Make culture visible
Works, artistic voices and forms of storytelling from Germany gain a shared place without losing their individuality.
An initiative for cultural visibility
A culture becomes visiblewhen we give it a name.
DeuZKu sees illustrated, animated and interactive forms of storytelling not as separate niches, but as one shared creative ecosystem – rooted in Germany and open to Europe and the world.
IllustrateNarrateAnimatePlayConnect
Where we stand
Germany has the creative talent.What is missing is the common framework.
Comics, manga-inspired works, animation, games, music and storytelling have long been created here as well. Yet they are often perceived separately – as individual industries, scenes or exceptions.
DeuZKu aims to connect these forces through the idea of a German narrative and visual culture: not as a rigid category, but as a visible home for diversity, cultural roots and new forms of expression.
The manifesto
Do not copy.Develop an identity of our own.
Japan, the United States and other cultural regions demonstrate the strength a recognisable creative ecosystem can develop. DeuZKu takes these achievements as inspiration and asks what an independent, diverse narrative and visual culture from Germany could become.
Open the manifestoDeuZKu / Core idea
“We do not want to build a new cage for art. We want to make visible what is already growing – and give it room to grow further.”
German visual art remains the origin of the term. German narrative and visual culture opens it to the entire world that grows around illustrations, characters, sound, games and stories.
The shared system
Individual voices become resonance.
DeuZKu connects cultural identity with the structures that can sustain creativity in the long term.
Connect structures
Artists, studios, publishers, education, funding and audiences are understood as one connected ecosystem.
Build the future together
In the long term, DeuZKu aims to create space for visibility, exchange, collaboration and new creative paths.
Already being created
Works that already fill this space today.
An initial editorial selection – not an official affiliation of the featured creators with DeuZKu. The collection will expand step by step.
Comic · Graphic novel
Kinderland
Mawil
A comic about the final months of East Germany seen through a child's eyes; winner of the 2014 Max und Moritz Award for best German-language comic.
Work / SourceManga-inspired work
Eislicht
Anike Hage
A fantasy series created in Germany by Anike Hage and published by the Hamburg-based manga publisher altraverse.
Work / SourceManga · Mystery
Kiela und das letzte Geleit
Sozan Coskun
A mystery series by Sozan Coskun about death, memory and the wish to reach a lost person one more time.
Work / SourceNon-fiction comic
Die Frau als Mensch
Ulli Lust
An expansive comic about the origins of art, early societies and the importance of empathy.
Work / SourceGame · Pixel art
Chained Echoes
Matthias Linda
An internationally released role-playing game by German developer Matthias Linda, shaped by pixel art and a distinctive world of its own.
Work / SourceAnimation · Silhouette film
The Adventures of Prince Achmed
Lotte Reiniger
Premiered in 1926, this silhouette film is a historic milestone of animation and visual culture from Germany.
Work / SourceMore established names
A first look at the German-language comics field – and an invitation to expand the list across media.
- Aisha Franz
- Anna Haifisch
- Barbara Yelin
- Anke Feuchtenberger
- Reinhard Kleist
- Arne Bellstorf
What is already in motion
Germany is not starting from zero.The pathways are simply not connected yet.
Education, festivals, funding, awards and publishers already create opportunities. DeuZKu makes this existing landscape visible and explores how its parts can connect.
Events & visibility
Places where works, people and creative industries meet in public.
- International Comic Salon ErlangenExhibitions, talks, readings, workshops and the Max und Moritz Award.
- Stuttgart International Festival of Animated FilmAnimation, emerging talent, industry dialogue and the Animated Games Award Germany.
- gamescom & gamescom devAudiences, expertise, studios, publishing and international exchange in Cologne.
Education & emerging talent
Educational institutions connecting artistic, narrative and technical practice.
Funding & recognition
Programmes and awards that can strengthen development, visibility and market access.
Publishers & market access
Examples of publishers that make German-language works and creators visible.
Entries link to the respective official websites. Deadlines, programmes and funding conditions may change and should be checked there directly.
The next stage
An idea becomes a place to meet.
At launch, this website explains and collects. It is intended to grow into a place where creators become visible, connections emerge and collaborative projects can find their starting point more easily.
Discord community
A shared place for exchange, feedback and building the initiative together.
Invitation link to followGallery
A curated space for works, projects and distinctive artistic voices.
Curation plannedArtists & connections
Profiles, skills and starting points for new collaborations.
Network phase to followDeuZKu is intentionally still being built. Artists will only be presented as participants or members after direct consultation.