Manga to Marvel: Comic Store at SCRF 2025 captivates the young and the young at heart

The store at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival is a frequent haunt for grown-ups too, who revel in buying anime- and manga-inspired merchandise and grow nostalgic at the sight of reprints of series they once read growing up

Sharjah, April 30, 2025

Inside the Comic Store at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025), the world dissolves into ink and colour, with aisles lined not only with graphic novels and manga but also with eclectic merchandise.

“This is our second year at the festival and we are loving it. There is a good demand for comics here, with children as young as eight asking for particular titles,” said Denecia-Ann at Deep Shelves bookstore kiosk, adjusting a carefully stacked pile of classic Marvel editions. “It’s wonderful to see so many children—some even in costume—discovering stories”.

This year, the Comic Store is a bustling souk of imagination, featuring a diverse mix of local, regional, and international comics, manga, graphic novels, collectibles, and merchandise. The kiosks are as varied as the genres on display: from the superhero epics of DC and Marvel to Japanese manga and manga-themed merchandise.

At Deep Shelves kiosk, Bowie Barnette introduces a group of children to popular comics translated into Arabic. “There’s a growing demand for Arabic content and we are the exclusive publishers of many comics in the region. It’s a delight to see young children picking up titles that I too have enjoyed reading.”

“The sales have been fantastic so far. My Hero Academia has been the most asked for so far, and One Piece. Demon Slayer is also in demand, but we do not have it. The Absolute Universe series, priced at just Dh10, are among the most popular buys,” added Bowie.

For the festival’s young visitors, the Comic Store is a treasure trove. Nine-year-old Abdul Rehman, clutching a newly acquired manga, could barely contain his excitement. “I love coming here. I watch anime and I read manga.”

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Adam Haitam excitedly reached out to grab a red and black katana and a Spiderman mask. “This katana belongs to Zoro. I watched his anime. He is strong, just like me.”

This part of the Comic Store, manned by Mohammed Jamal, is brimming with anime-inspired merchandise. “Children love visiting this section of the festival. I have to replenish my stocks frequently because of the strong demand,” said the owner of UAE Anime Store.

Another part of the Comic Store is selling Anime-inspired tote bags, socks, badges, tee shirts, and more.

Meanwhile, parents also circle the aisles—some reliving their own childhood passions, others on the hunt for wholesome graphic fiction for their children. “Comics can be a powerful tool for reluctant readers,” says Yasmin. “They help with vocabulary, visual literacy, and—most importantly—they make reading fun.”

Comic books, once considered niche or disposable, are enjoying a renaissance, celebrated for their artistry, storytelling, and ability to unite generations.

The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival is much more than a place to buy books. It is a crossroads of cultures, a celebration of the visual narrative, and, for many, the beginning of a lifelong love affair with the world of comics. The 12-day festival is free to attend and ends on May 4.

-ENDS-

Attached Images

1-6) Children exploring the comics store at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025

7) Image of the  Comic Store at  Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025