‘Hunted Project,’ the third exhibition held annually by Comic Media Academy, garnered attention from the youth in Ho Chi Minh City with its outstanding comics and cartoons reflecting young people's confidence in the face of modern life's stresses.

The event took place on Sunday morning on Nguyen Van Binh Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, and featured 11 artworks by 11 youth groups.

The exhibition's primary theme this year was Gen Z, which refers to the group of people born between 1997 and 2012.

‘Lonely Monster’ by Sixsense. Photo: CMA / Handout via Tuoi Tre

It is a challenging topic, one that requires young artists to reflect on themselves and offer representative opinions.

The exhibition's artwork 6116 by TQT group was a shining spot due to its theme, which is about a retired teacher who returns to the school and wants to understand the young kids.

The comic book offers a desire for harmonious interaction amongst generations. 

Two young women take a look at the comic books at the Hunted Project exhibition on Nguyen Van Binh Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, March 13, 2022. Photo: Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre

The Sixsense group's comic book series 'Quai Vat Co Don' (Lonely Monster) was also one of the exhibition's most renowned pieces. 

The wordless graphic story follows a twelfth-grade student and his family as they struggle to decide on a future path.

Along with the plot's many surprising twists, the authors use a fierce monster to illustrate the young generation's loneliness, emptiness, and disappointment.

Visitors crowd the Hunted Project exhibition on Nguyen Van Binh Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, March 13, 2022. Photo: Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre

Hoang Anh, a student at Saigon University, said that despite the hard topic given, the groups' expressions were quite soft, enabling viewers to feel at peace. 

"I find empathy in the stories and feel as if I could see my own struggles reflected in them," Anh explained. 

The artworks in Hunted Project deeply portrayed the pressures and invisible war Generation Z is facing.

Poster of '4ever' comic book from 'Bo Ba Nguyen Tu' group. Photo: CMA / Handout via Tuoi Tre

"Many people believe Gen Z has a more fulfilling life than earlier generations, but they are unaware of the amount of pressure we are under,” an author from 'Bo Ba Nguyen Tu' (Trio of Atoms) shared.

"The burden was so intense that we doubted our ability to succeed and hated ourselves for being such a failure." 

The artworks were all done during the COVID-19 pandemic, which means that the artists had few opportunities to collaborate, according to painter To Bao An.

Artwork 'Connection' of Etienne group. Photo: CMA / Handout via Tuoi Tre

"Some artworks must force us to reflect on what Generation Z has endured,” An said. 

“The authors provide a very candid perspective on an open relationship. 

“There are certain groups of authors who captivate audiences with their sweet family stories.

“An exhibition in an open location such as Nguyen Van Binh Street will provide young people with more compelling reasons to pursue careers in comics and animation in the future."

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Linh To - Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre News