No Box Required: Eira Richards on the Limitless World of Manga

“You don't have to think outside the box, because there is no box.” That's how Shropshire-based artist Eira Richards sums up the unique power of Manga. Author of three Manga-style graphic novels and contributor to numerous exhibitions and panel discussions all around the UK, in 2025 Eira also appeared as a guest on BBC Radio 4's flagship arts programme Front Row. Add to that the fact that she's an art teacher with twenty years experience and holds a Masters in Artist Teacher Practice, and it's obvious why the Manga Workshop she is hosting as part of Belle Vue Arts Festival 2026 is set to be a real highlight of this year's programme. The Festival Blog caught up with Eira to find out more about Manga and why it's such a perfect fit for this year's Fantasy theme.

Festival Blog: Hi Eira! Many readers will recognise the Manga style from comic books and anime, but what sets it apart as a medium for story-telling?

Eira: Manga is a combination of art and story-telling: words, sounds and images all in one – together they create the whole and they can't exist without each other. Its style is dynamic and recognisable and it's typically drawn in black and white, which takes the focus away from unnecessary visual detail. What other artistic styles achieve with colour, Manga achieves with line and shading. As an artist, I will often look at something and challenge myself on how I would render it in black and white.

FB: Your two most recent Manga-style graphic novels, The Witch-Hare from 2022 and Between Storms from 2024 incorporate strong fantasy themes, using Manga to re-tell ancient Celtic myths. Should this surprise readers who associate it primarily with ninjas and all-action Japanese adventures?

Eira: Manga is super-flexible! Historically it has covered all sorts of themes and although it originated in Japan, stories set outside Japan were extremely popular there in the 1970s an 80s. As a young person, I was very inspired by Celtic mythology, but I was also a prolific Manga reader. Manga allows me to bring the two together because it has no limitations. It can re-work and adapt existing stories and bring new perspectives to them, but it's still recognisable. It's very liberating.

FB: Tell us about your Belle Vue Arts Festival Workshop. Who is it aimed at?

Eira: It's for children aged seven-plus up to teenagers. But Manga can appeal to all ages, so parents and guardians are welcome to stay and get involved!

FB: What should participants expect?

Eira: My workshops are guided but informal, and very hands-on. Engaging with the fantasy theme, we'll take inspiration from elements of existing graphic novels, such as mythical creatures, but participants' ideas are always centre-stage. I provide all necessary materials, but participants can bring their own if they prefer.

FB: I know that one of your favourite aspects of Manga is the opportunity it offers to build your own world and create an immersive experience. How would you encourage someone who says 'I love that too and I've got loads of ideas, but I'm not good at drawing'?

Eira: Young people are welcome at the workshop regardless of ability. You don't need to draw like anyone else. You can like their work and learn from it, but still draw in your own way. There's no need for loads of detailed background drawing, so a lot can be achieved with relatively little.

You can find out more about Eira, see examples of her work and listen to her Radio 4 interview by visiting her website: https://www.eirarichards.com/