Paris Manga by TGS 2026 : Aldebaran and Darkside Dioramas

A figure gives a favourite character a physical presence; a diorama gives that presence somewhere to belong. L’atelier Aldebaran and Darkside Créations bring these two interests together in the shared presentation described in Mulderville’s reporting: miniature environments, 3D figures in resin and filament, and hand painting. Their appeal lies in the relationship between the collectible and its setting, where colour, architecture and composition can suggest a story without a single line of dialogue.

The 40th Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show by TGS was scheduled for 3–4 October 2026 at Paris Nord Villepinte, as confirmed by venue operator Viparis. The available evidence establishes the event’s dates and the creators’ earlier activities, but does not independently confirm their attendance at this particular edition.

L’atelier Aldebaran and Darkside Créations share a visual language

The most revealing detail in the supplied report is the presentation panel itself. It describes a gold-armoured character wearing an imposing horned helmet, framed by antique columns and a cosmic background. The imagery evokes Saint Seiya, known in France as Les Chevaliers du Zodiaque. Read as a composition, the armour supplies the focal point, the architecture establishes scale and the star-filled setting expands the imagined world beyond the figure.

That observation concerns the communication artwork described by Mulderville, rather than a verified photograph of a finished item offered for sale. Even so, it neatly expresses the attraction of diorama design: the setting helps the viewer interpret the character. A column can make a pose appear ceremonial; broken masonry can suggest the aftermath of a battle. These are possible readings of miniature scenery, not claims about specific products or commissions.

The shared panel associates both names with a complementary range of activities. Darkside Créations also publicly describes its interests as diorama creation, collecting and figure repainting. This supports the connection between staging a piece and revisiting its finish, although the common presentation does not establish a formal company partnership or explain how individual projects are divided between the two names.

How miniature scenery changes a collectible

A successful miniature environment does more than occupy the space beneath a figure. It can guide the eye towards the face, balance an outstretched arm or create an impression of distance within a shallow display. Steps, walls and fragments of architecture provide visual reference points. Their placement helps determine whether the central character appears isolated, protected, triumphant or caught in the middle of an unfolding scene.

Resin and filament figures meet hand painting

The presentation names resin and filament for its 3D figures, then highlights hand painting. These are the material categories and finishing activity advertised in the supplied account. They do not establish which printers are used, who creates the digital models or which dimensions are available. Without further documentation, it would be premature to attach a particular manufacturing process or production specification to either creator.

Hand painting nevertheless deserves attention because it shapes how a miniature is read. Colour separates surfaces and helps distinguish a face from its surrounding armour or clothing. Differences in tone can make a recess seem deeper, bring an edge forward or suggest contrasting materials. These are general visual possibilities of painting, rather than a reconstruction of the workshops’ methods.

Repainting, explicitly included in Darkside Créations’ public description, extends this interest to the appearance of existing figures. A different finish can change the emphasis of a sculpt without changing its pose. That gives the collecting theme another dimension: the object becomes something whose visual presentation can be reconsidered. Current commission terms, prices and turnaround times have not been established by the sources checked.

Earlier convention displays provide a documented history

Independent convention coverage offers a concrete glimpse of that exhibition background. A report published on 16 November 2021 credits L’atelier Aldebaran among the contributors to the “Multivers” diorama exhibition at Hero Festival in Marseille. The display brought together subjects drawn from games, manga, films, television and comics. This documents the workshop’s involvement in a public display by 2021 without implying that this was its first event or founding year.

Another useful detail appears in coverage of the 35th Paris Manga, held on 16–17 March 2024. Within a section dedicated to figures and dioramas, the report singles out several interpretations of Batman presented by Darkside Créations. It is a small but telling historical observation: the documented display already extended beyond the Japanese animation imagery evoked by the shared presentation panel. It does not establish which pieces were subsequently shown in 2026.

Following the creators and exploring the photographs

For readers interested in L’atelier Aldebaran and Darkside Créations, the shared presentation offers a clear starting point: dioramas, figures and painted finishes considered together. The publicly identifiable Darkside Créations Facebook page provides a contact route for enquiries. Availability, dimensions, customisation options and future appearances should be checked directly with the creators; the material verified for this article does not supply a current commercial catalogue.

You can discover our photos in our Flickr page

Event recap

Paris Manga by TGS — 40th edition.
Where : Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, Villepinte, France.
When : 3–4 October 2026.
What : A pop-culture convention covering manga, animation, comics, film, television, gaming and web culture. Attendance by the two featured creators at this edition remains independently unconfirmed.

Photos : Boris Colletier / Mulderville