TCAF 2026: Toronto Comic Arts Festival Hosts Five Prominent Manga Artists
One of North America's most prestigious comic book events, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF), has announced an exciting guest list for 2026. The festival, which will take place on June 6-7 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre of Toronto Metropolitan University, will feature five prominent names from Japan's both mainstream and independent manga scenes. This year's event will see Battan, Keita Katsushika, Marco Kohinata, Tokushige Kawakatsu, and Moka Onmae meet their fans and participate in panels and signing events.
Among the guests, Battan has a large international fan base for the series Run Away with Me, Girl (Kakeochi Girl), known for its emotional depth and impressive storytelling. The artist's works receive full marks from critics for the way they address modern relationships and societal expectations. Another important guest, Marco Kohinata, is known for The Summer of You (Kimi to Natsu no Naka), one of the beloved examples of the Boys' Love (BL) genre. This diversity proves once again the importance TCAF places not only on commercial success but also on artistic and cross-genre richness.
The other guests of the festival represent the more alternative and artistic side of the manga world. Keita Katsushika will attend the festival with his work The Great Beyond, which stands out for its detailed architectural drawings and atmospheric stories, while Tokushige Kawakatsu is a name known for works such as Tokyo Goodbye. Moka Onmae draws attention with original works such as The Life of a Bee. Since its founding in 2003, TCAF has made a great contribution to the development of manga culture outside of Japan by hosting giant names such as Taiyo Matsumoto and Inio Asano.
For manga lovers, this festival offers a unique opportunity to communicate directly with artists and learn about the creative process behind their works. TCAF, where independent publishing and alternative narratives are at the forefront, promises a more intimate atmosphere unlike mainstream fairs. It is expected that the artists' special illustration works and limited-edition products will also be available for sale at the event in June. If you have the chance to be in Toronto on these dates, we recommend that you do not miss this cultural feast.
