The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2020
Saturday May 9th, 9am-5pm, and Sunday May 10th, 10am-5pm
@ Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, Canada
@ The Concert Hall, 888 Yonge Street, Toronto, Canada
Free To Attend | www.torontocomics.com
PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR EVENT LISTINGS

is thrilled to announce that acclaimed Japanese manga author Kamome Shirahama,
creator of the series Witch Hat Atelier, will participate
in the 2020 Festival as a Featured Guest.
In addition to the hit manga series, published by Kodansha Comics, Shirahama is also widely known for her work on popular Marvel and DC Comics series including Wonder Woman, Star Wars, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, and Doctor Strange among many others. She will attend TCAF with a robust participation in the festival, including the English-language debut of Witch Hat Atelier Volume 6.

“Put simply, Kamome Shirahama’s art is impeccable,” said TCAF Artistic Director Christopher Butcher. “It’s no wonder that Shirahama-sensei became familiar to North American fans through her superhero comics work long before her manga was translated into English. That said, the Witch Hat Atelier manga series is such incredibly charming, deeply resonant work about the magic of art and illustration, and it’s found very deserved success amongst readers of all ages in both Japan and North America. We’re so lucky to have her as a part of TCAF this year!”
While Kamome Shirahama’s full schedule for TCAF is yet to be revealed, fans can expect a live-drawing session, a feature interview, autograph sessions, and more. TCAF has also partnered with Kodansha Comics and the author to present a gallery showing of Shirahama-sensei’s work, to be exhibited at and in partnership with The Japan Foundation Toronto, for the month of May! Details on dates, times, and availability will be announced mid-March.
Kamome Shirahama’s work is available for purchase now at Page & Panel: The TCAF Shop, located in Toronto Reference Library, and at the Festival’s Premiere Sponsor and official bookseller The Beguiling Books & Art, 319 College Street. Books will also be available at multiple booths at TCAF itself.
TCAF would like to thank Kodansha Comics for their support in helping to bring Kamome Shirahama to North America.
Kamome Shirahama will join more than 350 exhibiting creators and publishers for The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2019, with many more guests still to be announced! Visit TCAF online for up-to-the-minute updates!
Website: www.torontocomics.com
Twitter: @TorontoComics
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TorontoComics
Tumblr: torontocomics.tumblr.com
MEDIA
Please include in your listings: TCAF 2020. Saturday May 9, 9a-5p, and Sunday May 10, 10a-5p, at Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, and the surrounding neighbourhood. Attendence is free. Some events with Kamome Shirahama will require tickets, info TBA. More info at torontocomics.com.
Select Guest Bios and Images available upon request. Please send all inquiries to media@torontocomics.com.
ABOUT KAMOME SHIRAHAMA
Kamome Shirahama is the author of the smash hit manga series Witch Hat Atelier, serialized beginning in 2016 and published in English and Japanese by Kodansha. A graduate of the design department of the Tokyo University of the Arts, Shirahama lives in Tokyo, Japan.
As a freelance illustrator, Shirahama has created numerous cover illustrations for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, including Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Star Wars: The last Jedi, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, and Wonder Woman, among many others. Before beginning Witch Hat Atelier, Shirahama created the manga series Divines: Eniale & Dewiela, which has been published in French by Pika Édition.
ABOUT TCAF
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival would not be possible without the assistance of our sponsors and partners, including presenting sponsor Toronto Public Library and primary sponsor The Beguiling Books & Art.
TCAF is produced with the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.
We would also like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. / Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien.
Seneca College is a proud Sponsor of TCAF 2020.
TCAF would like to thank Festival sponsor Kodansha Comics for their support in arranging Kamome Shirahama’s trip to Canada.