about us @ J-TSOON

What is J-TSOON?

J-TSOON (Spring Edition) and J-TSOON: BURNING PUMPKIN FEST (Fall Edition) is a festival of Asian and youth subcultures created to bring people with different hobbies together. For many years, the festival has gathered enthusiasts of anime, manga, comics, computer and board games, artists and crafters, cosplayers, and K-pop fans, as well as lovers of manhwa and more. The festival was conceived as a safe space for enthusiasts of similar hobbies where everyone can express themselves.

Thanks to a large number of lectures, J-TSOON is not only an entertaining event but also an educational one. Our goal is to create a vibrant community where young individuals can come together and celebrate shared interests in Asian cultures and pop culture in general. Creative expression is at the heart of our mission, with activities like cosplay, K-pop, and art contests allowing participants to showcase their talents and passions. We strive to provide unique educational opportunities through workshops and panels, empowering attendees to acquire new skills and explore exciting career paths. Networking is a key focus, providing a platform for young enthusiasts to connect with like-minded individuals, industry professionals, and potential mentors.

The Origins of J-TSOON

The journey began with JAFF (Japanese Animation Film Festival). The very first JAFF was held in Tallinn from March 17 to March 25, 2007. Over the course of nine days, Kinos Sõprus showcased 15 feature films and 7 short films, spanning over 40 years of Japanese animation history (1963–2006).

The program included:

Three films by Hayao Miyazaki, none of which had been previously released in Estonian cinemas at the time.
A tribute to Osamu Tezuka, featuring six primarily silent short films.
Classic sci-fi masterpieces like Galaxy Express 999 ja Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth, a continuation of the legendary anime series.
“Tales from Earthsea”, directed by Goro Miyazaki, the son of Hayao Miyazaki.
“Vampire Hunter D” and “Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust”, iconic films in the fantasy-horror genre.

JAFF 2007 became the biggest and most exciting anime and Japanese film event of the year in Estonia, laying the foundation for a long-standing tradition.

Growing Beyond Film: Activities & Cosplay

As the festival evolved, it expanded beyond just film screenings. In JAFF 2 (2008), attendees could participate in art competitions, trivia quizzes, and small workshops. By JAFF 3 (2009), the festival introduced its first-ever cosplay show, allowing fans to bring their favorite characters to life on stage.

Over the years, JAFF became an annual tradition, bringing fresh experiences with each edition. Interest in cosplay grew significantly, turning into a beloved hobby for many. People began crafting intricate costumes, while others simply enjoyed seeing their favorite characters come to life.

In 2010, to accommodate the rising popularity of cosplay and performance arts, JAFF introduced a new sub-event called AnimeMÖLL. This addition focused on cosplay competitions and dance performances, further enriching the festival experience.

Photo by Jaapani kultuuriklubi Asashio

J-TSOON Today

On April 20–21, 2019, the first standalone J-ZONE festival of youth and Asian subcultures took place at Kultuurikatel. While JAFF continued as a dedicated film festival, J-ZONE became an independent event, bringing together anime fans, cosplayers, K-pop dancers, gamers, and enthusiasts of various hobbies under one roof.

In October 2021, the festival planned to introduce its first-ever autumn edition, J-TSOON: Burning Pumpkin Fest, designed as a more informal, Halloween-themed counterpart to the April J-ZONE. However, due to the pandemic, the event was postponed and finally took place on October 29–30, 2022.

Starting in 2023, the festival was officially renamed J-TSOON, a direct translation of the previous name into Estonian.

With J-TSOON: Burning Pumpkin Fest 2023, the event began expanding its focus, deepening existing activities, and introducing new ones. The cosplay and K-pop competitions grew larger, the gaming zone expanded, and the festival welcomed new sponsors and partners.

In 2024, J-TSOON ja J-TSOON: Burning Pumpkin Fest reached unprecedented scale, both in visitor numbers and in the sheer amount of content available. More and more international guests attended, not only from neighboring Baltic and Scandinavian countries but also from across Europe and beyond.

Looking ahead to 2025, the festival is set to grow even further. J-TSOON 6, taking place on April 12–13, will expand beyond Kultuurikatel for the first time, incorporating additional space in the adjacent Energia Avastuskeskus. This edition will feature:

K-POPi largest Gaming Zone in the festival’s history
An expanded Artists & Crafters Alley
Major Cosplay and K-pop competitions, with qualifiers for international contests
A diverse program of lectures, panels, and workshops, both educational and entertaining
A huge variety of interactive activities for visitors

Today, J-TSOON stands as the largest festival of Asian and youth subcultures in Estonia.

With over 19 years of experience and 36+ events across Estonia, JAFF/J-TSOON has built a truly rich legacy.

J-TSOON TEAM

Main Organizers

ARTUR – Film producer, co-producer, nominee for Oscar and Golden Globe, Japanese Animation Film Festival (JAFF) organizer since 2007. In 2018, received the Order of the Rising Sun with golden and silver rays for promoting Japanese culture and fostering friendly relations between Japan and Estonia. TATJANA – Producer, director, scriptwriter, nominee for Oscar and Golden Globe, co-organizer of the Japanese Animation Film Festival (JAFF) since 2007. For over 19, years, Artur and Tatjana have been pouring their hearts into introducing Asian culture to Estonia. They’ve curated the Japanese Animation Film Festival and various events in Tallinn, all with one goal in mind: providing a special place for Estonian youth where they can express themselves through creativity, enjoy cosplay, engage with art, attend interesting lectures, and vibe to the beats of K-pop. Above all, Artur and Tatjana are on a mission to infuse the essence of Asian culture into the everyday lives of Estonian youth.

Currently, the team consists of 27 people, each of whom is a professional in their field and loves what they do very much. In addition to the main team, more than 40 volunteers come to help at the festival every year. Together, all these people bring J-TSOON to life.