At the 17ᵗʰ Algiers International Comics Festival (FIBDA), Japan’s pavilion was among the most popular attractions, drawing large crowds throughout the event. Blending competitions, drawing workshops, and cultural exchanges, the Japanese stand offered a vibrant space for inspiration and creativity, particularly for manga enthusiasts.

Organized under the auspices of the Embassy of Japan in Algeria, a series of activities introduced visitors, especially young people, to the art and culture of manga. Kazuki Matsubayashi, representative of the Japanese Embassy, welcomed the growing interest in Japanese culture among Algerians. « This year, many talented young people took part in the manga competition. They understand Japanese culture deeply and reinterpret it in their own creative and sensitive ways », he said.

For Matsubayashi, such initiatives are essential: « Our goal is to strengthen the connection between Japanese and Algerian cultures. Manga serves as a powerful bridge between our two peoples ».

The manga drawing competition, held on the sidelines of the festival, drew dozens of Algerian participants. The winner will receive a trip to Japan, a unique opportunity to visit Tokyo’s renowned manga studios and specialized schools. Matsubayashi praised the high quality of the submitted works, noting that « participants showed great command of the manga style while weaving in elements of Algerian culture ».

Throughout the festival, Japanese and Algerian artists led drawing and storytelling workshops, encouraging young creators to explore and build their own artistic worlds. The pavilion also featured around fifteen manga works created by young Algerians inspired by Japan. « Due to limited space, we hope to showcase more works from competition participants next year », Matsubayashi added, hinting at plans to improve the selection and exhibition process.

Beyond comics, Japan’s presence at FIBDA underscores a broader ambition to deepen cultural exchange. Combining modern graphic expression with respect for narrative traditions, manga has become a universal language, one that increasingly speaks to young Algerian creators.