Manga March Madness Faire!

This program will take place in person at the 53rd St Library.

It’s Japan Day at 53rd St once again!

Get ready for a day filled with manga, creativity, and community at the 2nd Annual Manga March Madness Faire! This year, we’re celebrating 25 years of Nana, one of the most iconic shoujo manga of all time, with a theme that explores “A Girl’s Ego”—empowering stories, artistic expression, and the impact of shoujo culture.

Event highlights include:
3pm-4pm: Celebrating 25 Years of Nana” – Join Young Adult Librarian Gabrielle Noh as she dives into the cultural and literary significance of Nana, exploring how it shaped a generation of shoujo fans.

4pm-5pm: “RESENTER Read-Aloud & Discussion” –Is revenge ever really necessary? Decide for yourself during a manga read-along of the VIZ horror one-shot, RESENTER, with creator Gigi Murakami and Jai Anastasia from Anime Is What Made Me, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on manga storytelling.

5pm-6pm (Hybrid Panel – Panelist on Zoom): “So, You Want to Be a Manga Editor?” – Interested in working in manga? Square Enix Manga & Books editors Edward Hong (My Dress-Up Darling, Daemons of the Shadow Realm) and Jennifer Sherman (The Apothecary Diaries, A Man and His Cat) share their journeys and insights on breaking into the industry.(MATURE AUDIENCE 18+)

6pm-7pm: “Shaking Up the Mangaka” – Explore an introductory workshop that encourages future mangaka artists to bypass the stereotypes of Black manga characters. While providing a historical background on manga adaption that influenced today’s anime world with Jai Anastasia from Anime Is What Made Me, then dive into a hands-on drawing workshop led by Ignatz-nominated manga artist Gigi Murakami.

7pm-8pm: “Nana Anime Watch Party” – Enjoy the first 3 episodes of the iconic anime Nana with special opening remarks from Dr. Mimi Okabe,Interim Director of the Japanese Language Program at Baruch College.

Other Activities & Experiences:

Anime Gaming & Trivia – Show off your skills and test your anime knowledge.
Artist & Culture Alley – Discover artwork and cultural showcases from talented creators.
Nana Cosplay Competition – Dress up and compete for prizes!
Anime Screening & Refreshments – Enjoy pizza, Hi-Chews, and a cozy anime watch party!