July 30-Sept. 11

Perhaps best known for her manga ¡°Helter Skelter,¡± which became even more of a hit after it was adapted for film in 2012, illustrator Kyoko Okazaki focuses her work on the lives of contemporary young women living in major cities.

Unlike typical ²õ³ó¨­Âá´Ç manga (comics aimed at teenage girls and young women), Okazaki¡¯s illustrations depict the desires and insecurities of women as they face the constant changes of modern capitalistic society¡¯s values and expectations. This exhibition of more than 300 works includes original illustrations, blueprints and even some of Okazaki¡¯s sketches from when she was in primary school.

Itami City Museum of Art; 2-5-20 Miyamomae, Itami, Hyogo. Itami Stn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ?800. Closed Mon. 072-772-7447;