On April 11 and 12, the Manga Truck, a mobile manga library, was showcased at the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival held in San Francisco, United States.■ About the Northern California Cherry Blossom FestivalThe Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is one of California’s leading celebrations of Japanese and Japanese American culture. Since its establishment in 1968, the festival has served as an important cultural bridge, promoting exchange, understanding, and connection between Japan and the United States. Drawing more than 220,000 visitors annually, this major San Francisco event highlights the elegance and vibrancy of Japanese culture, while celebrating the rich heritage and diversity of the Japanese American community.■ About the Manga Truck ShowcaseThe Manga Truck is a mobile manga library launched in 2024 with the mission of making manga more accessible and sharing its appeal with new audiences around the world. Since its debut at Stanford University in May 2024, the Manga Truck has traveled to a wide range of locations, including manga and anime events, cultural institutions, and commercial spaces.For this showcase, the Manga Truck was stocked with a carefully curated collection of more than 300 manga volumes, giving festival attendees the opportunity to pick up a book and experience manga firsthand.Despite the rainy weather, the Manga Truck welcomed more than 600 visitors over the two-day event, with many attendees spending time reading and enjoying manga on the spot.In addition to the books, shikishi (autograph boards) from manga artists and related merchandise were also on display. Dedicated manga fans were especially drawn to these items, creating a sense of excitement and connection unique to in-person events.Furthermore, the Manga Truck was featured in livestreams on YouTube and Twitch by VTubers and influencers, helping bring the experience to audiences beyond those who attended in person.Through the Manga Truck, the showcase offered an approachable and engaging way for both longtime manga fans and casual visitors to discover the appeal and accessibility of manga.We will continue to use the Manga Truck to create new opportunities for people to discover, experience, and engage with manga in a variety of settings, helping further expand the reach of manga culture around the world.Check out the Manga Truck featured on Raki Kazuki Ch.'s YouTube channel (from 1:06:45):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MKbJxP8eUMLearn more about the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival at the link below:Official Websitehttps://sfcherryblossom.org/