---

Young artists use anime
as exhibit’s base

Welcome to the first edition of "Cel Shaded," a weekly dose of anime and manga news and commentary.

Those of you who have read my "Drawn & Quartered" columns know that I've reviewed anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comic books) for the past few years, along with fellow enthusiast Wilma Jandoc. Wilma pioneered anime and manga coverage in "D&Q," and she'll be a regular contributor to this column as well.

Let's get to it ...

From Scott Yoshinaga, formerly of MangaBento, comes word of an anime- and manga-inspired art exhibit on display at Borders Ward Centre. The exhibit spotlights the work of a collective of young local artists calling themselves Monkey-AME.

A pair of Punahou students, senior Jaymee Masui and junior Leslie Ann Kam, are exhibit co-chairs. (Full disclosure: This columnist bought two original pieces by Leslie at Kawaii Kon in April. They're quite lovely.)

Also featured are works by Honolulu Community College freshman Ashley Nose; University Lab senior Rachael Ing; Roosevelt seniors Janice Shinoyama and Betty Lam; Kalani junior Jaemi Yoshioka; University of Hawai'i at Manoa junior Michael Bromer; and Audra Furuichi, a former cartoonist with UHM's daily newspaper, Ka Leo.

"This is the first time I'm showing my artwork in public, and I admit, I'm nervous," Ing said. "I hope people will recognize our group's display, and anime-style art overall, as a respected art form, not merely dismiss it as cartoonish and therefore childish. It may be a different style than many are used to seeing in art galleries, but it's art nonetheless."

The show runs through June 30 in the store's stairwell gallery. A meet-and-greet with the artists is scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. June 25. For more on some of the artists, visit www.monkey-ame.com.