HK's Ani-Com comics fair kicks off with much fanfare
By Channel NewsAsia's Hong Kong Correspondent Leslie Tang | Posted: 31 July 2010 0002 hrs

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HONG KONG : About 1,000 packed Hong Kong's animation, comics, and games event, also known as "Ani-Com", on Friday.

Among them were cosplayers and dedicated collectors.

Some lined up for over a week, just to be among the first to get in.

12-year-old Ng Wai-yin and his buddies waited in the queue for 9 days.

"I am very excited because we've been waiting for so long," said Ng.

The first person to get in was a 22-year-old collector.

For his efforts, he was awarded a highly-coveted figurine from the "Little Fighter Online" franchise.

The limited edition figurine is reportedly worth up to US$400.

With over 500 booths selling comics, games and toys, budgets flew out the window, with plenty of cash to burn.

Ani-Com attracts legions of fans and cosplayers every year.

Cosplay, a combination of the words "costume" and "play", has sprung up from Japanese subculture. And cosplayers are participants who dress as anime, manga or video game characters.

"It seems like a big party! And all the people are happy to take a photo with me," said a wrestler cosplayer.

As for gamers - Kinect, the Xbox 360's controller-free sensor, made its Asia debut at the fair, going on sale in the fall.

Organisers are expecting around 700,000 visitors at the five-day mega-event. - CNA /ls