Sat Jun 20 2026

1:00 PM (Doors 12:30 PM)

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre

6 Sakura Way Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre

6 Sakura Way Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5

All Ages

Share With Friends

Share
Share

From the moment Akiko discovers manga as a child, she dreams of becoming a manga artist. Confident that talent and ambition will carry her forward, she enrolls in an art class expecting an easy path to success. Instead, Akiko finds herself under the watchful eye of Hidaka, an eccentric, bamboo-sword-wielding art instructor devoted to classical painting and unimpressed by manga. Intimidated but challenged, Akiko must learn to trust her own voice and fight for the future she wants.

Adapted from Akiko Higashimura’s autobiographical manga, the film is a funny and sharply observed coming-of-age story about mentorship, friendship, and creative awakening. Layered performances and a witty script help balance a reverence for fine art traditions with the exuberance of manga culture.

Starring
Mei Nagano, Yo Oizumi, Ai Mikami

©Akiko Higashimura/SHUEISHA
©2025 FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK，INC./ Warner Bros./ S・D・P/ HIGASHIMURA PRODUCTION All rights reserved

*No exchange or refund.
​*Membership will be checked at the JCCC.

Net Capacity: 500

BLANK CANVAS: MY SO-CALLED ARTIST'S JOURNEY | Toronto Premiere | Toronto Japanese Film Festival

  • On sale soon
  • Wed May 13 2026
  • 10:00AM EDT

  • TORONTO JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL

    Film

    The Toronto Japanese Film Festival (TorontoJFF) showcases the finest Japanese films that have been recognized for excellence by Japanese audiences and critics, international film festival audiences, and the Japanese Film Academy.

BLANK CANVAS: MY SO-CALLED ARTIST'S JOURNEY | Toronto Premiere | Toronto Japanese Film Festival

Sat Jun 20 2026 1:00 PM

(Doors 12:30 PM)

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Toronto ON
  • On sale soon
  • Wed May 13 2026
  • 10:00AM EDT

All Ages

From the moment Akiko discovers manga as a child, she dreams of becoming a manga artist. Confident that talent and ambition will carry her forward, she enrolls in an art class expecting an easy path to success. Instead, Akiko finds herself under the watchful eye of Hidaka, an eccentric, bamboo-sword-wielding art instructor devoted to classical painting and unimpressed by manga. Intimidated but challenged, Akiko must learn to trust her own voice and fight for the future she wants.

Adapted from Akiko Higashimura’s autobiographical manga, the film is a funny and sharply observed coming-of-age story about mentorship, friendship, and creative awakening. Layered performances and a witty script help balance a reverence for fine art traditions with the exuberance of manga culture.

Starring
Mei Nagano, Yo Oizumi, Ai Mikami

©Akiko Higashimura/SHUEISHA
©2025 FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK，INC./ Warner Bros./ S・D・P/ HIGASHIMURA PRODUCTION All rights reserved

*No exchange or refund.
​*Membership will be checked at the JCCC.

Net Capacity: 500

TORONTO JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL

Film

The Toronto Japanese Film Festival (TorontoJFF) showcases the finest Japanese films that have been recognized for excellence by Japanese audiences and critics, international film festival audiences, and the Japanese Film Academy.