Dr. Darren Ashmore Joins Leiji Matsumoto Event Hosted by The Japan Foundation

iCLA’s Head of Performing Arts will be joining the panelist discussion with three other experts of anime and manga, on the first anniversary of Leiji Matsumoto’s passing.

Dr. Darren Ashmore joins The Japan Foundation New York's event on Leiji Matsumoto
Image Credit: The Japan Foundation New York

iCLA’s Dr. Darren Ashmore will be joining the event “Leiji Matsumoto: Manga and Anime Legend of Sci-Fi and Beyond” as a panelist discussing the Japanese manga and anime legend, Leiji Matsumoto, who passed away last year. Joining him will be three other experts on anime and manga: Deborah Shamoon, Tim Eldred, and Zack Davisson. The online event hosted by The Japan Foundation New York is Episode 19 of their JFNY Pop Culture series. The event is happening on Tuesday, March 26 at 8:00pm (EST). 

“Just over a year on from the passing of Japan’s most iconic science fiction mangaka, the Japan Foundation of New York and I will be hosting a round table discussion with scholars who have worked in ‘The Leijiverse’, exploring the philosophy and themes of Master Leiji’s narratives, artistic styles and career as a whole – from his days as a revolutionary force in girl’s comics to his redefinition of the space opera,” explains Dr. Darren Ashmore.

Leiji Matsumoto was known for his works in the science fiction and space opera genre, such as Galaxy Express 999, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and Space Battleship Yamato. These works have, in turn, inspired other popular sci-fi anime such as Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion. He had passed last year at age 85, after which tributes poured in from all over the world, including a tribute from Dr. Darren Ashmore, who has not only studied Matsumoto’s work extensively but is a longtime fan. Dr. Ashmore is the co-author of the first book in English exploring Leiji Matsumoto’s career and projects, titled Leiji Matsumoto: Essays on the Manga and Anime Legend.

For more information on the online event including registration, visit The Japan Foundation New York website.
The event is free for all participants.

Dr. Darren Ashmore’s Faculty Profile
“Leiji Matsumoto: Manga and Anime Legend of Sci-Fi and Beyond” The Japan Foundation New York