Project Timeline

Candidates for the program (manga artists and editors) were selected from a pool of approximately 90 manga artists recommended by Japanese publishers and an advisory group comprising manga experts and editors from Japan and abroad.
*Current participants: 6 manga artists and 6 editors.

Date: February 13, 2025 (Two 90-minute sessions)
Lecturers: Odagiri Hiroshi (Freelance writer and manga researcher), Suzuki “CJ” Shige (Manga researcher; Associate Professor, Baruch College, City University of New York), Shiina Yukari (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan)

Date: March 6, 2025 (Two 90-minute sessions)
Speakers: Deb Aoki (Manga Critic and Editor), Christopher Woodrow-Butcher (Editor and Critic specializing in comics and literacy education)

Date: April 3, 2025 (Two 90-minute sessions)
Speakers: Jillian Rudes (New York State Certified School Librarian & English Educator); Ed Chavez (Manga Editor & Critic; Co-founder of DENPA, LLC, a publisher of translated Japanese manga)

1. English Profile and Synopsis
English-language profiles of the manga artists and synopses of their works were created for use in promotion kits for overseas publishers. The materials also include an introduction by lead advisor Deb Aoki.

2. MINT Sample Catalog
A sample catalog featuring the English translations of the first sections of works—six in total—by the MINT manga artists was produced.

3. MINT Promotion Video
This video features an explanation of the MINT Project by Debora Aoki, along with interviews with the manga artists and footage of their creative process. It was produced for promotional purposes overseas and for screening at exhibition venues.

■MINT SAMPLE CATALOG
■PROMOTION VIDEOS

Advisors: Debora Aoki, Odagiri Hiroshi
Content: Providing advice on activities and preparation for taking part in Anime Expo in Los Angeles and a talk event at California College of the Arts in San Francisco in July.

Reflecting on the delegation to Los Angeles and San Francisco, Mr. Kinoshita reported that the trip provided a promising sense of the potential for overseas expansion, driven by interactions with international fans and media, as well as the effective use of social media.

Advisors: Christopher Woodrow-Butcher, Odagiri Hiroshi, and Iwashita Hosei
Content: Providing advice on activities and preparation for taking part in Cartoon Crossroads Columbus in Columbus, Ohio in September.

Looking back on their dispatch to Columbus, Katsushika and Kohinata reported that although they were sometimes confused about communicating through an interpreter. However, as took part in more talks, they got used to it and realized the importance of speaking in their own words. They both had valuable experiences such as interacting with local artists.

An interim report session was held as a special seminar during TOKYO RIGHTS MEETING (TRM) 2025. The event was entitled "About the Manga Artist/Editor Training Project (MINT) with an eye on the North American manga market and overseas markets," and 3 manga artists, 1 editor, and 2 advisors who were involved with the first and second overseas dispatches took to the stage to introduce MINT activities.

Date: November 5, 2025
Location: Tokyo Dome Prism Hall (Special seminar as part of TRM)
Theme (Part I): The current state of the North American manga market and the MINT project
Speakers: Debora Aoki, Christopher Woodrow-Butcher,
Moderator: Shiina Yukari (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
Theme (Part II): Free talk bu manga artists and editor participating in MINT
Speakers: Kinoshita Itaru, Matsumura Tomoka, Katsushika Keita, Kohinata Marco

Advisors: Christopher Woodrow-Butcher, Odagiri Hiroshi, and Iwashita Hosei
Content: A review of activities during the trip to CXC in Columbus, Ohio last September, as well as key points to consider for participation in TCAF in Toronto, scheduled for June 2026.

Advisors: Ed Chavez, Suzuki “CJ” Shige, and Iwashita Hosei
Topics: Overseas publishing, key points to consider regarding travel to New York and Toronto (TCAF) in June 2026, and participation in those events.

Advisors: Deb Aoki, Iwashita Hosei
Topics: Overseas publishing, key points to consider regarding travel to New York and Toronto (TCAF) in June 2026, and participation in those events.

1. Anime Expo (Los Angeles)

Date: July 2–6, 2025

Booth Exhibition: Introduction of MINT manga artists and handing out of MINT sample catalogs
Live drawing on booth wall
Autograph session x 2
Panel talk x 2
・“Behind the Manga with Itaru Kinoshita, Creator of Dinosaur Sanctuary”
・“Manga International Network Team (MINT): Introducing Six Manga Creators to the World”

Media Interview x 6 (Anime News Network, Manga Mavericks, etc.)
In-store signing x 2 (Barnes & Noble, Kinokuniya LA)

2. Talk Event at California College of the Arts (San Francisco)
Date: July 7–12, 2025
Talk event: California College of the Arts talk, part of "Comics in the City" event
In-store signing x 1 (Kinokuniya SF)

1. Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) 2025

Date: September 16–22, 2025

MINT Booth Exhibition: Introduction of MINT manga artists and handing out of MINT sample catalogs
Workshop x 1 (Kohinata)
・Crafting and Conveying Emotion
3. Panel Talks
・Global Manga (Katsushika Keita in conversation with French and manga artists)
・The MINT Project (Katsushika Keita and Kohinata Marco on the MINT Project)
Media x 1 (The Columbus Scribbler quarterly free paper)

2. Guest Lecture at The Ohio State University
Date: September 18, 2025
Introducing Alternative Manga 

3. MINT Exhibition Opening
Duration: September 18, 2025–January 18, 2026
Venue: Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), Canzani Atrium
Title: MANGA・マンガ・漫画: Beyond the Mainstream
・Talk Event: “The MINT Exhibit”(Katsushika Keita and Kohinata Marco on the MINT Project)

4. Study Tour of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Katsushika and Kohinata joined a tour of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum—part of the Ohio State University and the largest of its kind in the United States. Guided by a curator, they viewed rare original art from both Japanese manga and American comics.

Advisors: Debora Aoki, Christopher Woodrow-Butcher, Suzuki “CJ” Shige, Odagiri Hiroshi, Iwashita Hosei
Content: Meetings regarding participation in events in New York and at TCAF in Toronto.

Surveys requested from all the participants of the NYC – Toronto trip.

Individual meetings will be held to reflect on the experiences in NYC and Toronto and discuss their future prospects.

Location: TBD
Contents: General MINT activities and project results

Contents: A final survey will be sent to each participant of the MINT Project, asking them about their experience and future prospects.

Event Schedule
“Drawing Connections: The Art of Manga in Japan and North America”
Speakers: Battan, Nobuto Sumire, Lydia Nguyen (Kana Abrams editor), Kristiina Korpus (Kana Abrams editor)
Date: May 29
Venue: Society of Illustrators

The Cursed Body Book Launch & Signing with Author Tokushige Kawakatsu
Kawakatsu Tokushige, Emily Yoshimoto
Date: May 29
Venue: Desert Island
Scholastic Corporation Visit & MeetingDate: June 1

Kodansha USA Visit & MeetingDate: June 1

“Illness in Illustration: Graphic Medicine in Japan and North America”
Speakers: Onmae Moka, Kosaka Tsubasa, Gianna Paniagua (Graphic Medicine Comics Artist), Kriota Willberg (Graphic Medicine Comics Artist /Moderator)
Date: June 1
Venue: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library

Columbia University Library Visit & MeetingDate: June 2

Center for Book Arts VisitDate: June 2
“Alternative Manga: Yesterday and Today”
Speakers: Tokushige Kawakatsu, Emily Yoshimoto, Kondoh Akino (Manga Artist/Artist), Ryan Holmberg (Translator/Manga Historian/Moderator)
Date: June 2
Venue: School of Visual Arts

Event Schedule

Alterative Manga Showcase and Reception
Date: June 4
Venue: The Japan Foundation, Toronto

Event Schedule

Libraries and Education Day
“Opening Panel: Comics Preservation”
Speakers: Emily Yoshimoto, Mara Thacker (University of Illinois/Librarian), Megan Halsband (Library of Congress), Amie Wright (TCAF Executive Director/Moderator)
Date: June 5
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections

“Spotlight on MINT Manga”
Speakers: Yamaguchi Yuki, Inoue Kirin, Adam Jimenez (MINT Project Coordinator), Jocelyne Allen (Translator/ Interpreter), Deb Aoki (MINT Advisor/Moderator)

“Graphic Medicine Without Borders”
Speakers: Onmae Moka, Tsubasa Kosaka, Joana Mosi (Graphic Novel Artist), Maureen Burdock (Graphic Novel Artist), Arizona O’Neill (Illustrator), Veronica Post (Graphic Novel Artist), Shelley Wall (University of Toronto Mississauga Professor/Moderator)

Word Balloon Academy
“Crafting and Conveying Emotion: Illustrating the Feelings of Characters”
Workshop Presenter: Kohinata Marco
Date: June 5
Venue: Catalyst Space (80 Gould Street)

Special Event
“TCAF 2026 Kick-Off Panel: 20 Years of TCAF”
Speakers: Battan, Chris W. Kim (Illustrator/Comic Artist), Jenn Woodall (Illustrator/Comic Artist), Mauvice Vellekoop (Illustrator/Comic Artist), Amie Wright (TCAF Executive Director/Moderator)
Date: June 5
Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre, Jet Ice Lounge

TCAF
“Dangerous Cartooning: Politics & the Personal in a Perilous Age”
Speakers: Kawakatsu Tokushige, Nick Maandag, Chad Anderson, Megan Kearney, Ho Che Anderson (Moderator)
Date: June 6
Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre, The Bunker

“Alternative Manga with the MINT Project”
Speakers: Battan, Kohinata Marco, Deb Aoki (Moderator)
Date: June 6
Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre, Jet Ice Lounge

Official TCAF 2026 Poster Signing
Participant: Battan
Date: June 6
Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre

“A Drop of Colour on a White Page: Being "the Other" in Comics”
Speakers: Keita Katsushika, Zeta Paul, Shreya Davies, Nehal El-Hadi (Moderator)
Date: June 6
Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre, The Bunker

“The Comic Book Gig Economy”
Speakers: Katsushika Keita, Inoue Kirin, Ryan North, Hugo Canuto, Ho Che Anderson (Moderator)
Date: June 7
Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre, The Bunker

Portfolio Review
Participants: Inoue Kirin, Yamaguchi Yuki
Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre

“Biopics on Bristol: The World of Biographical & Autobiographical Comics”
Speakers: Emily Yoshimoto, Arizona O'Neill, Cole Degenstein, Maureen Burdock, Megan Halsband (Moderator)
Date: June 7
Venue: Mattamy Athletic Centre, The Bunker

*TCAF 2026 Official Poster Design by Battan
*The Golden Fly by Battan published in English by BD Press and sold at TCAF
*Networking with fellow comics artists and publishing industry

To be announced