Comic Exhibition draws large crowds on opening day

Taipei, July 24 (CNA) The Comic Exhibition, featuring more than 1,200 booths from 120 exhibitors, opened Thursday at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1, drawing thousands of anime and manga fans in less than an hour after the doors opened.

After the doors opened at 10 a.m., large crowds of anime fans who had been lining up outside poured into the exhibition venue, eager to catch a glimpse of their idols or buy merchandise being offered. By 10:30 a.m., the hall was filled with thousands of visitors.

At the opening ceremony, four Japanese voice actors from the anime series "Pretty Derby" took to the stage to dance with the expo's mascot, "Manbo," sending the audience into a frenzy.

Su Wei-chuan (蘇偉銓), head of Taiwan-based Chinese Animation and Comic Publishers Association, said at the opening ceremony that the expo will feature around 100 events and performances over five days, including signing and meet-and-greet sessions and e-sports-related activities.

Event organizers forecast that the exhibition will attract over 650,000 visitors, generating revenue of over NT$300 million (US$10.25 million), Su said.

In her remarks, Deputy Culture Minister Lee Ching-hwi (李靜慧) said the expo is not only an occasion for anime fans to celebrate, but also one that promotes international exchanges.

For example, Lee said she was pleased to see many Taiwanese comics that won prizes at Japan's International Manga Award being displayed at the expo's Japan Pavilion

"One of the most moving and uplifting aspects of international exhibitions is that they showcase the energy of Taiwanese artists and anime fans and allow great works to gain international exposure," Lee said.

Kazuyuki Katayama, Japan's representative to Taiwan, agreed.

"Many friends in Taiwan learn about Japan through anime and manga. This motivates them to learn Japanese and visit Japan, and, in turn, causes them to find Japan endearing," Katayama said.

"Therefore, the Comic Exhibition, which has been held in Taiwan for many years, not only offers friends in Taiwan an opportunity to support Japan's content industry but is also significant in promoting Japan-Taiwan exchanges," he said.

Launched in 1995, the Comic Exhibition is Taiwan's largest anime and manga exhibition, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.