The iconic international event expects to beat all records
The architecture of Antoni Gaudí and Super Mario at the Manga Fair
The 21st Manga Fair in Barcelona, from 29 October to 1 November at Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc venue, is the biggest in its history with 60,000 square metres of exhibition space and more activities and exhibitors than ever. This year the architecture of Antoni Gaudí and the famous Super Mario are the stars of the show.
The event, an absolute must for fans of comics and Japanese animation, is being held in Halls 1, 2 and 4 as well as Plaça Univers, with a record number of stands – no fewer than 173 exhibitors, an increase of 15%.
As well as the usual area showcasing the latest Manga and merchandising innovations, there will be an area set aside for Japanese gastronomy with more restaurants and a floor devoted to traditional Japanese culture, spirituality and natural therapies. There will also be stage for concerts and dance performances and areas for cosplayers, screenings, exhibitions and gaming workshops.
Some of the activities and exhibitions at the show will revolve around the presence of architecture in Manga, with Antoni Gaudí as the protagonist, a commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a visit by one of the survivors, and Super Mario Bros, the ever-popular Nintendo plumber who is celebrating his thirtieth birthday.
Some of the Japanese authors invited this year include Io Sakisaka (Aoha Ride), Inio Asano (Solanin) and Tetsuya Tashiro (Akame ga kill!), as well as the producers of the film Dragon Ball Z.
The Manga Fair is organized by Ficomic.
Barcelona, October 2015