This year’s Comic Exhibition is to feature appearances by 50 graphic artists, authors, voice actors and animation producers from Taiwan and Japan, with doors to open tomorrow.
The artists are to hold 34 book-signing sessions and other events at the exhibition, event organizer Roger Kao (高世椿) said.
Among them are Japanese author Chise Ogawa, known for her work Caste Heaven, and Ryo Takagi, author of Getsuren — Konohanasakuya, said Kao, who is secretary-general of the Taipei-based Chinese Animation and Comic Publishers’ Association, the fair’s main organizer.
A number of Taiwanese authors are also to meet fans at the fair, organizers said.
A Japanese pavilion is to be set up at the exhibition for the first time, showcasing performances by Japanese pop groups and anime singers, Kao said.
There are also exhibitions of Japanese cartoon and anime figures, such as Hello Kitty, Kao said.
“It is the first time that the comic fair will feature so many anime singers,” including Japanese girl groups Tokyo Girls’ Style and Notall, as well as electropop producer Hachioji P, Kao said.
More than 70 publishers are to set up 610 booths at the annual fair, a 15 percent increase from last year, Kao said.
Kao estimated that visitor numbers would also increase from last year.
Last year, the fair attracted 601,000 visitors and generated about NT$260 million (US$8.2 million) in sales, Kao said.
In its 16th year this year, the fair is to run until Tuesday next week at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1.
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