diff --git a/tools/visual_asset_manager.html b/tools/visual_asset_manager.html
index 2c2044f40..4ad4400ff 100644
--- a/tools/visual_asset_manager.html
+++ b/tools/visual_asset_manager.html
@@ -563,17 +563,29 @@
         let currentFilter = 'all';
 
         // Initialize
-        function init() {
-            loadAssets();
+        async function init() {
+            await loadAssets();
             setupEventListeners();
             renderGallery(allAssets);
         }
 
-        function loadAssets() {
-            // Simulate loading assets
-            // In production, this would call a backend API or read filesystem
-            console.log('Loading assets...');
-            document.getElementById('visible-assets').textContent = allAssets.length;
+        async function loadAssets() {
+            console.log('Loading assets from manifest...');
+            try {
+                const response = await fetch('asset_manifest.json');
+                const manifest = await response.json();
+
+                allAssets = manifest.assets;
+
+                // Update stats
+                document.getElementById('total-assets').textContent = manifest.total_assets;
+                document.getElementById('visible-assets').textContent = manifest.total_assets;
+
+                console.log(`✅ Loaded ${allAssets.length} assets from manifest`);
+            } catch (error) {
+                console.error('❌ Error loading manifest:', error);
+                alert('Error loading assets! Make sure you run:\npython3 ../scripts/generate_asset_manifest.py');
+            }
         }
 
         function renderGallery(assets) {