Making Manga and Ukiyo-e Respectable: A Personal Commentary on the Developments of Recently Established Scholarly Disciplines.

The article discusses the evolution of Manga Studies as a scholarly discipline, highlighting its development alongside Ukiyo-e Studies. It reflects on the historical context of manga from the 1950s to the 1990s, noting the initial lack of recognition for manga as a legitimate subject within Art History and the gradual establishment of academic frameworks, including university departments and publications. Key milestones in the maturation of Manga Studies are identified, such as significant exhibitions, influential publications, and the formation of scholarly societies, which collectively contributed to the discipline's respectability and academic legitimacy. The article concludes by observing the contemporary landscape of manga, emphasizing its diversification and the emergence of themes that address social issues and marginalized communities. [Extracted from the article]