A month of Manga for anyone curious, as well as the avid fan.
Explore the origins of manga in Japan, the creative techniques behind the art and discover the world of Manga-Anime.
We have events, book lists, downloadable activity sheets, Design a Manga Character competition, a local artist exhibition and an exhibition of the Japanese books in our Historic Reference Collection. Use the tabs to browse and keep checking back as we’ll be adding even more content!
Enjoy our free events and activities!
FREE Exhibition exploring the origins of manga in Japan, uncovering the creative techniques behind this art form and discovering the wonder of Manga-Anime. Featuring artwork from incredible creators from Japan. Discover today’s generation of award-winning British talents making manga in their own way as part of a truly global comic language.
Bath Central Library, 10 May – 17 June
Join Japanese Manga artist and illustrator Chie Kutsuwada for a free interactive drawing workshop. This event needs to be booked. Age group: 16 years +
Click here to find out more and book your place
Bath Central Library, Saturday 24 May
Jade, aka Navigator, is a local artist inspired by Manga. She shares her journey to becoming an artist, her process, and some of her favourite pieces.
Here at B&NES Libraries we’re lucky enough to have a historic reference collection with all kinds of books spanning hundreds of years! Here, we show you some of the Japanese books in this collection.
Manga Competition! Have you been inspired by the Make Mine Manga exhibition and activities? To celebrate the Make Mine Manga Exhibition coming to Bath, we want you to create a Manga Character and tell us about them.
Who Can Take Part?
The competition is open to anyone and there are two age categories: 15 years and under, and 16+.
How Do I Take Part?
Download either the PDF or Word template below and create your character! Bring your completed entry into any of our libraries in Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Bath Central or the Mobile Library.
Deadline
The competition runs until 12pm Saturday 21 June 2025. All entries need your name, library card number, (and contact details of your parent or carer, if kids).
How to Enter
Hand your completed form in to Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Bath Central or the Mobile Library.
Guidelines, Terms and Conditions
- All entrants must be Bath and North East Somerset library members.
- Entrants can only submit one entry per person.
- There are two age categories for entries: children aged 15 and under, and one for 16+.
- All entries must be submitted with an entry form and include name, library card number plus contact details (for children this will be a parent/carer).
- All entries must be submitted by 12pm on Saturday 21 June.
- Entries will only be accepted if physically handed in to Bath Central Library, Midsomer Norton Library & Information Service, Keynsham Library & Information Service or the Mobile Library. Scanned copies will not be accepted. If you are unable to access a library please contact us at library_events@bathnes.gov.uk to arrange collection.
- The winner(s) will be selected by a panel of judges
- The judge’s decision is final. Feedback will not be available.
- Prizes include weekend passes to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival*, a signed copy of 10 Step Drawing: Manga by Chie Kutsuwada and goodies from American Dream Comics. *Please be aware, tickets for under 12s Little LICAF need to be purchased separately.
- The Library Service will not be able to return drawings.
- Winners will be announced in Summer 2025.
- The Library Service has the right to display and use entries in any way we see fit.
There will be 20 special books in Bath Central Library, on loan from Make Mine Manga. Click here to find out about the whole collection (please ask in Bath Central Library for an accessible printed version).
Browse the booklists below to reserve books from our catalogue.
Book List: Learn to Draw Manga
Book List: Manga Series for Kids
We have a whole host of activity sheets for you to download, courtesy of Make Mine Manga!
