Guangzhou Comic-Con 2023

Guangzhou COMICUP2023SP Exhibition (hereinafter referred to as CPSP), is the first large-scale animation and game exhibition held ever since COVID regulations were lifted domestically. Most anime fans must have been waiting far too long for this CPSP.

This epidemic has single-handedly shrunk the domestic animation and game exhibition-related industries by more than half. Even last year, many people pessimistically believed that future exhibitions will become less and less. So what has become of this year’s post-epidemic domestic comic-con exhibition? Can we still look forward to reliving the heyday of 2018’s exhibition?

In early 2020, following the outbreak of COVID, the global comic-con industry suffered a huge blow. Domestically, the number of exhibitions released nationwide in the first half of 2020 totaled 623. Compared to the 2,079 exhibitions held in the same period of 2019, this was a decrease by nearly a quarter. Moreover, the number of exhibitions held normally in the first half of 2020 totaled 194, a reduction of nearly ten times compared to the same period in 2019. There were a large number of exhibitions that had already been registered, yet they were called off or postponed under the influence of the epidemic. Even major exhibitions such as Shanghai CP and Chengdu CD were no exceptions.

The actual number of comic book shows registered throughout the country in 2020 was about 3600 (about 4300 in 2019), and there were too many postponements or cancellations that it is impossible to estimate the exact number. In this environment, most small comic-con enterprises have closed down or undergone business transformation one after another. After all, the cost of organizing a comic-con is high, it is laborious and thankless.

In 2021 the epidemic took a turn for the better, and many places began to return to normal. Large comic-cons can be held as usual as long as they comply with the epidemic prevention regulations and restrict the flow of people. Guangzhou CICF and other comic-cons were postponed to later dates, and the number of comic-cons was maintained at about 1700 for the year.

In the first half of 2023 there are currently 144 announced comic-cons, including CPSP. As for the Shanghai CP, which has been suspended for a year, there is finally news that CP29 is expected to be re-held this summer. Of course, after this there will gradually be more announcements of other large and small comic-cons being held. According to the experience of previous years, this is just the beginning. After enduring for more than two years, I believe the comic-con industry will get better, and I hope that the people who are still working hard for comic-cons can pull through and continue to maintain their passion.