Naples: The 2025 Napoli Comicon in Italy is showcasing over 30 Taiwanese comic book titles, featuring live drawing and signing events by two renowned Taiwanese artists. The Taiwan Pavilion has become a focal point for comic book enthusiasts eager to experience the unique artistry of Taiwan.
According to Focus Taiwan, the showcase is a collaborative effort between the Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office (TRO) in Italy and Locus Publishing, as stated by the Ministry of Culture (MOC). Key figures such as Napoli Comicon President Claudio Curcio, Toshokan Director-General Matteo Bonno, and Vincent Y. C. Tsai, Taiwan’s Representative to Italy, visited the Taiwan Pavilion on the event’s opening day.
Curcio expressed his hope for Taiwan’s continued participation in future events, highlighting the opportunity for Italian comic readers to explore alternatives to Japanese manga and enhance the exhibition’s diversity. The MOC noted that among the 30-plus titles presented, some have been translated into Italian, while others are available in English or other languages, with a few remaining in their original Chinese.
Despite language differences, Italian visitors showed strong support for the Taiwanese works. Many purchased non-Italian editions to have them signed and illustrated live by the artists, according to Chien Chia-cheng, who, alongside fellow Taiwanese comic artist Yuzu, participated in the event. Chien mentioned that local visitors were driven by their appreciation for the themes and artistic styles, which encouraged them to purchase comics even without Italian translations.
The pavilion also hosted an exhibition of selected frames from Taiwanese comic books, as noted by the MOC. The TRO Cultural Division reported that while they have participated in Lucca Comics and Games over the past three years, this marks their first presence at Napoli Comicon in southern Italy. The division emphasized that such events help introduce Taiwanese intellectual properties to a broader Italian audience, with plans to continue promoting Taiwanese comic books, children’s books, and picture books in Italy.
The Napoli Comicon, which commenced on May 1, is set to conclude on Sunday.