Opening day of Taichung ACG Festival draws crowds of young fans

Taichung, April 3 (CNA) The four-day Taichung International ACG Festival opened Friday, drawing large crowds of mostly teenage anime fans on the first day of the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday weekend.

Long lines formed early, with visitors stretching from inside the venue to nearby streets as they waited to enter the Taichung International Exhibition Center.

According to the Chinese Animation & Comic Publishers Association (CCPA), the festival, now in its fifth year, is expected to attract about 320,000 visits over the four-day holiday period.

CCPA Chairman Su Wei-chuan (蘇偉銓) said this year's event consists of 72 exhibitors displaying a wide variety of anime-related merchandise, including exclusive items, books, collectibles, toys and models.

There will also be book signing sessions and 15 activities, including appearances by renowned Taiwanese and Japanese artists, Japanese voice actors, and popular idol groups.

The festival is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with tickets priced at NT$120 (US$3.8).