The Art of the Narrative. The Soul of Japan. Kansai Gaidai University Presents Manga Art Institute (MAI) Summer Program 2026
- OIA
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Study manga in Japan for four focused weeks.
📍 Kansai Gaidai University, Osaka
🗓 June 23 – July 18, 2026
A focused creative experience
Kansai Gaidai University invites students to explore manga as a form of visual storytelling rooted in Japanese culture and creative practice.
The Manga Art Institute (MAI) is a four-week intensive summer program designed for students interested in understanding how manga is constructed, developed, and presented as original work. This program goes beyond reading manga. It emphasizes the creative process behind narrative structure, character design, and visual expression.
Learning in cultural context
Classes take place in Hirakata, Osaka, located between Kyoto, Japan’s historical capital, and Osaka, its modern cultural center. This setting reflects the balance of tradition and contemporary life that defines manga itself.
Participants stay at Global Commons YUI, Kansai Gaidai University’s international residence, offering a comfortable and connected learning environment throughout the program.
Program structure
The curriculum follows a studio-based approach guided by Kansai Gaidai faculty members and professional manga artists.
Week 1 — The Structure Story logic, panel flow, pacing, and the foundations of 4-koma storytelling.
Week 2 — The Character Life drawing, character development, and concept design.
Week 3 — The Studio Manga production workflow and tools, including inking, pen work, screentones, lettering, and typography.
Week 4 — The Presentation Completion of an original work and presentation in a convention-style showcase.
Each participant completes a short manga or illustrated project suitable for a personal portfolio.
Beyond the studio
Learning extends beyond the classroom through scheduled fieldwork in Kyoto and Osaka. Visits to museums, cultural institutions, and historic districts provide additional context for Japanese visual storytelling and creative traditions.
Students learn by observing, practicing, and creating within Japan’s cultural environment.
Program essentials
Dates: June 23 – July 18, 2026
Location: Kansai Gaidai University, Hirakata, Osaka
Eligibility: Open to AU undergraduate and graduate students
Level: Beginner to emerging creators
Capacity: 30 participants
Program fee
JPY 600,000
The fee includes tuition, accommodation at Global Commons YUI, scheduled fieldwork, professional art tools, and Wi-Fi access.
Airfare, meals, local transportation, personal expenses, and travel insurance are not included.
How to apply
Students interested in the Manga Art Institute (MAI) should apply through the AU Office of International Affairs (OIA).
👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/ofbfctamcyENCXUY6
Application Period January 22 – March 10, 2026
📩 Office of International Affairs (OIA) ✉️ Email: oia@au.edu
Comments