To mark his first participation in the Italian pop culture event "Lucca Comics & Games," which will be held in the fall of 2025, and to pay tribute to his Italian fans, manga artist Tetsuo Hara has created a new oil painting. The work will be exhibited at the event venue for a limited time.
[Features of this work]
The work is titled "Il Salvatore nell'Arena" (The Savior in the Arena). The approximately 70 x 60 cm canvas combines the iconic presence of Kenshiro, the protagonist of the manga "Fist of the North Star," with the stylized beauty of Italian art, as exemplified by painting, sculpture, and classical architecture. Set in an ancient amphitheater, the work depicts the end-of-the-century savior Kenshiro, surrounded by red flags and bathed in heavenly light, picking up the helmet of his defeated opponent. To create this powerful piece, Hara consulted historical iconographical materials available only in Italy.
Tetsuo Hara working in his studio
[Exhibition venue and period]
This work will be exhibited at the world's first large-scale solo exhibition of Tetsuo Hara, which will be held at the Renaissance church of Santa Annunziata dei Servi in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, from October 25 to November 2, 2025. The exhibition will offer a comprehensive look at Hara's artistic career and creative journey through oil paintings as well as over 100 original manga drawings. Hara will be in Lucca from October 30 to November 2, interacting with fans through autograph sessions, special events, and interviews with domestic and international media.
[Used as a special cover for the comics]
In addition to being on display, "Il Salvatore nell'Arena" (Savior of the Arena) will also be used as the special cover for the first volume of "Fist of the North Star Ultimate Edition," to be published by Italian publisher Panini Comics, and limited premium merchandise will also be sold by Core Mix.
