As December unfolded, Makuhari Messe held one of its iconic winter events – the Tokyo Comic Convention 2025 (Tokyo Comic Con) – which took place over the weekend of December 5th to 7th.
This renowned pop culture event speaks for itself. This year marked an unprecedented number of celebrities visiting Japan to attend this event. Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, the Twilight Warriors booth, and the Stranger Things booth drew substantial crowds. The “Star Wars Nebuta” also stood out with its impressive scale. The convention featured an official tribute to Back to the Future marking four decades since its release, along with displays showcasing costumes and props from various films and shows. Johnny Depp’s visit on the final day sparked excitement (even cosplayers resembling Johnny were spotted around the venue). Global pop culture fans brought vibrant energy to the event, where the transformative force of entertainment could be felt throughout the memorable days.
Particularly notable was the Ring Stage area, which showcased “TOKYO MX presents Wearable World of Buddha by Manga Artists,” an exhibition that had toured Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo. This collaborative venture began in 2013 leaded by Isao Kojima, who served as president of the Japan Cartoonists Association at the time, brought together Fujio Akatsuka, Yumiko Igarashi, Tetsuya Chiba, and Naoki Urasawa to craft Buddha-inspired designs. Collaborating with NEW ERA, the project adapted into wearable items such as caps and clothing.
This innovative format challenges the traditional “box-type exhibition” structure by making wearers into “exhibitors” themselves, offering a meaningful platform for manga artists’ Buddha-inspired artwork to achieve greater reach. A talk session took place at the site with three guests: manga artists Baron Yoshimoto and Yumiko Igarashi, alongside TOKYO MX producer Makoto Saso. The esteemed artists – Baron, recognized for Ju-kyo Den series and the ongoing Ah, Wilderness, and Igarashi, famous for Candy Candy and Georgie – began by discussing their much-anticipated reunion. The conversation then turned to discussing how the “wearable exhibition” concept brings fresh meaning to Buddha-inspired works, offering their thoughts to a nearly packed audience.
Igarashi focussed on “Nyoirin Kannon” as her Buddha theme. Speaking about the creation experience, she explained, “Working on this brought a sense of inner purification. The facial expression came out soft and kind, and so I hope it will bring joy to those who see it.” For Baron, his work “Tennyo Fudo” carried particular significance: “This artwork is unlike anything else in my portfolio. During the drawing process, I experienced something like a runner’s high. My brain was flooded with dopamine – it felt as if a heavenly force had taken over me!”
The two had finally reunited after 40 years. The two shared memories of the time when they visited the San Diego Comic Con together with Osamu Tezuka.
Baron reflected about those times. “On our San Diego trip with Tezuka and the team, I ended up sitting next to him on our way back home. We manga artists got enthusiastic discussing the idea of jointly buying a house in LA. In the end, I was the only one committed to the plan, leading to a year-long solo stay in LA (laughs). I built many memories, like encountering skunks… But work opportunities in America didn’t turn out as expected and I faced disappointments. I even received absurd requests to illustrate things like samurais and Mount Fuji. That makes my presence at Comic Con today so meaningful – seeing Japanese manga presented alongside worldwide comics, with visitors coming from across the globe – it’s deeply touching.”
Baron’s engaging storytelling and humorous side stories prompted Igarashi to draw a smile and say, “You haven’t changed a bit. Still full of energy and humor, and so youthful in spirit,” despite the fact that Baron is now 85 years old.
“Travelling across the world and being greeted so warmly has convinced me that mange culture can truly connect people globally,” Igarashi commented. The two legendary figures who shaped modern manga culture exchanged playful remarks like a well-practiced comedy act, delivering remarkable energy to the crowd.
The venue hosted an unplanned merchandise and autograph session featuring Igarashi and Baron besides the “Wearable World of Buddha by Manga Artists” booth, creating a perfect finale to an exceptional day. BAM has also conducted interviews with all three speakers – don’t miss that article as well!
