IT WAS a chance for young people to step inside the world of Japanese comics and animated films at a series of “behind the scenes” workshops.

The Bexley Anime and Manga Festival has attracted almost a full house to all of its events.

Last week a series of workshops ran alongside film screenings at Bexleyheath’s Cineworld, at which young people could learn the techniques of the manga style of comic illustration from an experienced artist and about the costumes and character role play.

Artists Emma Vieceli and Sonia Leong, who took the four art workshops, are the most popular manga artists in the UK.

They took the young people through their paces and there were prizes from Letraset for the best drawings produced on the day.

The cosplay workshop, a feature of all the major manga and anime conventions, attracted more than 80 young people.

They learned how to create their own costumes and props and then try some role play as their favourite characters.

The month-long festival is almost over, but there are a limited number of tickets left for the festival finale - a special preview of Summer Wars, the latest anime film by acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda and not due for public release until the summer.

It is being shown at the Showcase Cinemas Bluewater at 6.30pm on Monday (March 1).

The screening is free and to get tickets call 020 8303 7777 option four, text the event title and date and your name and age to 07837 269967 or email bam@bexley.gov.uk