A FLAVOUR of Japan is heading the Brewery way.

Running at the Kendal arts centre from October 2, comic art fans can see the UK’s first ever exhibition of Japanese manga aimed at teenage girls.

As part of the much awaited Lakes International Comic Art Festival (October 16-18), but on show until November 1, the exhibition of Shojo Manga introduces the world of Japanese Shojo (girls') manga through elaborate replica Genga (Dash) prints developed jointly by Kyoto Seika University's International Manga Research Centre and the manga artist Keiko Takemiya, principal of Kyoto Seika University.

Genga prints are copies of original artworks that have been faithfully reproduced aiming to conserve original manga artwork which is easily damaged and worn.

Japan's shojo manga culture dates back to the post-war years but only evolved into its broad-ranging and hugely-popular form of today as a result of the innovative work of a small group of artists in the 1970s. The Brewery exhibition features the work of three of those artists - Akiko Hatsu, Keiko Takemiya and Yukiko Kai, in a collaboration with Kyoto International Manga Museum.

Alongside, will be examples of work by a further 17 artists who have helped shape the world of shojo manga since it began.

The 1970s were regarded as a turning point in the history of shojo manga, when artists such as Keiko Takemiya emerged on the scene turning what had previously been seen as a 'low' form of manga into a cultural genre to rival literature.

Keiko published many shojo manga exploring new themes such as young homosexual love (The Poem of Wind and Trees) and science fiction (To Terra).

Yukiko was part of the wave of innovative manga artists working in Japan in the 1970s as well as one of the driving forces behind that wave. Her work covers a range of themes from science fiction fantasy through to romantic tales set outside of Japan as well as strongly Japanese creations themed around Noh theatre.

Tragically, she died at the age of 26 and as a result only short story versions of her work remain.

Akiko is Yukiko's younger sister, and a full time manga artist. She is deeply steeped in Japanese tradition, having worked on comic versions of work by authors such as Kyoka Izumi, and nowadays working on serialisations such as Dreams of Uryudo. Her stories are set not only in beautiful Japan but also in the UK and her work draws on both East and West. Akiko will make a personal appearance at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival - apparently, her first trip outside Japan.

To tie in with the exhibition the Brewery will be turning Japanese and transforming the Warehouse Café into Café Doraku complete with shelves bursting with Japanese comic art books and design, special drawing events and authentic Japanese street food including Miso soup, Bento Boxes and sticky rice dishes.