The Canarias Manga Festival has successfully wrapped up its latest edition, showcasing a vibrant array of activities and drawing between 10,000 and 11,000 attendees from 23 to 25 October. The event transformed the centre of Puerto del Rosario into a hub for enthusiasts of manga, anime, video games, and Asian culture.
Over three days, key venues such as Plaza de La Paz, Plaza Nuestra Señora del Rosario, and Pabellón Oasis hosted 154 activities and 287 hours of programming, featuring 25 special guests. The festival offered free access to a diverse range of events designed for all audiences.
According to the organisers, the festival generated an impressive economic impact of nearly €800,000, highlighting its ability to attract visitors, stimulate commercial activity, and position the island as a prime location for major cultural and entertainment events.
Star-studded line-up and diverse activities
This year's festival featured prominent figures from film, comedy, voice acting, and content creation, including Santiago Segura, Florentino Fernández, and Claudio Serrano. The line-up allowed attendees to engage in meet-and-greet sessions, talks, and special activities.
Additional guests included local talents such as Luis Posada, Laura Pastor, and filmmaker Adrián Tejero, enriching the festival's programming with a blend of national and local creators.
The festival also hosted a variety of competitions, including cosplay contests, video game tournaments, wrestling exhibitions, martial arts demonstrations, musical performances, and activities celebrating Japanese culture and culinary arts.
Commercial and artistic engagement
The commercial aspect of the festival was significant, featuring 48 exhibitors, primarily from other islands in the Canary archipelago. This included 15 specialised merchandise shops, 30 artists in the Artist Alley, and three food trucks, offering a mix of products related to manga, anime, and video games, alongside independent art and cuisine.
The participation of exhibitors from various parts of the Canary Islands enhanced the regional dimension of the event, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and professionals in the creative industries.
Technological innovations and visitor experience
This edition also marked a step forward in technology and visitor engagement with the launch of the official Canarias Manga Festival app. This tool allowed attendees to access the programme, navigate the event spaces with an interactive map, and receive notifications about activities, streamlining their festival experience.
One notable feature was the 'Caza de Pollitos' (Chick Hunt), an augmented reality game that encouraged attendees to explore the festival grounds to find virtual characters and exchange them for prizes. This initiative saw nearly 2,000 virtual chicks captured, adding an interactive element to the event.
The festival's digital presence was also strong, with the official website recording over 21,900 page views over the weekend, demonstrating the widespread interest in the programming and the event's reach beyond the physical venues.
As the Canarias Manga Festival concludes this particularly successful edition, it has proven its ability to engage a wide audience, combining entertainment, culture, creativity, technology, and participation. The festival has evolved from a niche gathering into a broad leisure offering that attracts fans, families, and new audiences alike.
The Canarias Manga Festival Fuerteventura is produced by Zukoabega Producciones, sponsored by the Cabildo de Fuerteventura through the Department of New Technologies, and the Town Hall of Puerto del Rosario, with funding from the Government of the Canary Islands. The event also received support from Excalibur Factory, Coca-Cola, Fuze Tea, Royal Bliss, Hyundai, and Las Rotondas Shopping Centre.
