the director. These insights are golden for those wanting to understand the foundations of the director’s current signature style.

The exhibition is not limited to Hosoda’s The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; rare sketches, character designs, and production materials from films such as Summer Wars, Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, Mirai, and Belle also await visitors. The spacious gallery area of CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO in Minato has been specially arranged to display this unique collection. The curators present Hosoda’s handwritten notes and early storyboards in a chronological order, aiming to let visitors take a journey into the director’s mind.

So why is this exhibition so important? Mamoru Hosoda is considered one of the most important figures in post-Ghibli Japanese anime cinema. His storytelling, which blends family, technology, and supernatural elements, has won millions of fans worldwide. This exhibition is a rare opportunity for fans to see firsthand the director’s early inspirations and how The Girl Who Leapt Through Time became an animation classic. Additionally, special workshops and guided tours will be held on some weekends during the exhibition.

The exhibition will be open for at least three months starting June 20. For detailed ticket information and event schedule, you can follow the official website of CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO. If you happen to be in Japan, this exhibition is a perfect opportunity to witness anime history. For Hosoda fans, it is an absolutely unmissable stop.