“Gene of Creativity” Manga and Technology Seminar
2026/4/7
Welcome remarks from Consul General Otsuki
Keynote conversation with manga author Kyuri Yamada (right)
On Friday, March 27, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, in partnership with the Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC), Orange Inc., and Digital Garage, held a seminar exploring the intersect of innovation and Japanese pop culture entitled “Gene of Creativity: Mapping the Future of Manga and Technology” at Digital Garages’ location in San Francisco. Consul General Kotaro Otsuki gave opening remarks sharing Manga’s significance in Japan and rising popularity abroad, and expressed optimism that the manga industry would be able to incorporate new innovations and technology across a wide range of uses.
The Program featured a keynote conversation with manga author Kyuri Yamada who shared his personal experience as a technology journalist and how it has affected the creation of his signature work “The Gene of AI”, which envisions a future world where artificial intelligence has been fully incorporated into society.
Two panel discussions were also held. The first covered manga’s growth in North America and beyond, and featured Mr. Alvin Lu, President and CEO of Kodansha USA Publishing; Mr. Andy Nakatani, Senior Director for Online Manga at Viz Media; and Mr. Shingo Nozaki, Texas Regional Manager for Kinokuniya Book Stores of America Co., Ltd.
The second panel looked at the impact and uses of artificial intelligence technology within the manga industry and featured Mr. Albert Webson, Research Scientist for Anthropic and Mr. Shoko Ugaki, CEO and Founder of Orange, and moderated by Mr. Minh Do, Co-Founder and CEO of Machine Cinema.
Closing remarks were presented by Mr. Kengo Naito, Vice President of Digital Garage and Mr. Steve Pollock, President of the Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC).
Following the program, attendees were able to discuss the program and their ideas with panelists and each other during while networking.
Photos by Hiro Sogi
The Program featured a keynote conversation with manga author Kyuri Yamada who shared his personal experience as a technology journalist and how it has affected the creation of his signature work “The Gene of AI”, which envisions a future world where artificial intelligence has been fully incorporated into society.
Two panel discussions were also held. The first covered manga’s growth in North America and beyond, and featured Mr. Alvin Lu, President and CEO of Kodansha USA Publishing; Mr. Andy Nakatani, Senior Director for Online Manga at Viz Media; and Mr. Shingo Nozaki, Texas Regional Manager for Kinokuniya Book Stores of America Co., Ltd.
The second panel looked at the impact and uses of artificial intelligence technology within the manga industry and featured Mr. Albert Webson, Research Scientist for Anthropic and Mr. Shoko Ugaki, CEO and Founder of Orange, and moderated by Mr. Minh Do, Co-Founder and CEO of Machine Cinema.
Closing remarks were presented by Mr. Kengo Naito, Vice President of Digital Garage and Mr. Steve Pollock, President of the Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC).
Following the program, attendees were able to discuss the program and their ideas with panelists and each other during while networking.
Photos by Hiro Sogi
Panel 1 on growth of manga industry
Panel 2 on new technologies and manga
Closing remarks by Mr. Naito and Mr. Pollock
Group Photo of speakers and panelists
