Set against the vibrant, dangerous backdrop of 1980s Shinjuku, Tsukasa Hojo’s manga City Hunter defined urban cool for an entire generation of readers. Seamlessly blending hard-boiled action, comedy and emotional depth, the series ran from 1985 to 1991, driven by the chaotic but intimate bond between ‘sweeper’ Ryo Saeba and his partner Kaori Makimura.
City Hunter elevated Tsukasa Hojo as one of Japan’s most influential and stylistically distinctive manga artists. Now, 40 years after its serialisation, the franchise boasts more than 50 million copies in circulation, countless adaptations, and a legacy that continues to define the genre.
Celebrating that four-decade history, the Ueno Royal Museum presents ‘Forever, City Hunter’ – the largest exhibition ever devoted to the franchise. Running from November 22 to December 28, the display is both a commemoration and a homecoming, an opportunity for long-time admirers and new fans alike to rediscover the pulse-pounding pace and iconic characters that made City Hunter a cultural milestone.
A monumental showcase of original art
At the heart of the exhibition are more than 400 original drawings – the most extensive display of Hojo’s hand-drawn work ever assembled. These reveal the precision and expressive power of his linework: the sharp contrasts of night-time shootouts, the swirling motion of chases across neon-lit Tokyo, and the subtle softness in Kaori’s expressions as her relationship with Ryo evolves. Seeing the pages up close, complete with pencil marks, erasures and touch-ups, offers new insight into Hojo’s meticulous process.
The exhibition is divided into seven chapters, allowing visitors to follow Ryo and Kaori’s emotional and professional journey from their fateful first encounter to the many trials and triumphs that cement their partnership. Each chapter highlights iconic moments, such as the tragic death of Kaori’s brother Hideyuki, Ryo’s explosive confrontations with underworld syndicates, and the delicate balance between humour and heartbreak that defines the series.
Stepping into the world of City Hunter
Beyond the artwork, ‘Forever, City Hunter’ shines through its immersive exhibition design. Visitors enter through a re-creation of Shinjuku’s East Exit, complete with the legendary message board where clients would scratch the cryptic letters ‘XYZ’ to signal that they had reached their final resort. Here, fans can leave their own XYZ message and step directly into the narrative’s world.
Other interactive installations include Ryo’s underground shooting range, where visitors can pose beside the legendary crime fighter in a dramatic photo spot, Café Cat’s Eye, lovingly recreated and featuring a life-size Ryo Saeba at the counter, as well as photo zones inspired by memorable scenes. These environments elevate the exhibition from a traditional art show to an experiential tribute, where you get to inhabit the spaces that defined the manga’s universe.
A story of bonds, loss and unbreakable partnership
‘Forever, City Hunter’ isn’t shy about exploring the emotional dimension that made the series so enduring. Through carefully selected pages, the exhibition brings viewers through the turning points of Ryo and Kaori’s relationship: their early friction, Kaori’s training and transformation into a true partner, and the delicate intimacy that emerges beneath their comedic clashes.
Supporting characters, ranging from the stoic rival-turned-ally Falcon (Umibozu) to the formidable detective Saeko, receive attention as well, underscoring how Hojo’s world was built on both action and richly developed interpersonal dynamics.
A tribute to a legacy
Part of what makes City Hunter timeless is its ability to mix levity with genuine pathos – there’s slapstick humour in one breath, a meditation on justice, trauma or loyalty in the next. The exhibition embraces this duality, presenting episodes that highlight Ryo’s compassion beneath his playful bravado, Kaori’s resilience, and the ethical complexities of life in the shadows.
Rare production materials, unpublished drawings and early concept sketches offer in-depth understanding of how the characters evolved. Particularly striking are early designs that reveal Hojo refining costume textures and experimenting with light and shadow to heighten atmosphere.
A must-see for manga lovers
‘Forever, City Hunter’ also recognises the community that has sustained the franchise for decades. Highlighting everything from the successful crowdfunding campaign to bring a life-size Ryo to Café Cat’s Eye, to the ongoing popularity of new adaptations and international editions, the exhibition is infused with the passion of a fanbase that spans generations.
For those who grew up with the manga, the exhibition offers a powerful wave of nostalgia. For new readers, it provides the perfect gateway into a masterpiece that shaped the trajectory of action manga. And for anyone interested in the craft of comic storytelling, Hojo’s original pages stand as extraordinary examples of narrative clarity, emotional precision and visual dynamism.
‘Forever, City Hunter’ is on show at the Ueno Royal Museum until December 28.
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