Segré. We found our audience: pop culture still attracts just as much.

Nadège Gomez, 32, has been running the O-Fuda store in Segré for a year and a half. Credit: Angèle Nivol

If there is one person who is confident about the success of the Fusion Event, it is Nadège Gomez, the manager of O-Fuda: “there will be people coming, the organizer told me that he chose the city of Segré because it is located in the center of Angers, Nantes, Rennes, and Laval and there was nothing here. If we could find our audience, he will find his too,” she says. In Segré-en-Anjou-Bleu, the O-Fuda bookstore has a monopoly for fans of pop culture. Opened on October 17, 2024, the shop specializes in mangas, figurines, and derivative products. “We have access to all the suppliers’ catalogs. If a book or comic catches your eye, we can also order it,” explains the manager.

In the store, popular series sequels dominate, including titles like One Piece, Spy x Family, or The Apothecary’s Diaries. “We mainly sell series sequels, then depending on the arrivals, people buy derivative products,” she points out. Fantasy, in particular, is very successful: “that’s what sells the most.” A loyal clientele quickly formed, consisting of both young children under 10 and adults from 30 to 40 years old. “We found our audience in Segré,” says Nadège Gomez.

“Expecting to see more teenagers”

However, one surprising observation is that teenagers are not as present as expected. “We thought we would see more teenagers,” she admits. Several factors could explain this relative absence, according to her. Firstly, mobility constraints, not all young people have vehicles. Secondly, purchasing power, often limited in younger individuals. Finally, the recent reduction of the Culture Pass, from 300 to 150 euros, could have a direct impact on their habits.

This imbalance raises questions, especially as Japanese pop culture continues to attract massive interest. According to Arcom, 42% of French people consume mangas or anime in 2025. Part of the answer may lie in the screens. According to a recent study by the National Book Center, 7-19 year olds read an average of 18 minutes per day for pleasure, compared to over 3 hours spent in front of screens.

“The animated version can lead to reading”

Nevertheless, these screens are not necessarily enemies of reading. On the contrary, they can act as a bridge. “The animated version can lead to reading,” emphasizes Nadège Gomez. “Watching an anime often makes you want to discover the manga series, learn more about the story or the author’s work.” This dynamic helps break some persistent prejudices, such as the idea that “mangas are for children”. “With my partner, we read series that we wouldn’t usually read, and sometimes we really fall in love with them,” she confesses.