In celebration of their extraordinary new exhibit Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form the Bowers Museum comes to The Frida Cinema to present a special screening of Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 masterpiece Princess Mononoke!

A landmark in animated cinema, blending fantasy, environmentalism, and mythology, the film follows Ashitaka, a young warrior cursed by a demon, who journeys to find a cure. He discovers a fierce conflict between the forest spirits, led by the enigmatic Princess Mononoke (voiced by Yuriko Ishida), and the humans who consume the forest’s resources, led by the ambitious Lady Eboshi. As Ashitaka becomes entangled in the battle, he strives to bring balance between the warring sides.

Princess Mononoke was a critical and commercial success, praised for its stunning animation, complex characters, and deep environmental message. It won several awards, including the Japanese Academy Award for Best Picture, and was the highest-grossing film in Japan until Titanic surpassed it. The film’s intricate storytelling and lush visuals have cemented it as a classic, celebrated for its powerful narrative and enduring impact on animation and environmental discourse.

About Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form

Never-before-seen at a museum and making its American debut, Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form presents the largest ever selection of original artworks from Asian comics, displayed alongside their printed, mass-produced forms. This exhibition is a vivid journey through the art of comics and visual storytelling across Asia. From its historical roots to the most recent digital innovations, the exhibition looks to popular Japanese manga and beyond, highlighting key creators, characters, and publications. Explore thriving contemporary comics cultures and traditional graphic narrative artforms from places including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam.

Visitors to Asian Comics will dive into a kaleidoscope of diverse stories, from fantastical folklore, pivotal historical moments, revealing memoirs, and challenging expressions of freedom. Discover acclaimed and influential creators from Osamu Tezuka, Zao Dao, Morel, Hur Young Man, and Lat, to genre innovators and under-represented artists including Abhishek Singh and Miki Yamamoto. See how their work has influenced cinema, animation, fashion, visual art, music, and videogames, and get creative in the accompanying makerspace that’s fun for all ages.

Curated by Paul Gravett with a team of more than twenty international advisors, Asian Comics features over 400 works — the largest selection of artworks from the continent — including Japanese woodblock prints, Hindu scroll paintings, digital media, printed comics, and contemporary illustrations. This unique exhibition makes its North American debut at Bowers Museum and offers a gateway to an unexplored world of graphic storytelling and its artistic value.