Another event I’m looking forward to at this year’s Nihongo Fiesta is an exhibit by award-winning manga-style comic book illustrator Kriss Sison.

Following in the footsteps of CULTURE CRASH’s Elmer Damaso — who won a special citation in the First International Manga Awards, Kriss won one of the top spots in the Second International Manga Awards held last May 2008. He also did Elmer one better by bagging the Bronze Award for his art work on Ninja Girl Ko!

Ninja Girl Ko! is a comic about a normal boy who suddenly finds himself owning a ninja servant girl. The story is by local cult favorite Marco Dimaano, who is known for his previous work Angel Ace and K.I.A.

Both Marco and Kriss have been working on this comic — which appears on local zine MANGAHOLIX — for some time now. It’s great that creative, talented people like Marco and Kriss get international recognition for the quality of their work, and I look forward to seeing more of their collaborative efforts soon.

The 2009 Nihongo Fiesta is co-organized by The Japan Foundation Manila and SM Mall of Asia. Various events will be held at the mall on the 28th of February until the 1st of March. Admission is absolutely free so see you there!