5 things to keep an eye out for at Ani-Com Hong Kong
Ani-Com is currently being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai and will be open to the public until 1 August.Video game, anime and comic fans from all around the city are gearing up to attend the hotly-anticipated Ani-Com.
The annual event – which features dozens of stalls ranging from from PlayStation Virtual Reality (VR) experiences to dance performances – is open to the public until August 1 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. Animation, Comics and Games Hong Kong (ACGHK) ensures this year offers an extensive selection of animation, comics, games, toys, collectibles and activities that Ani-Com fanatics dream of.
Young Post got an exclusive sneak peek of the exhibition, and has picked out five awesome things to keep your eye out for.
1. Cosplay
Fancy dressing up as a storm-trooper for a day? Now’s your chance – head over to Ani-Com and fit right in with the hundreds of others who will be donning their favourite costumes. Expect to see some excellent ‘cosplayers’ (a contraction of the word ‘costume’ and ‘players’) throughout the event, as devoted fans will be dressing up as characters from anime and comics such as Dark Souls and Final Fantasy.
2. PlayStation Virtual Reality
VR is the new shiny toy of today’s gaming community. PS4 fans will be licking their lips at the immersive 4K games available in the glorious VR demo areas all around the exhibition hall. As if the console’s games aren’t engaging enough, strap on the futuristic headset and jump into a world full of zombies and monsters.
3. Xbox Racing Exhibits
In an attempt to not be overshadowed, Microsoft also showcases fantastic new games for Xbox One users. Their setups feature popular racing franchise Forza Motorsport 7, which provides hyper-realistic racing experiences with rides we can only dream about owning. Racing fans can get behind the wheel and race against their friends in a thrilling experience like no other.
4. Lego
Surprisingly, Lego’s booth is one of the more interesting ones at the event. Its ‘Build Amazing Hong Kong’ theme features 10 finalists who will compete in the Lego Annual Architect Competition. Competitors look to display their collective creativity with extraordinarily intricate models – all representing different Hong Kong landmarks. Prizes include a round-trip package to the infamous Legoland Japan.
5. Merchandise
One thing’s for sure during your Ani-Com experience: you won’t be leaving the event empty-handed. Whether it’s a version of your favourite anime, or figurine collectables, there will be an assortment of merchandise on sale from vendors such as Tamashii Nations and GashaPon. Naruto’s glowing spiky hair is mandatory. Plushies, cards, keychains are all over the place, so get there quick someone nabs the last Blue Eyes White Dragon Yu-Gi-Oh! card.
ACGHK 2017 aims to be the greatest games, anime and comic exhibition Hong Kong has ever seen. Whether you’re interested in trying out VR for the first time, collecting some cool Star Wars and Marvel figurines, or simply want to spend an afternoon surrounded by other enthusiasts like yourself, Ani-Com is certainly worth a visit.