Manga Barcelona wraps 'magical' edition, cementing its status in otaku culture

Manga Barcelona wrapped its 31st edition on Monday after four days celebrating Japanese culture.

The iconic fair in the Catalan capital concluded a "magical" edition, further cementing its status as a global reference for otaku culture.

Since last Friday, visitors have enjoyed a meeting point for building community and exploring all aspects of Japanese culture.

The fair welcomed notable names such as Tsutomu Takahashi, Gou Tanabe, Akemi Takada, and creators from Cowboy Bebop.

In total, 302 exhibitors occupied 90,000 square meters at Fira Gran Via Barcelona.

Beyond the exhibition stands, the event featured conferences, artist meet-and-greets, workshops, editorial presentations, and screenings.

In an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), Manga Barcelona director Meritxell Puig celebrated the festival's enduring popularity.

“We continue to be a reference event on a global scale,” she said.

For many attendees, the festival has become a tradition. Octavi, who now comes with his children and has attended since he was young, praised the diversity of activities.

Ari, another attendee, spent all four days dressed in different cosplays that she creates herself, as she is a seamstress.

Visitors celebrated not only the festival’s shops and stands but also the sense of belonging, enjoying a space surrounded by people who love Japanese culture "without judgment."