Nasiruddin Himel: Painting Bangladesh through manga

Photo: Courtesy

The students of Bangladesh proved their mettle in ways that few could have imagined. After months of relentless protest, they returned to the streets, not with signs and chants, but with brushes and brooms in hand, ready to cleanse the city and adorn its walls with fresh, vibrant life.

Since 5 August, the city has transformed into a canvas for art enthusiasts, who splashed colours that speak of victory and resilience across every surface. Tribute pieces honouring fallen heroes stood alongside words of inspiration, and it seemed no wall was left untouched by this creative fervour.

Yet, as you near the Military Institute of Science and Technology, there is a wall that commands your attention, perhaps even halting you in your tracks. Among the kaleidoscope of colours that brighten the city, a stark black-and-white mural seizes a pillar, capturing a moment from a manga that stands in striking contrast to its colourful surroundings.

On one corner is a scene from the manga, with a twenty-season anime, 'One Piece'. The main character, a beaten up Luffy, is holding onto a flag saying, "See? It's unbreakable." Similar to a manga, the writing also flows from right to left. 

Instead of the black pirate flag, though, he is holding onto Bangladesh's flag. Adjacent to it is Sun God Nika's silhouette, of the same manga. 

Wrapping around the pillar are scenes from other manga as well, such as 'Monster' and 'Nagato'.

After the students' victory, it was anticipated—and indeed it happened—that most walls would be adorned with art celebrating Bangladesh. However, few could have predicted that some of these walls would depict Bangladesh through the unique lens of manga or anime.

"On one side, people are drawing Shaheed Minar and the national flag, whereas on the other end, I am drawing a manga panel. So, it might seem odd to people," says Nasiruddin Mahmud Himel, the artist of the wall. 

Himel, a student at the Military Institute of Science and Technology, began illustrating around 2018-2019, turning his talent into a source of income through freelance caricatures and portraits. Though he is no longer a freelancer, his passion for art remains strong.

Photo: Courtesy

His words ring true. And while most walls are draped in patriotic art pieces, you will also find quite a few more odd pieces such as his. Walls painted with Hello Kitty, pink bows, and Gen Z lingo such as 'skibidi' and 'pookie'. The art pieces seem quite nonsensical and silly, especially to older generations. 

When 21-year-old Himel shared pictures of the wall as a work in progress, he faced unexpected criticism. 

"I originally planned to keep that pillar black and white, dedicating the space to manga. I never imagined my post would blow up," Himel shared.

He added, "It wasn't until I posted online that I started receiving messages criticising the work for not reflecting our country or honouring our martyrs."

The painting's images went viral, gathering over 2,200 shares and nearly 500 comments—far beyond what Himel anticipated.

Despite the criticism, works like Himel's allow the youth to express their struggles and triumphs in a way that feels uniquely their own. These art pieces blend aesthetics, design, and humour that resonate deeply with the younger generation, turning what might seem lighthearted into something empowering.

Even though Himel's piece was adapted to fit the context of Bangladesh and was recognised by people of all age groups, it still is a step away from traditional patriotic pieces.

Photo: Courtesy

"Art is art, and people perceive it in different ways. Art does not necessarily always have to be connected with the country," says Himel.

He continues, "People have been drawing many different things, some are even doing Arabic calligraphy. As long as the piece is pleasing to the eye and does not have any negative connotations, I believe it is fine."

When asked about the inspiration behind such a unique piece, Himel recalled how victory was celebrated in mangas.

"Sun God Nika is a warrior who fought against the World Government and its oppression of the people in One Piece. Once everyone got down on the streets to celebrate as soon as the news of the students' victory broke out, it reminded me of the manga," said Himel. 

He continues, "The protagonist, Luffy, had once also said, 'this is what I look like when I'm free.' We [the youth] felt free too as we controlled traffic and painted the walls."

However, aside from the criticism he received online, he faced other challenges as well. Himel received a lot of pressure from bypassers and even fellow artists to colour in the manga panel. Himel, who did his best to imitate the original aesthetic of classic mangas, had to stand his ground. 

Yet, one thing Himel and his fellow artists did not struggle with was funding. Himel and his peers had reached out to people around his institute. Their alumni, seniors, and even their faculties had funded the whole project, with even funds to spare.

"My sole intention in creating wall art for the first time was to showcase the beauty of Bangladesh using the minimalist yet impactful style of manga. Through the black-and-white tones, I was able to convey even more depth and meaning," he concluded.