Celebrating Japanese Bl Through Sinta: Queer Stories Across Asia
Comics creators, publishers, and readers alike are invited to celebrate comics from the Philippines and around the world at the Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) 2026. Now in its seventh year, the festival features a vibrant comics market showcasing Filipino and international creators and publishers, masterclasses by leading comics professionals, exhibitions, and a diverse lineup of activities for audiences of all ages.
This year, Japan takes center stage as PICOF 2026’s Country of Highlight. As part of this celebration, PICOF presents SINTA (Beloved): Queer Stories Across Asia, an international comics exhibition co-organized by The Japan Foundation, Manila, and BLushCon that celebrates queer storytelling across Japan and Southeast Asia. Running from July 3-12, 2026, at Ayala Malls The 30th, Pasig City, the exhibition brings together creators whose works explore intimacy, identity, memory, and belonging through comics.
Some of the featured artists include Japanese manga creators Masaomi Ito and Ayu Yamane, alongside antarcticbear (Vietnam), Isha Wang(Singapore), Kayraa (Indonesia), Everwetscent/Sal (Thailand), blue(Burma), Scottyiscringe (Vietnam), Tagasaing (Philippines), and Tsambolero(Philippines).
Together, these creators demonstrate the richness and diversity of contemporary queer comics practices in Asia, highlighting how stories of love, identity, and human connection transcend borders and resonate with readers across cultures.
70 Years of Philippines-Japan Friendship
Held within the framework of the 2026 Japan–Philippines Friendship Year under the theme “Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, and Possibilities,” the project contributes to ongoing cultural exchange efforts between the two countries. Through exhibitions, discussions, and artistic engagement, SINTA seeks to deepen connections between Filipino and Japanese communities while fostering appreciation for contemporary comics and queer storytelling among diverse audiences.
This project is implemented as part of the Next Generation Co-Creation Partnership – WA 2.0, a comprehensive people-to-people exchange initiative aimed at promoting exchanges and nurturing the next generation of leaders between Japan and ASEAN.
SINTA Masterclasses at PICOF 2026
SINTA extends beyond the exhibition through a series of masterclasses and artist panels at PICOF 2026 exploring Japanese comics, queer storytelling, and contemporary comics practice.
On July 11, Dr. Kristine Michelle Santos presents Making BL Comics: BL Literacies from Japan and its Transformations in Southeast Asia, examining the development of Boys’ Love from its origins in Japan to its growing influence across the region.
Japanese manga artist Masaomi Ito will lead Becoming a Professional Manga Artist in Japan: Authentic Storytelling, Techniques, and the Manga Industry, offering insights into the realities of manga creation and publishing in Japan.
Filipino creator Tagasaing will present Build a Solid One-Shot, a practical session focused on crafting compelling short comics through structure, pacing, and visual storytelling.
Independent Vietnamese creator, antarcticbear, of the global hit Adding You To My Cart, will have an artist talk exploring their journey in digital comics, the art of crafting slow-burn, slice-of-life romances, and how they navigate regional landscapes to bring authentic, comforting LGBTQ narratives to millions of readers worldwide.
And lastly, the creators of the Sinta exhibition will share the profound, transnational ties between Southeast Asian narratives and Japanese queer comics in a group artist panel that dives into how these cross-cultural dialogues inspire romances that flourish outside normative conventions, weaving the softest comforts of the everyday and the grandest romantic fantasies into a bold, collective landscape—all in the name of their beloved.
SUPPORT FILIPINO KOMIKS
For nearly a century, Filipino komiks have inspired readers and creators around the world. PICOF continues this tradition by creating a space where stories, art, and communities can thrive.
The Philippine International Comics Festival 2026 will be held on July 10-12, 2026, at Ayala Malls The 30th, Pasig City. Join us and celebrate the creativity, diversity, and future of comics. Admission is FREE.
ABOUT KOMIKET
Komiket is a non-profit organization that advocates for Filipino komiks by organizing comics art markets, the Philippine International Comics Festival, and teaching annual Comic Book Creator’s Workshops.
ABOUT PICOF
The Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) is Komiket’s flagship international comics event, bringing together creators, creatives, publishers, scholars, and readers through exhibitions, talks, and cultural exchange programs. It is the only comics festival in the world with an Official Selection of ten graphic novel pitches per batch, which are developed in a Creator’s Lab, and published in time for the festival. The festival consists of a comics market, masterclasses, exhibits, and a program of on-stage activities.
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