Meet World-Famous Mangakas at Heroes Made in Asia in Jaarbeurs Utrecht!

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For the upcoming edition of the Asian pop culture event Heroes Made in Asia, no expense has been spared in curating an impressive lineup and matching program filled with masterclasses and professionals. Today, we announce a series of new Guests, and they are nothing short of extraordinary! Mangakas, ilustrators and folklorists will be coming all the way from Japan and other parts of the Pacific.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience!
Meeting a Mangaka – the creative mastermind behind Japan’s famous manga – is an experience you will never forget. These exceptional artists not only bring stories to life but also embody the rich traditions and culture of Japan in their works. During Heroes Made in Asia, you’ll have the unique opportunity to witness a Mangaka live in action in Utrecht.

Yamazaki Kore
Kore-sensei is a world famous mangaka and creator of The Ancient Magus’ Bride, which started being published in 2013 with Monthly Comic Blade (published by Mag Garden). The series has sold over 11 million copies worldwide and it has been adapted to an anime you can watch on Crunchyroll. Since 2023, she has moved the serialization of The Ancient Magus’ Bride to Comic Growl (published by Bushiroad Works), where she is currently working on the new arc “Fiendbane”, as well as Ghost & Witch.

Acky Bright
Born in Osaka, is a highly acclaimed manga artist and illustrator, renowned for his captivating “kawakakkoii” style drawings that pay homage to the golden age of Japanese manga and anime. With an impressive portfolio spanning both domestic and international projects, Acky has left an indelible mark on the industry. His work is celebrated worldwide, with collaborations with major companies, including McDonald’s, DC Comics and BMW. Known as a master of live drawing, Acky recently concluded his solo exhibition in NYC and is now set to craft a breathtaking canvas masterpiece at HMIA!

Kazu Kibuishi
Born in Tokyo in 1978, Kazu Kibuishi is a fourth-generation Japanese-American. His great-grandfather opened the Katagiri Store in New York City in 1907, the oldest Japanese grocery store in the United States. Kazu has made his mark as the writer and illustrator of the Amulet Graphic Novel series, a New York Times Bestseller. Over 10 million copies of Amulet have been printed and translated into 23 languages.

Zack Davisson
Zack is an award-winning translator, writer, and lecturer. He has translated classic manga like Kitaro, Space Battleship Yamato, and Devilman, as well as modern works such as Satoshi Kon’s Opus, Record of Lodoss War, H.P. Lovecraft’s Call of Cthulhu, and Cat + Gamer. He is also the author of The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Yokai, The Art of Star Wars Visions, and Manga: A Visual Guide. His works have been translated into multiple languages.

Looking ahead
Mangakas aren’t the only unique highlight of the show. The event’s refreshed Look & Feel will also be unveiled in early February. Webtoon illustrator Meritxell (Gecko Chan) Garcia has reimagined the design, creating a style that is sure to resonate with visitors. With her remarkable talent for design and her ability to bring characters and worlds to life, we entrusted Meri with designing the new mascot, a creation we’re confident you’ll fall in love with, as well as this year’s official Heroes Made in Asia poster.

All guests will be present on both days of the event, participating in live illustrations and exclusive panels. Get your tickets now!

More to explorer

Meet the HMIA 2025 poster! 🎨

Get your hands on the poster at the Guest Square on March 15 & 16, 2025, at Jaarbeurs Utrecht, and have it signed by Meritxell on the spot! ✏️

Heroes Made in Asia introduces new visual identity and mascot

Meritxell Garcia: “I was incredibly proud when I was asked to create the new brand identity for HMIA. I know how beloved Gecko Chan is worldwide, but I never imagined I would be the one designing Heroes Made in Asia’s new mascot, Mochi. I have put so much passion into this, and I truly hope the fans enjoy it just as much as I loved creating it all!”

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