Wizard Furusato

Wizard Furusato: The Manga Convention That Charms Vendée

Born in January 2025 from the passion of the Nintend'Oz association, the Wizard Furusato festival immediately established itself as the benchmark for Japanese culture on the Vendée coast. From its very first edition, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Goldorak and the 40th anniversary of Super Mario, the event attracted over 1,000 visitors to the Salle de la Baritaudière in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez.

A Rich and Immersive Program

The festival offers a true journey to the heart of Japan with an exceptionally varied program. Visitors can learn Japanese calligraphy, participate in origami workshops, discover the tea ceremony, or try their hand at suminagashi, the ancestral art of paper marbling. Manga fans can enjoy manga drawing workshops led by professional artists.

Cosplay, Video Games, and Concerts

The cosplay contest is one of the weekend's highlights, bringing together enthusiasts in spectacular costumes. Gamers compete in tournaments on Street Fighter 6, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Tekken 8, Mario Kart, and Pokémon. Japanese music concerts, particularly featuring koto (Japanese harp), punctuate the two days.

Prestigious Guests

Each edition hosts distinguished guests: the first edition welcomed Enriqué, the original singer of the French Goldorak theme song in 1978, for a conference and an exclusive concert with Frank Anime'Live. The second edition honored Lydia Cherton, French voice actress for Pokémon and One Piece, as well as illustrators and mangakas.

An Interactive Adventure for the Whole Family

The festival stands out with its fun activities accessible to all ages: a stamp rally throughout the convention to collect gifts, a search for hidden Darumas, live anime dubbing, blind tests about Japan and manga licenses, themed escape games, and photobooths. Admission is free for children under 6 and cosplayers.