Hetalia 20th Anniversary Art Exhibition WorldFesta Set for Tokyo and Osaka in Fall 2026

What was announced

An original art exhibition is on the way to mark two decades of Hetalia. According to the official announcement, the Hetalia 20th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition WorldFesta will open in Tokyo and Osaka in fall 2026, celebrating 20 years of Hidekaz Himaruya's globe-trotting comedy. The reveal arrived alongside a newly drawn illustration of Italy by Himaruya himself, shown publicly for the first time.

What fans can expect

The show is billed as a large-scale exhibition rather than a small pop-up. Organizers say it will gather Himaruya's original pencil artwork and color illustrations, and the space will also feature a life-size statue of Italy, photo spots, and a merchandise corner built around the anniversary. Specific venues, exact dates, and ticket details have not been announced yet. The organizers say that information will follow later through the official site and social channels, so for now the reveal functions as a save-the-date for fans in both cities.

Background

Hetalia Axis Powers started as Himaruya's web comic before its anime adaptation premiered on January 24, 2009. The series reimagines the nations of the world as a cast of personified characters, mining their bickering and camaraderie for comedy that riffs on history and national stereotypes. Italy sits at the center of that ensemble as one of its most recognizable faces, which makes his freshly drawn illustration a fitting centerpiece for an anniversary art show.

Since that debut the franchise has grown across a string of entries, most recently Hetalia World Stars, keeping the country-boys premise alive for newer viewers. A dedicated original art exhibition leans into that longevity, giving fans a chance to see Himaruya's hand-drawn work up close instead of on a page or a screen.

Why it matters

Anniversary exhibitions have become a familiar way for long-running properties to celebrate a milestone, and 20 years is a significant marker for a title whose fandom has stayed active well beyond the anime's original run. With only the season, the two host cities, and the first piece of artwork confirmed so far, the practical takeaway is simple: fans in Tokyo and Osaka will want to keep an eye on the official channels for the venue, scheduling, and ticketing news still to come.