The influence of Japanese cartoon culture on Vietnamese youngsters cannot be underestimated. From the cutesiness of Hello Kitty and Pokemon to the more bizarre inflections of manga and anime, animation from Japan has been embraced by everyone from innocent schoolgirls and boys to rebellious teens expressing themselves through weird and wonderful fashion statements and haircuts.

Taking into account the tremendous affinity many Vietnamese youngsters have with Japanese cartoons and comics, it has been no surprise that an exhibition devoted to the genre in Ho Chi Minh City has proven a huge hit since opening last week.The exhibition – named JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters’ – is being held at the Ho Chi Minh City Exhibition House until December 4th and is possibly the first comprehensive study of Japanese cartoon and comic culture to be held in this country.

For those of an intellectual bent, the exhibition attempts to tackle existential issues such as what kind of society to the characters reflect and what kind of influence to they have on that society?  

It is a reasonable bet, however, that the majority of those attending the exhibition will be more enamoured with the line up of popular characters on show rather than their sociological implications. Big names such as Doraemon, Mobile Suit Gundam, Non Genesis Evangelion, Pokemon, Sentokun and Namisuke are all represented through standing figures, panels and DVD’s.

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