Abstract: To provide an optical element capable of suppressing at least either aggregation of the protruded patterns or generation of dents in the light absorbing layer during manufacturing steps. The micro louver includes: a transparent substrate; a transparent layer formed on a surface of the transparent substrate; provided that the surface of the transparent layer in contact with the transparent substrate of the transparent layer is a bottom face and the opposite side thereof is an upper face, a plurality of protruded patterns formed on the transparent layer by being isolated from each other by having the upper face as the top face; and a light absorbing layer formed between the protruded patterns. Further, regarding the section of the protruded pattern as a face perpendicular to the surface of the transparent substrate, a width on the upper face side of is wider than a width on the bottom face side.