By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
The Japan-centric events of the month ahead promise to be as rich and full as autumn itself—brisk and colorful, with a dash of unpredictability.
Oct. 1 and 8
Various theaters
Various prices
A pair of encore screenings by Fathom Entertainment for this year’s Studio Ghibli Fest! Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning animated feature film comes to life in this first-ever stage adaptation, full of dazzling sets, captivating musical numbers, and wondrous puppets of beloved characters. Adapted and directed by Tony Award-winner John Caird (Les Misérables), two unique casts and performances were filmed during the show’s acclaimed 2022 run at Tokyo’s historic Imperial Theatre, featuring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro.
Oct. 3-Jan. 31
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
$12-$30
Art of Manga is the first major exhibition in the Americas to explore manga—Japanese comics and graphic novels—as an art form. Marking its East Coast debut, the Brooklyn Museum’s presentation is packed with more than 600 drawings that showcase manga’s immersive power and social impact. Don’t miss this rare opportunity for US audiences to encounter an astonishing selection of original manga artworks, including examples from beloved series Inuyasha, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, ONE PIECE, and many more.
Oct. 8-15
Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth 20th Anniversary
Various theaters
Various prices
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary courtesy of Fathom Entertainment, Pan’s Labyrinth, from visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, is an Academy Award–winning dark fantasy set in 1944 Spain. As fascist forces tighten their grip following the Spanish Civil War, young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is uprooted to a remote military outpost commanded by her cruel stepfather (Sergi López). Amid the brutality of war, Ofelia discovers a hidden labyrinth and encounters a mysterious faun who claims she is a lost princess. To reclaim her throne, she must complete three dangerous tasks that test her courage and spirit. As reality and fantasy intertwine, Ofelia’s journey becomes a powerful exploration of innocence, resistance, and the enduring power of imagination in the face of unimaginable darkness. Presented in select locations in 3D and HDR for the first time!
Saturday, Oct. 10, 7:00 p.m.
CHRONO TRIGGER Orchestra Concert: Melodies Across Time
Infosys Theater at MSG, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza
From $116.35
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the legendary SquareSoft RPG CHRONO TRIGGER, the CHRONO TRIGGER Orchestra Concert: Melodies Across Time brings the game’s iconic soundtrack to life with a full orchestra and imagery from the original adventure. The concert originated as a 30th Anniversary production in Japan in January 2026 and is making its North American debut in October 2026. Conducted by internationally acclaimed maestro Nicholas Buc, the concert transforms composer Yasunori Mitsuda’s beloved themes into sweeping orchestral arrangements, accompanied by memorable scenes from CHRONO TRIGGER. This three-city U.S. tour also includes stops at The Auditorium in Chicago (Oct. 14) and the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (Oct. 18)
Oct. 10-14
Various theaters
Various prices
On the eve of the United States Civil War, rich, beautiful and self-centered Scarlett O’Hara (Leigh) has everything she could want—except Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard). But as the war devastates the South, Scarlett discovers the strength within herself to protect her family and rebuild her life. Through everything, she longs for Ashley, unaware that she is already married to the man she really loves (Gable)—and who truly loves her—until she finally drives him away. Only then does Scarlett realize what she has lost … and decide to win him back. Considered one of the greatest classic American movies, Gone With The Wind won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, Hattie McDaniel, the first Oscar awarded to an African-American actor. This Fathom Entertainment special release includes exclusive insight from Leonard Maltin.
Oct. 15-Oct. 18
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$32, $43
“Once upon a time, when the world was still young, floating like oil…” —Kojiki, set down in 712 CE
Following the acclaim of 2022’s 9000 Paper Balloons, New York-based puppeteer Maiko Kikuchi returns to Japan Society with Kojiki de Creation — a world premiere animating the gods, islands, critters and howling chaos of the Kojiki, Japan’s oldest mythological chronicle. As a lone reader opens the book, an ancient world erupts from its pages onto the stage: Kikuchi fashions fearsome Shinto gods from everyday objects and draws primordial creatures into being before your eyes. The result is a theatrical conjuring of the birth of Japan itself — assembled, with characteristic whimsy, from paper, ink and imagination. Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 pm—Followed by a Private Gathering for Artists and Members / Friday, October 16 at 7:30 pm—Preceded by a Pre-Performance Lecture / Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 pm—Preceded by a Pre-Performance Lecture / Sunday, October 18 at 2:30 pm—Followed by an Artist Q&A
Sunday, Oct. 17, 7:00 p.m.
Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Avenue
From $47
Celebrate 10 years of My Hero Academia as the stage comes alive with epic hero moments, inspiring characters, and “Plus Ultra” energy that resonates with fans of all ages. This is not just a concert, it’s a heroic adventure, a musical tribute, and an emotional journey rolled into one unforgettable musical experience! This live concert experience immerses fans in the anime’s full eight season journey like never before. Set on stage with a powerful 15-piece live band performing Yuki Hayashi’s iconic score, every note captures the triumph, heartbreak, and heroism of the series. The concert seamlessly blends dynamic music with striking visuals of the anime’s most memorable scenes, creating a fully immersive journey that puts fans in the heart of the action.
Oct. 17-21
Various theaters
Various prices
The final selection for this year’s Studio Ghibi Fest, presented by Fathom Entertainment! Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation. Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.
Oct. 23-25
Duggal Greenhouse, 63 Flushing Avenue
From $129.69
Discover the traditions, rituals, and rules that have shaped this 1,500-year-old sport through engaging storytelling and demonstrations. Learn from Konishiki, the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach ōzeki, the second-highest rank in sumo, as he guides you through the evening. Select ticket tiers include a curated sushi experience created in partnership with the finest local restaurants. Feel the excitement as elite wrestlers showcase their strength, technique, and athleticism through powerful exhibition matches. Step into the ring and face off with a real sumo wrestler. This exclusive add-on gives you the chance to experience the size, power, and tradition of sumo firsthand. Equal parts thrilling and unforgettable, this is one of the most talked about moments of the night!
Oct. 29-Dec. 12
David Zwirner, 533 West 19th Street and 537 West 20th Street
Free
David Zwirner presents Nara’s first solo exhibition with the gallery and his first major New York presentation in nearly a decade! The show traces four decades of an artistic language shaped by his childhood in rural northern Japan, encounters with nature and folklore, and a lifelong love of music. Nara’s instantly recognizable, big-headed figures—simultaneously innocent and defiant—began as deeply personal expressions but have evolved into cultural touchstones that resonate with audiences around the world. Bringing together works from the 1980s through 2026, the exhibition reveals new developments in Nara’s practice, including more muted, layered colors, atmospheric brushwork, linear “line” paintings, and monumental drawings, alongside thirteen oversized bronze heads inspired by the snow “monsters” of his childhood. The New York exhibition coincides with Yoshitomo Nara: Sentinels of Stillness at the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC, where three monumental sculptures will be on view from October 31 through November 7.
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