From trash to treasure: How anime became a museum staple

In the anime industry’s early days, production materials were considered disposable and diehards would raid the garbage bins of studios for potential treasure.

Now those materials are considered art. In 2025, the number — and range — of exhibitions devoted to anime, manga, video games and other Japanese pop culture ephemera has surged.

This month alone, Tokyoites can visit shows celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Neon Genesis Evangelion”; Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, the pioneering “Mobile Suit Gundam” character designer and animation director; the hit 1980s manga “City Hunter”; the work of lauded animator Takeshi Honda; and the video games of publisher Capcom, which include “Street Fighter” and “Resident Evil.”