Adilsons Newsletter 2022 v.3

Date Published: Saturday, 6th August, 2021

Welcome back for more anime updates, minna. This week's newsletter is a gargantuan edition, covering everything from local developments to international events, with particular emphasis on an event that's set the local artistic community ablaze with indignation...

1. Manga Street: A Blank Canvas!

On the 22nd of July, 2022, the Chinatown Foundation of Mauritius announced its plans to completely rework the existing Manga Street project and replace the artwork that currently decorates its walls. Barely 2 years since its current conception, the Manga Street Project continues to be a popular site for youths- both local and from abroad- to visit and take photos at, establishing itself as an indigenous hotspot for anime fans to visit and boast about.

Plans to rework the site were announced with no prior indication from the foundation and indicate a blatant disregard by the authority for the time and effort put in by the artists- an endeavor which was completely unpaid for. Reception of the news was met with significant backlash in response to which, the Foundation deleted several comments of those who wanted to challenge the decision.

Adilsons attempted to contact the Foundation on social media, to which we have garnered no reply. As such, we have embarked on a mission to lend our plaftorm to the artists who felt betrayed by the decision and censorship shown by the Chinatown Foundation. We sent out a brief questionnaire to these individuals and asked them to share their views with us. This week, we reveal to you the true sentiments of these selfless artists, as their work faces the threat of extinction:
*to protect the identities of these artists, their names have been kept confidential.

Q1: Why did you take part in the original project?

-"Firstly I was happy and inspired about the fact that the artistic community of Mauritius was finally getting some recognition and I wanted to help spread love about the anime community via my passion, which is art."

-"I was responsible for the marketing of the manga street and to me, this was not only a premiere in Mauritius but also because i felt that the creativity, hardwork, efforts of those behind those mural arts needed to be promoted."

Q2: Some would call this mere graffiti. What does this "graffiti" mean to you?

-"Graffiti is done by artist to tell a story/ express themselves anonymously but in this case we weren't anonymous as we volunteered to participate in a street art painting organised by the china town foundation and we even added our Instagram username on the wall when we've finished."

-"No, this place is where me and my friends had good times and created memories. And also we are hoping to leave through this our own prints."

Q3: Do you think there are other ways to fuse anime and its culture with life in Mauritius? If so, what?

-"Yes, it is not just about mural paintings but the mindset. You have to firstly love the anime community to know about what the community itself wants. For example, no one asked for new murals, the majority of people whom i know are part of the anime community would probably love a Mauritian manga instead, or simply anime conventions and shops."

-"The creation of a geek spot, a place where geek lovers may find themselves at home. It could be a place providing Japanese food, manga related stuff with anime arts."

Q4: Manga street attracts many tourists and locals for photoshoots. Why do you think this is the case?

-"Because it is something out of the ordinary. Tourists, people who are not part of the anime community, even people who are they all appreciate the art and hard-work of artists who built the manga street with these beautiful paintings."

-"It's a fact. Even I didn't know this street. It has become increasingly popular ever since 2020 after we painted the murals. It became popular on tiktok and almost every anime stans has a picture there. I personally pass by everytime I get the occasion as it holds so many beautiful memories."

-"It's one of the areas where the love for anime and mangas is concentrated and also these people not only appreciate the art on the walls but the process behind it."

Q5: What is your opinion on the changes being proposed?

-"I think that they should have at least informed us, artists involved, before and then listen to our voices and opinions instead of randomly announcing the changes and us finding out through social media. Even if they still insist to go forward with the project there was no need to ‘erase’ the current paintings as there are many other streets in port-louis. As the vice-president of the Chinatown Foundation proclaimed in one of their videos; the main goal of the foundation is to revive the capital if Mauritius, starting by Chinatown, to make it ‘shine to the world’ therefore i think this is the perfect opportunity for them to explore other places in Port-Louis to go forward with their goals."

-"I personally think it they were going to do those changes 2 years later afterwards they should have notified us right at the beginning, as all those young artists and minor gave their time, talent and creativity for free."

-"Absurd and a great disrespect to all those people behind the success of the market street."

Q6: What other forms (if any) of public artistic expression are available to you if the changes proposed go through?

-"None."

-"I personally would not want to do free murals again, therefore I don’t think I will have any besides posting my artwork in social media and art contests."



The plea of these artists is evident in their answers. For so many people to dedicate their time and effort to a project (with no monetary gain), only to have it erased without prior warning constitutes nothing short of a cultural attack. Adilsons hopes that the Chinatown Foundation will pay heed to the words of these artists, lest we lose one of the only sites in the country dedicated to the expression of the Mauritian love for anime...


2. Adilsons News

This week's been all about Yu-Gi-Oh at Adilsons! Saturday was an amazing day for our duelists, with two events happening side-by-side: the Win-a-Mat Elimination Tournament and the Vagabond Event! Caudan was full of anime-fueled activities as we settled into the anime convention. It was the perfect setting for everyone to let the inner weeb roam free as cosplay photoshoots and anime merch were a hand's reach away.

If you couldn't attend the event, do not despair. Adilsons is pleased to announce two more back-to-back events scheduled for later this month:
•Nationals: 21st August
•Grand Championship: 28th August
Further details will be communicated in the days to come, but do note that the Grand Championship shall be an invite-only event, although spectators will be allowed!


3. International Anime News

Adilsons is pleased to announce the return of our international news: this time as a bite-sized segment! Get all your major updates as rapid fire bullet-headlines and stay up to date on everything making waves in the world of anime! Here's what's hot this week:

•Chainsaw Man Anime Announced for October 2022! New key visual and trailer released!

•Hunter x Hunter Manga Readies Chapters 391, 392! The manga gears up for regular production!

•Haikyuu Season 5 Confirmed!

•Bleach Nears Return! TYBW Arc Lands in October! The Big 3 of Shounen are back!

•Harem in the Labyrinth of Another World Ep. 4 Not for Kids! Censorship's heavy in this one!


4. Mauritius Got Talent!

This week's Talent Search puts the spotlight on Mahadoo K Aishwaryaa!

A 23 year old finishing her Visual Arts studies at MGI (Fine Arts), Aishwaryaa describes herself as a versatile artist who likes to experiment with novel techniques. A regular participant in art exhibitions and contests, her hobbies include listening to music, watching k-dramas and DIY projects! Her major artistic interest lies in tie & dye, along with mixed-media and the classic pen & ink styles. Her artistic portfolio includes fan art, macrame art, drawings, paintings and clay art, to list a few!

Aishwaryaa finds inspiration in nature, clothing, panorama, manga, anime and "anything related to my childhood memories". She credits Masato Tsuchiya, Will Yu, Patricia Ochudlo, J C Andrea Tramutolo, James Jean and Hayao Miyazaki as the key inspirations behind her art. You can support her on social media by checking out her Instagram (@mk_12aryaa and @mysa_area), where you can DM her for queries and orders!

This week, it's all about our one and only #bubbletealover #stationaryaddict Mahadoo k Aishwaryaa! Enjoy some of her art below:

5. FAQ This Week

Will you guys be present on 6th August for the event at Caudan?
Yes, we will be there for the Yu-Gi-Oh tournament "Vagabond" and we will also be selling some merchs on that day.

Are the katana in metal. sharp?
No, as it is illegal to sell sharpen swords.

Is delivery available?
Delivery is not available until further notice. We are not able to do delivery due to the new shop opening. However, we will resume it shortly. We are just adjusting a little and we will sort this out.

Will there be more katanas ?
Yes, we are expecting a new arrival by the end of September.

How can I pre-order some products not on your website?
If you would like us to bring any products, whether it is anime or non anime related, for you which is either sold out on our website or is not on our website, kindly fill out this form to let us know.
https://forms.gle/Jttg8tVTBxBPVg5k9

If we can find those products,
1. We will update our website with those products.
2. We will contact you to let you know about it.
3. You can then make your pre-order payment on the website or we will give you a dedicated number (if you are not familiar with online checkout). We might require say 50% deposit by juice or cash.

A discount of 5% will be offered for all pre-orders 😊

Depending on the products, it might take 3 weeks to 1.5months to get them in our store. Every 1-2 months, we will have new arrivals now.

If you have any questions, send us an email at info@adilsons.org

How to contact us ?
If you'd still like to contact us, Adilsons is available for queries on multiple platforms.
•General Queries may be addressed to our social media accounts on Facebook & Instagram
•Queries on Yu-Gi-Oh Tournaments can be sent to our Manager (Dooshyant "Oreo" Conhye) at +230 5913 5374 (Whatsapp only)
•Our sales team can be reached on Whatsapp at +230 5778 2336 for order inquiries
•Any other issues, offers or queries should be directed to our email at info@adilsons.org