The municipality will once again host the festival, which combines manga, anime, video games, cosplay, music, science, workshops, and traditional Japanese culture. This year marks the twentieth anniversary, celebrated with a special program of free activities for all audiences, subject to venue capacity.
This edition features notable guests such as Folagor, Zequio, Rebecca Vilches, Fisicomic, Mitsuru Nagata, and several professionals who have dubbed Naruto into Basque. The schedule includes meet-and-greets, workshops, demonstrations, and contests, along with a special guest for the karaoke competition: Julen Taboada from the popular TV show Go!azen.
A special event on Saturday will commemorate Mangamore's 20 years, reviewing its history and honoring individuals and organizations who have contributed to it. Participants will include, among others, Jokin Lacalle, Santi Romano, Leire Iturbe, Igone González, and Sofia Izaguirre.
The Mayor of Amorebieta-Etxano, Ainhoa Salterain, highlighted that “Mangamore is a deeply rooted event in our municipality, and this year we have the opportunity to celebrate its 20-year journey”. Salterain emphasized that “the festival has successfully grown and evolved over the years, maintaining its open, participatory, and family-friendly character while bringing Japanese culture closer to audiences of all ages”.
The festival will extend across various locations in Amorebieta-Etxano. The Zelaieta Zentro will host the Artist Alley, workshops, video games, board and role-playing games, exhibitions, family activities, talks, and a horror-themed attraction. Additionally, there will be offerings related to Japanese calligraphy, Sumi-e, tea ceremony, kimono, and Japanese poetry.
The Zelaieta park will feature commercial stands and a gastronomic area, alongside activities like softcombat, lightsaber duels, and the presence of the Star Wars 501st Legion. The Txu Txu train will also return, and the Antxeta by Taberu tavern will offer a special pintxo for Mangamore.
The offerings will be complemented at the Zornotza Aretoa and the Herriko Plaza, which will host large-screen video game tournaments, inflatables for children and teenagers, and Umore Horia activities.
Local participation will be significant this year, with artists, associations, establishments, and collectives from Amorebieta-Etxano directly involved in the program, strengthening the connection between the festival and the municipality. These include creators in the Artist Alley, the Forjadores association, the Antxeta by Taberu establishment, and the Ukabidea group.
The program will include activities for diverse ages and profiles, ranging from children's crafts to board, role-playing, and video game tournaments, as well as dubbing workshops and proposals related to illustration and Japanese culture. Mangamore aims to maintain its open, participatory, and intergenerational character, offering opportunities for both specialized audiences and first-time visitors.
Access to Mangamore will be free and open until full capacity. Participation in some contests requires prior registration via the festival's website, and for certain workshops, on-site registration will be available starting October 10th, Saturday, at 11:00 AM in the workshop area itself, until places are filled.
Mangamore will be open on Saturday, October 10th, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and on Sunday, October 11th, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The full program and practical information can be consulted on the festival's official website.
