Two of Japan’s most distinctive manga artists are coming to Heroes Made in Asia! On March 21 & 22, Jaarbeurs Utrecht will be the stage for Shintaro Kago, master of surreal underground manga, and Gou Tanabe, the visionary behind the acclaimed Lovecraft adaptations.
Shintaro Kago
Shintaro Kago is one of the most recognisable and influential names in the world of Japanese underground manga. Renowned for his surreal, grotesque style and unmistakable creativity, meeting Kago-san in person is a rare and precious opportunity for any manga enthusiast.
Signing Session
Kago-san will hold two signing sessions per festival day. Each session lasts 60 minutes (with the possibility of extension if needed) and is limited to 50 participants. To take part, you will need a numbered ticket, your name is required when collecting one.
Bringing a manga to be signed?
- Kago-san will sign your manga with a personal dedication in your name (or any name of your choosing).
- He will add a small, hand-drawn illustration alongside the signature.
- You will also receive a free festival print featuring Kago-san’s signature and your name (no illustration).
Not bringing a manga? No problem!
- You’ll receive a free festival print featuring Kago-san’s signature, your name, and a small personal illustration.
Commissions
Shintaro Kago is world-famous for his unique portrait commissions, and at Heroes Made in Asia, you can have one made just for you. Each commission costs €100 and is created on Kago-san’s own paper, taking approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Commissions will not be carried out during the official signing sessions, but during other available time slots when Kago-san is neither signing nor appearing on stage. Keep an eye on the festival schedule for available slots.
Live Drawing & Raffle
Want to see Kago-san in action? Join his live drawing session on the Matsuri Stage! Once the session is complete, the artwork will be raffled off among the audience. Kago-san will call out a number, seats in the venue are numbered, and whoever is sitting in that seat goes home with a unique, signed, and personalised artwork by Shintaro Kago himself. Do not miss it!
Gou Tanabe
Gou Tanabe is the mangaka behind the critically acclaimed adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s horror stories. With a detailed, atmospheric drawing style that perfectly captures the cosmic dread of Lovecraft’s work, Tanabe-san has built a passionate and dedicated fanbase worldwide. Heroes Made in Asia is your chance to meet him in person for the very first time.
Signing Session
Tanabe-san will also hold two signing sessions per festival day, each lasting 60 minutes (with the possibility of extension). Each session is open to a maximum of 50 participants. Just like with Kago-san, you will need a numbered ticket in your name to take part.
Bringing a manga to be signed?
- Tanabe-san will sign your manga with a personal dedication in your name (or any name of your choosing).
- He will add a small, hand-drawn illustration alongside the signature.
- You will receive a free festival print with Tanabe-san’s signature and your name (no illustration).
Not bringing a manga?
- You’ll receive a free festival print with Tanabe-san’s signature, your name, and a small personal illustration.
Commissions
Gou Tanabe will not be doing commissions during Heroes Made in Asia.
Live Drawing & Raffle
Tanabe-san will also be hosting a live drawing session on the Matsuri Stage. After the session, the artwork will be raffled among those in attendance using a random seat number draw. Should this method encounter any issues, an alternative fully random method will be used to determine the lucky winner. The artwork will be signed and personalised for whoever wins.
© Tanabe Gou 2019 / KADOKAWA CORPORATION.
Practical Information
Heroes Made in Asia takes place on March 21 and 22 at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht. Signing session tickets are numbered and issued on name, make sure to arrive early, as spots are limited to 50 per session. Follow the official festival announcements for exact session times and any updates.
