Diversity and fusion at the 29th edition of Manga Barcelona

Today’s world is constantly incorporating new languages, diverse cultures and exotic references which, by making themselves present, end up being integrated into local cultures and adopt new forms and accents. This is what has happened to manga, a wholly Japanese cultural product which is now from a little bit of every corner of the world and speaks the most diverse languages. This diversity and this fusion is what this year’s edition of Manga Barcelona is all about.

Currently directed by Meritxell Puig, Manga Barcelona (in the image, a fragment of the poster by Meritxell Bonastre Tur) is once again combining manga with gastronomy (this year, they are teaming up with Escribà, who will be making mochis in the Nihon Ryori gastronomic space) with the most diverse forms of Japanese culture, including music and audiovisual products such as those to be found in the new Manga Stream space.

As always, the main attraction of Manga Barcelona are the guests, including the well-known cartoonist and illustrator Hisato Murasaki (who adapted the Persona 5 video game series into manga) and the artist Tokyo Genso, creator of  futuristic and fantastic imagery.

Cosplay and otaku anthems have a prominent place on the Manga Barcelona Big Stage, where musicians such as Centimillimental, Anly and Ayumi Miyazaki, amongst others, will be performing. You’re sure to see cosplayers like Anaelic, Pretzl Cosplay or Diana Tolin, who won’t miss this party.

Artists like Fermín Muguruza, authors like Hisato Murasaki and Bryan Lee O’Malley (the Eisner Award-winning author of the best-selling Scott Pilgrim series), producers like Kohei Sakita and even chefs like Steven Wu are taking part in this edition of Manga Barcelona.

Remember that, in addition to visiting the exhibitors, special guests and performances, Manga Barcelona includes six exhibitions including My Neighbour Totoro: 35 visions. This exhibit is a homage to the Japanese animation classic, which celebrates 35 years of this anime masterpiece. The exhibition has been curated by Jordi Pastor and Reinaldo Pereira and organised by Manga Barcelona. Another exhibition, Expo Cosplays Studio Ghibli, will show cosplay costumes of the main characters of feature films such as Spirited Away, among others. Completing the list of exhibitions are the one dedicated to four authors from the Joso School; the Itadakimanga exhibition on gastronomy and manga and one more on the Japanese school that appears in the manga: Manga Kids Academy: the expo.

Don’t leave, however, without seeing The Art of Tokyo Genso, an illustrator who is the official guest of 29th Manga Barcelona and whose work recreates Tokyo spaces in a possible fantastic future.

If manga is already part of your life, come to Manga Barcelona, catch up on the latest news and meet your favourite authors.