Loire. Five good reasons for an immersion in the heart of Japanese pop culture in Montagny

1. It’s the ideal place for a geeky or artisanal shopping spree

One of the advantages of this festival lies in the diversity of worlds offered in the alleys of the Henri-Valfort hall. Visitors will be able to browse the stands of many specialized shops: goodies, plush toys, mangas, figurines, collectible cards, board games, and more.

2. Plenty of activities to enjoy

Between shiatsu or karate demonstrations, conferences, quizzes, and author meetings, a multitude of activities will brighten up these two days of the festival. On Saturday at 10:15 am and Sunday at 3:15 pm, visitors can also discover the ancient art of Japanese sword handling through demonstrations.

One of the weekend’s highlights is the concert by Elise Ald on Saturday at 4 pm. The artist will light up the stage with her covers of iconic songs from the Disney universe (Frozen, Mulan, Aladdin) or Japanese anime theme songs.

3. Meet a local mangaka

Immersed in the world of manga since childhood, Matthieu Badiou from Saint-Etienne first gained recognition in 2023 with a “one-shot” (complete story published in one chapter or one volume) titled “Azalea and the Dyson Rings”, followed by “Akaru: Anthologie”, a collection of light novels with manga illustrations.

Since then, Matthieu Badiou has been introducing his readers to the different volumes of his new creation, “Akaru-Arzarkan, the Hand of Destruction”, available in light novels and manga. Visitors can interact with this talented mangaka and explore his rich universe during signing sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

4. Put a face to a familiar voice

This year, the festival welcomes a special guest: actress Nathalie Bienaimé, known for her extensive work in dubbing.

She regularly lends her voice to American actresses Brenda Song and Maggie Gyllenhaal, as well as to Bart and Jimbo in “The Simpsons” since 2023. In animation, she also voices Lincoln Loud in “The Loud House”, Betty in “Atomic Betty”, and Rocky in “Paw Patrol”.

The actress will be present throughout the weekend for signing sessions and on-stage discussions with the public, particularly on Sunday during a workshop dedicated to the behind-the-scenes of dubbing.

5. Marvel at various cosplays

An essential part of geek culture events, the cosplay world will have a prominent place. Each day, parades will allow enthusiasts to showcase their handcrafted and colorful creations on stage for the public to see.

Participation will be free and open to everyone: “No need for stress, choreography, or soundtrack preparation, no judging, just fun,” assure the organizers.

Prior to these parades, the Jellymoon Cosplay duo will offer shows inspired by the globally renowned rhythm game “Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!”