A unique anime expo will be held in Kyoto on Sept. 15 and 16, featuring events to exhibit manga and anime creations, and help would-be manga artists from around the world, as well as stage shows with popular voice actors.
 
A variety of animation and manga works will be available to explore in sales and promotional booths, including those set up by anime production firms, at Miyako Messe in Sakyo Ward, the main venue of the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair in the ancient Japanese capital.
 
Creations inspired by Kyoto, such as the popular mystery "Kyoto Teramachi Sanjo no Holmes," will be introduced and traditional Japanese goods featuring manga characters will be sold at the venue.
 
The event, called Kyomaf for short, will also offer opportunities to manga artist wannabes to directly show their work to editors from publishing firms on Sept. 15.
 
The fair, which solicits entry manga works from home and abroad by those aspiring to make professional debuts in Japan, will hold an award ceremony the following day for Kyoto International Manga Award winners.
 
The organizers will host a career fair to introduce animation and gaming firms based in Kyoto.
 
At Rohm Theatre Kyoto, stage shows with popular voice actors among other participants and orchestra performances of music from the Super Mario Bros. game series, developed by the Kyoto-based Nintendo Co., will take place throughout the two-day fair.
 
The Kyoto International Manga Museum will also host related promotional events, including an exhibition of original drawings of "Peace Maker Kurogane", a popular manga that was turned into movie that will run through Nov. 6.
 
The entrance fee varies depending on venue, with advance tickets for Miyako Messe costing 1,200 yen and day-of-performance tickets priced at 1,500 yen.
 
"We are aiming to enhance opportunities for content businesses from Kyoto," said Kyoto Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa at a press conference at Kitano Tenmangu shrine in Kyoto's Kamigyo Ward.