The 17th China International Comic Festival, showcasing over 100 animation, comic and gaming franchises, was held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province from Wednesday to Saturday.
Over 100,000 fans were drawn to the event both online and offline, and more than 1,000 dressed in creative cosplay for the occasion. The festival showcased and sold more than 1,500 types of animation and game-related merchandise, driving consumption to exceed 220 million yuan (about 31.4 million U.S. dollars).
For nostalgic visitors, a highlight of the event was a captivating "sheep village" inspired by the long-running Chinese animated series "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf." The area showcased debut exhibits and interactive games, drawing in fans eager to take photos.
"Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf" revolves around a group of goats living on the Green Grassland and a bumbling wolf who always wants to eat them.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of the 'Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf' series. Here, visitors can rediscover many classic elements and even uncover some spoilers," said Cai Ruiqiong, a producer for the series.
The exhibition was also a chance for many up-and-coming animators to expand their fan bases, taking advantage of growing enthusiasm for the medium in China.
China's first 3A game, "Black Myth: Wukong", featured its inaugural themed exhibition -- the "Black Myth: Wukong photo exhibition" -- at the festival. This exhibition showcased over 200 game pages created by players worldwide, with stunning visuals of historic sites and scenic landscapes.
With over 10 million copies sold across all platforms in just three days after its release on Aug. 20 this year, the Chinese action role-playing game inspired by Wu Cheng'en's iconic 16th-century novel, "Journey to the West", stands as the most successful Chinese video game to date.
The festival also displayed a diverse array of original comics and animations rich in Chinese cultural elements, alongside mobile games that reflect traditional Chinese culture, which are gaining popularity among youth.
"Our domestic animation market is gradually experiencing explosive growth, with around 80 percent of our offerings here consisting of local content. We can also see that many young animation artists are now producing works that are rich in literary depth and traditional cultural elements," said Chen Xi, an exhibitor.
Costumed fans delight in animation, gaming at 17th China International Comics Festival
