Otakus flock to biggest anime fan convention in Taiwan

Otakus flock to biggest anime fan convention in Taiwan

2024-08-23

Anime fans from far and wide flocked to Taipei Expo Park Friday for the biggest anime fan convention in Taiwan. The event boasts 1,700 booths with creators showcasing and selling their wares. With fan art, figurines and plenty of merch up for grabs, some attendees say they are planning to burn through through tens of thousands of NT at the con.

Fans descended on the event with suitcases and bags, to end the summer break with a bang. The largest anime fan convention in Taiwan has opened its doors.

Anime fan
I came over at 7:30 a.m. yesterday. My budget is about NT$40,000 to NT$50,000.

Some camped outside the venue through the night, afraid of missing out on the merch they want.

Anime fan
This is a money counting machine. I might be buying more than NT$40,000 or NT$50,000 in goods, so a bill counter is bound to come in handy.

Anime fan
I put some of my purchases in storage, because I can’t carry them around the con. There’s another box that I still have to pay for. I just spent NT$15,000 or NT$16,000.

The event boasts about 1,700 creator booths. Even YouTubers have set up shop here.

Hei Yu
YouTuber
These are all my original products. I commissioned artists to draw them. Last year, we had a yukata series, and this year we have a swimsuit series.

For the more daring, there’s also lucky draws for figurines and other prizes.

Staff
Lucky draw booth
I’ve been organizing the items the whole time I’ve been here. You can come and try your luck to win a PS5 or a Switch!

Besides the stalls and merch, there’s stage performances, cosplayers, autograph singing sessions, meet and greets and more. Taipei Expo Park is buzzing with energy, showing the power of the otaku economy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

暑期動漫祭花博登場! 動漫迷"提前兩天"排隊搶頭香

2024-08-23

國內暑期，最後一檔也是最大的同人動漫活動，在圓山花博盛大登場，現場多達1700個攤位，都是原創作品!今天(23號)是活動第一天，不少人提早兩天就來排隊，搶頭香進場，行李箱、大購物袋帶好帶滿，要來大採購。

行李箱、大型購物袋，提著就往前衝，暑假結束前，最後一檔，全台最盛大的同人動漫展重磅登場。

[[動漫迷]]
“我前一天的早上7點半就來了。 (預算)大概買4萬快5萬左右”

有動漫迷，不惜夜排，在展場外住一晚，就是怕錯過自己最想要的周邊。

[[動漫迷]]
“這是點鈔機，(要買的)總量可能有4萬、5萬，所以可能會需要點鈔機，比較好點”

[[動漫迷]]
“(戰利品)放進他們倉庫了，因為沒有辦法一直抱著逛展，應該還有一箱，只是要等結帳這樣子。剛剛(花)1萬5千、1萬6千多塊”

現場多達1700個攤位，都是原創作家，連YouTuber 也來擺攤。

[[Youtuber 黑羽]]
“都是我們原創的東西，我們自己委託老師，委託老師請他們畫，舉例來說，我們去年是夏季和服，今年是出泳裝系列”

也有人衝著最想得到的公仔、獎品，碰碰運氣，來抽獎。

[[選寶攤位工作人員]]
“我們剛剛一直在整理貨品，歡迎大家來，大獎會有PS5還有Switch”

除了逛攤位週邊，舞台區還有演唱會。場內場外，都能看到不少cosplay裝扮，還有簽名會、見面會，動漫迷們擠破頭，熱情灌爆圓山花博，也再次讓人見識宅經濟的威力。

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民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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On the 66th anniversary of the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, President Lai Ching-te personally traveled to Mount Taiwu in Kinmen to preside over a memorial. Family members of the fallen soldiers were moved to tears upon seeing the president.

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Lai Ching-te
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I saw the memorial tablets of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, and I kept thinking about how tough it must have been back then. All the families of the fallen please stand, and we applaud you. Thank you for your sacrifices. This is our shared history.

As Taiwan continues to face threats from China today, President Lai voiced hope that the people of Taiwan will unite and remain resolute in defending the nation.

Lai Ching-te
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As threats from China against Taiwan, the Penghu Islands, Kinmen, and Matsu are as severe they were in previous years, we must remain determined to protect these territories and defend the R.O.C. The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis occurred before I was born and before the Democratic Progressive Party was even established. This shows that China’s intent to take Taiwan is not influenced by any individual or political party’s statements or actions. We need to understand this. Therefore, if we are to resist the threats from China in the future, we must remain united.

President Lai addressed the people, urging unity and determination in defending Taiwan. He also emphasized the DPP’s stance on the cross-strait relations, highlighting Taiwan’s position in the ongoing geopolitical situation.

Lai Ching-te
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Our goal is to seek peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait. We no longer aim to retake the mainland, but we also do not wish to be ruled by the Communist Party. We want to continue living in a democracy with freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

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When North Korea appears in global newscasts, it’s usually scenes like this that dominate. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, overseeing a weapons test.

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Lee Seong-min
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To give a platform to North Korean defectors and by extension to those still living in North Korea.

Doing what he can to provide a more nuanced perspective of his homeland.

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This work was created by Hsu in 2004. He used calligraphy brushes to draw a huge egg, inscribing various words and sketches on newspaper.

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This work is a reflection on changes in Taiwanese society in the 1990s under the influence of industrialization and urbanization.

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Hsu Yu-jen
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Throughout his five-decade career, Hsu has experimented with a variety of mediums including ink, Eastern ink painting, oil painting, stone sculpture, and mixed media. The exhibition is centered around four Chinese characters: "drowning," "floating," "sinking," and "eddying."

Hsu Yu-jen
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Since up to 70% of the human adult body is water, and it is impossible to live without water, I use my feelings about water to contemplate my artistic expression.

The focus of his work has shifted from his own life experience, to changes in Taiwanese society in the 1990s under the influence of industrialization and urbanization, to present-day observations of Taiwan’s scenery and society. The exhibition will be held at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum until September 8.

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