A collection of about 100 posters featuring Japanese ''manga'' and ''anime'' characters are among exhibits attracting youths in Brazil in a series of ''Cool Japan'' events under way in the Latin American country.At the Academia Brasileira de Letras in Rio de Janeiro, students of elementary and junior high schools are seen shooting a curious look at the posters that the country's leading academic institute started to display Nov. 9.The academy's president, Cicero Sandroni, praises the quality of Japanese anime and manga creations, saying they have developed creativity among young people.

A 13-year-old junior high school student said,Moves of main characters as well as colors and stories (of Japanese creations) make me get carried away. Apparel that is trendy in Tokyo, the art of ''shodo'' calligraphy and Japanese cuisine are also demonstrated during the events mainly organized by the academy and the Japanese Foreign Ministry.The events will run through early December in Brazil, where cosplay costume role play inspired by main characters of Japanese anime and manga has also gained popularity.