Last Monday, the Resources Centre in collaboration with the Japanese department hosted a Manga Madness Festival in the College library. The festival was a big success with staff, students and special guests all having a wonderful afternoon, while celebrating the manga tradition and all things Japanese.
We welcomed over 50 Year 6 students from Villa Maria Primary School to help us celebrate this event with our Year 8 Japanese elective students. The festival was a huge success with staff, students and special guests all having a wonderful afternoon celebrating Japanese culture and the manga tradition.
Mrs Xouris spoke to the students about the importance of manga in Japanese culture and its long and complex history in early Japanese art. The students were treated to manga drawing lessons conducted by manga artist and author, Matthew Lin, as well as origami and calligraphy lessons. The students also participated in Cosplay, and enjoyed dressing up in a range of character costumes from Mrs Xouris’ extensive collection. Derived from the phrase “costume play”, cosplay has become a very popular pastime amongst teenagers and young adults in Japan and this tradition is spreading worldwide.
Matthew Lin also ran advanced Manga drawing lessons after school, which was attended by many Year 7 and 8 students.
This annual event aims to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of Japanese traditions and culture and judging from the enthusiasm by staff and students, it most certainly fulfilled its brief.
The boys were invited to enter a manga drawing competition, which was judged by our visiting artist. Matthew Lin was impressed by the standard of art work created by our boys and awarded prizes to the following boys:
Rumtin Abediasl
Jack Cullen
Tristen Seeto
