Organised by Sharjah Book Authority, the 3rd Sharjah Animation Conference featured an exclusive workshop with Japanese legend Ai Ikegaya, creator of ‘Stick It on Around! Koinu’

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

Renowned Japanese animation director Ai Ikegaya captured the imagination of the audience during a workshop titled “Behind the Scenes of ‘Stick It on Around! Koinu’: The Creative Process Behind Drawing & Animating the Characters,” at the Sharjah Animation Conference 2025. Breaking from convention, Ikegaya opened the session by asking the audience, “What would you hope to learn from this workshop?”; a gesture that set the tone for an intimate, interactive deep dive into her whimsical world of anthropomorphic dogs and workplace absurdity.

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

Japanese director Nobuyoshi Habara shared highlights from his personal and professional journey, alongside insights into the creative experiences he and his wife, director Kumiko Habara, have had in the world of animation.

At a Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) 2025 discussion titled “Inside the Making of the Anime Hit, Starblazers”, he recalled developing a passion for anime from a young age and creating his first animated film during high school with the help of friends from other schools. The 30-minute film, consisting of 1,000 images, was completed over three years and showcased at a school arts festival.

The animation power couple, Kazuko Tadano & Hiromi Matsushita reflects on 30 Years of creative battles, timeless designs & the ‘magic in the madness’

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

Within a packed auditorium at the 3rd edition of the Sharjah Animation Conference, legendary character designers and animation directors, Kazuko Tadano and Hiromi Matsushita took the stage. The duo, married for over three decades and collaborators on iconic franchises, shared heartfelt stories, creative struggles, and behind-the-scenes secrets in a talk titled “Sailor Moon & Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Emotional Journey of Creating Two Anime Icons.”

Session at Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival led by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children takes young students through a heartwarming story that teaches values of self-worth, diversity, and embracing differences

Sharjah, May 3, 2025

A simple pencil took centre stage at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) 2025, as children gathered to listen to a powerful tale of self-discovery, difference, and acceptance.

Young creatives learn the fundamentals of the beloved Japanese illustration style, shaping characters that reflect their moods and personalities at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 

Sharjah, May 3, 2025 

In the Comic Corner of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025), imagination took centre stage as children turned blank pages into expressive Manga characters, exploring one of most iconic art forms. 

Hosted by SkillDeer, on Wednesday the Manga Drawing workshop welcomed children aged eight and above to dive into the dynamic world of Manga — learning the fundamentals of this beloved illustration style that originated in Japan but now boasts a global fanbase. Over the course of 30 minutes, participants received step-by-step guidance and all the tools needed to let their creativity soar.