From David Bowie to quantum physics: Manga-Comic-Con 2025
- Written by Portal Editor
In 5 weeks the time has come, and the most colorful event at the Leipzig Trade Fair will once again attract manga, comic and anime fans from all over Germany and many parts of the world to Leipzig.
The cosplayers among them will be perfecting their lovingly designed outfits and appearances until March 27th in order to compete in the Leipzig Cosplay Competition and the new Cosplay Performance Championship Germany. Numerous guests of honor such as Kamome Shirahama from Japan, Marissa Delbressine from the Netherlands and Dan Jurgens from the USA will also be causing excitement. With more than 150 events, the Manga-Comic-Con celebrates the diversity of drawn stories that know no subject boundaries.
Manga Made in Germany - Paths for the Next Generation
Whether it's loop quantum gravity, goblins on voyages of discovery, rock stars, climate change or simply the normal life as a human, vampire or superhero - this Manga-Comic-Con (MCC) also proves that you can draw anything. And many things and complex relationships are much easier to understand when drawn, not only but especially by young readers. From March 27th to 30th, numerous manga and comic characters come to life will once again populate the Leipzig exhibition grounds, when fans dress up to meet like-minded people, show their performance on stage and meet their stars - for example Kamome Shirahama (Egmont Manga), the Japanese illustrator from Atelier of Witch Hat, who will give an interview on the Black Sofa on March 29th, or Flavia Scuderi (Panini Verlag), who will breathe new life into Marlene Dietrich on the main stage on March 30th. The guests of honor Marissa Delbressine (Carlsen Manga) and Aimée de Jongh (Splitter Verlag) from the Netherlands, Dan Jurgens and Mike Perkins (both Panini Verlag) from the USA, Odin Helgheim (NORLA Norwegian Literature Abroad) from the host country Norway, Miguel Díaz Vizoso (Splitter Verlag) from Belgium and Mini Ludvin (Splitter Verlag) from France have also announced their attendance. From Germany come Jenny Jinya (Panini Verlag), Esra Vural An (Animoon Publishing), Lea Kalbhen (Animoon Publishing), Claudya Schmidt (Splitter Verlag), Peter Eickmeyer (Splitter Verlag), Gaby von Borstel (Splitter Verlag), Anne Herzel (Cross Cult) and Michael Peinkofer (Ravensburger Verlag GmbH).
In addition to the Leipzig Cosplay Competition, which traditionally takes place on Saturday, March 29, MCC visitors can also take part in the WunderCosplay Competition. As in the previous year, WunderZeilen Verlag is looking for the most fantastic book cosplays of the MCC. Already announced for 2024 in Leipzig, the premiere of the new Cosplay Performance Championship Germany will take place on Sunday, March 30th. In cooperation with the convention portal Con-Finder, the finalists who have already proven themselves in the state preliminary rounds will also be honored on the big stage. On Thursday, March 27th, the Tancho Awards will be announced as part of a panel discussion on the topic of "Manga Made in Germany - Paths for the Next Generation".
Markus Heitz will plunge into the adventure "Library of Obsidian"
In the Hidden Gems exhibition in the backstage area of the main stage in Hall 3, over twenty indie artists will show the diversity of the independent manga scene and give personal insights into their development as publisher-independent manga artists.
Hundreds of exhibitors and publishers will ensure that there is plenty of exciting things for the community to discover and lots of great offers to get involved in. The program highlights include, for example, the workshops by Art Macoro and the DJG, as well as the Pen & Paper events of the Fantastic Academy.
Under the direction of Christoph Hardebusch, Liza Grimm, Mikkel Robrahn, Anabelle Stehl and Markus Heitz will plunge into the adventure "Library of Obsidian" live on Friday, March 28th.
If you've always wanted to see who is behind the German voices of your If you are into your favorite films, series and anime, then the new dubbing area in Hall 3, Stand E401 is the right place for you. There, prominent speakers are waiting for their fans with autographs, photos and even audio recordings - including Santiago Ziesmer (the voice of SpongeBob, among others) and Engelbert von Nordhausen (the voice of Samuel L. Jackson, among others).
Tres Toni – Three tones connect Japan and Germany
MCC visitors can also expect something worth listening to at “Tres Toni – Three tones connect Japan and Germany” on Thursday, March 27th with Alice Uehara, Chieko Kinugasa and Yuki Steinbach on the main stage, Hall 3, Stand G400. City Hunter fans can look forward to the comeback on Saturday, March 29th (Black Sofa, Hall 1, Stand A501/C500). Loewe Verlag is also hosting the remake of the popular anime and manga series by Astro Boy creator Osamu Tezuka, “Off to Adventure with Unico!” on Sunday, March 30th. At the numerous screenings in the anime cinema in the exhibition center, Level -1, Room M3, you can either relax, get excited or get scared. For example, “A Certain Magical Index – The Movie: The Miracle of Endymion” will be shown on Thursday, March 27th from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The over 150 m2 joint stand of Elbenwald & Elbenwald Festival in Hall 3, Stand C209/D202, which is richly stocked with fan articles, is also guaranteed to be a visitor magnet. And of course all cosplay, anime and comic fans will meet on Saturday evening to celebrate at the Anime Party in the Moritzbastei.
Also new at the MCC is Team Sam at the Info Point in Hall 3, J401. It helps everyone who needs support with issues such as fear, distress, harassment, insecurity or overload during their visit.
A note for trade fair visitors who turned 18 in 2024 or 2025: The Culture Pass from the Minister of State for Culture and Media can be used to visit the Leipzig Book Fair and the MCC or to buy books in the Hugendubel trade fair bookstores.
Further information at: www.kulturpass.de/ueber-den-kulturpass
The program with all guests of honor, exhibitors and dates will be published here from February 27th.
The Manga Comic Con in conjunction with the Leipzig Book Fair will take place from March 27th to 30th, 2025. Tickets are available in the online ticket shop.
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