Japan Earthquakes Destroy Go Nagai Wonderland Manga Museum, Heartbreaking Photos Go Viral

On January 1, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck 7 km north-northwest of Suzu, located on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It was followed by a tragically high number of casualties and property damage. However, one of the properties with significance related to the Japanese Manga culture and entertainment has been grabbing headlines. Manga are comics or graphic novels that originated in Japan. Most manga conforms to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history rooted in earlier Japanese art as well as contemporary pop culture.

The tragedy was in the news on January 2, 2024, after Hokkoku Shimbun news reported the destruction of the Go Nagai Wonderland Museum, dedicated to the renowned Devilman Mangaka, due to a fire believed to be caused by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on the New Year’s Day. Devilman Mangaka is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai.

Photos from the Asahi Shimbun News have captured the current state of Wajima City’s Go Nagai Wonderland Museum. Visiting the location on January 2, Kobayashi documented the devastating aftermath of the fire that followed the earthquake.

Take a look here:

The museum, dedicated to the creator of Mazinger Z and Devilman, holds significance in the manga industry as Go Nagai is credited with pioneering the super robot genre. The latest photo of the museum reveals the extensive damage caused by the earthquake and subsequent fire, with the once-standing building now partially burnt and torn down.

Situated in Wajima, Nagai’s birthplace, the museum, established in 2009, featured original art from classic manga like Mazinger Z, Cutey Honey, Devilman, and Getter Robo. Unfortunately, it is presumed, though unconfirmed, that the valuable original art may have been lost in the fire that nearly obliterated the museum.

“In recent years, the museum had become a popular destination for anime fans, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually before the pandemic,” informed The Japan News.

As of now, the death toll has risen to 62 amid warnings of landslides and aftershocks, with ongoing rescue efforts in progress, as reported by The Guardian.

Dynamic Production, Go Nagai’s studio, expressed its top priority as ensuring the safety of Wajima City’s residents. Dynamic Production has reportedly assured to provide more information once the necessary details are confirmed.