TokyoScope News: When Icons of Anime, Film, and Music Collide - Leiji Matsumoto, Takashi Shimura, and Mitsume
A round up of recent Japanese pop culture headlines edited by Patrick Macias
Anime Legend Leiji Matsumoto’s Legacy Celebrated in Tokyo With Galaxy Express 999 Exhibition
The exhibition "Galaxy Express 999 50th Anniversary Project: Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition – Journey of Creation" will be held from June 20 to September 7, 2025, at Tokyo City View on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. This major retrospective, the first since Matsumoto's passing, celebrates the legendary manga artist known for classics like "Galaxy Express 999" and "Space Pirate Captain Harlock." Over 300 items will be on display, including original drawings, never-before-seen materials, and personal artifacts. The exhibition is divided into three zones, beginning with an entrance area featuring a life-size recreation of the Galaxy Express 999 platform and train monument, welcoming visitors into Matsumoto's universe.
Zone 1 showcases Matsumoto's early works, such as "Insect World Exploration" from his teenage years, his initial foray into girls' manga after moving to Tokyo, and the original art for "Otoko Oidon," which emphasizes individuality. This section also includes his debut-era creative notebooks and original manga art for "Space Battleship Yamato," reflecting his childhood dream of working in animation. Zone 2 delves into the themes of space, women, and machinery that define Matsumoto's style, featuring original art from the first episode of "Galaxy Express 999," his personal drawing tools, reference books, and cherished items like his favorite hat. Zone 3, titled "Artist Leiji Matsumoto," presents color illustrations from signature works, inviting visitors into his vividly imagined worlds.
Hiroyuki MITSUME Takahashi Brings Visual Edge to AKAGIMI’s Latest Music Video
Japanese artist Hiroyuki-Mitsume Takahashi, whom I’ve collaborated with numerous times before, notably on HYPERSONIC Music Club, has provided illustrations for a new music video by AKAGIMI titled 死花 (Dead Flower).
AKAGIMI is a virtual girls rap unit (apparently, that’s a thing now) managed by VOLVE CREATIVE.
Japan Celebrates Godzilla and Seven Samurai Actor Takashi Shimura with Special Exhibition
A special exhibition honoring the life and career of legendary actor Takashi Shimura, known for his roles in Seven Samurai and Gojira (1954), is now on display in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture. Shimura, who appeared in over 400 films before and after World War II, would have turned 120 this year. The city of Nobeoka played a formative role in his youth, shaping the foundations of his acting career. The exhibit gathers a wide array of materials to revisit and celebrate his contributions to Japanese cinema.
Held at the Nobeoka Castle Naito Memorial Museum through June 15, the exhibition features posters, photographs, scripts, props, and essays by Shimura. It builds on a 2015 exhibit from Tokyo’s National Film Archive and includes local items from his time in Nobeoka. Admission is 500 yen for adults, with reduced prices for students and free entry for children. Related events include screenings of Seven Samurai, Ikiru, and Gojira, a May 25 talk by film experts, and a June 7 stage play titled The Man Entrusted with Light, which explores Shimura’s life and legacy.
TokyoScope Retro: Himitsu Sentai Goranger (1975)
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