Taipei comic exhibition opens to record crowd

2015/08/10

2015 Comic Exhibition kicked off Aug. 6 in Taipei City, attracting a record 106,000 showgoers, according to organizer Taipei-based Chinese Animation and Comic Publishers Association.

A total of 610 booths by 71 publishers, up 15 percent year on year, are expected to host over 600,000 visitors during the six-day event, generating sales topping NT$260 million (US$8.2 million).

CACPA Secretary-general Roger Kao said the 16th edition of the expo features a number of firsts this year. “These include a Japan theme pavilion presenting popular titles from Kyoto Animation studio, Neon Genesis Evangelion series and Sanrio cartoons.”

Kao said the pavilion underscores the blossoming relationship between Taiwan and Japan in the field of comics. “This is also evidenced by our recently forged official partnership with Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair, one of the largest such events in that country.”

Also making its debut is the iconic Star Wars franchise with a themed booth showcasing a diverse array of limited edition merchandise. “This is a dream come true for local fans hotly anticipating the latest installment in the series,” Kao added.

Another highlight is 34 book signings and assorted events by around 50 animators, authors, graphic artists and voice actors, including bestselling light fiction writers Mao Luo, Yanghane and Yu Wo from Taiwan, as well as cult film director Keita Amemiya and manga artist Arina Tanemura from Japan.

The event runs until Aug. 11 at Taipei World Trade Center’s Exhibition Hall No. 1.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233489&ctNode=413)