Heroes Made in Asia | March 21 & 22, 2026 Jaarbeurs Utrecht

MANGA, MANHWUA, MANGUA & MANGAKA

Looking for Manga, Manhwa, or Manhua, or something else? Come and find out, because manga is the beating heart of Heroes Made in Asia. Whether you’re into epic adventures, heartfelt stories, or stunning artwork, we have it all. Explore a wide variety of genres and discover new favorites from across the Asian comic world. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, there’s something here for everyone. Dive into a universe where every page brings new heroes, unforgettable moments, and a whole lot of excitement. Come join us, and let the journey begin!

Guests from last edition

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 DC Comics and Hasbro. Known as a master of live illustrations, Acky will create a stunning 2-meter-wide canvas at the event – a performance you won’t want to miss!

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.

MERITXELL GARCIA

Meritxell Garcia is an experienced and versatile Art Director with a background in both graphic design and illustration. Meet her and her adorable webtoon “Gecko Chan” during HMIA on March 15 & 16! Over the years, she has built an impressive portfolio by working as an Illustrator and Concept Artist across various industries, including video game companies, animation studios, advertising agencies, and as a faculty member at Escola Joso (School of Art) in Barcelona. She has also contributed to several books (Editorial el Pirata, Norma Editorial, Planeta Comic, Salvat) and is the author of the popular comedy webtoon “Gecko Chan.”

Konata

Konata started studying Manga at art school on the weekends, and soon she realized that was the artistic path she wanted to follow so she started studying Art Graphic. During her stay at Joso’s school she won the award in the International Comic and Manga competition organized by Clip Studio Paint with her story “¡Ánimo Papá!” (“You got this, Dad!”) She’s currently working on the Planeta Manga magazine, where she’s published titles like EDO, NEBESTA (with script by Vanesa Final) and KOHVA, written and drawn by Konata, title that has been licensed to be published in Japan, a historic feat

Paula Aranega

Paula Aranega is a Spanish illustrator who loves working on covers, children’s and young adult books. She brings stories to life with colorful, detailed artwork. After studying at Escola Joso, she now teaches drawing to kids, giving her a unique perspective on how younger audiences engage with stories and imaginery. In addition to being an illustrator, she works as a freelance scout for Norma Editorial and has completed several translations, such as Ambassadors by Mark Millar and Battlemex by David A. Rodriguez.