One of China’s largest comic conventions has banned Japanese-themed content and derivative works just a week ahead of its opening amid spiralling tension between Tokyo and Beijing.
Organisers of the Comicup (CP) 32nd edition “Pre” event – set to take place in Hangzhou on December 27 and 28 – informed exhibitors and visitors on Friday that there would be a “full-scale adjustment” of content shown throughout the venue.
“Due to consideration regarding the current social environment and our cultural obligations, the organising committee has decided to pivot this edition of the convention towards a ‘new Chinese style’ theme,” the message said.
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The announcement was not made public but several people planning to attend confirmed its details to the South China Morning Post.
While the statement did not name Japan, several dozen exhibitors who featured Japanese anime and other themed content said on social media that their booths had been cancelled for reasons “well-known to all” and “factors beyond control”.
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Meanwhile, sections themed around content from the United States and Europe appear to be unaffected at the grass-roots gala which serves as a massive marketplace for creators of derivative works based on various anime, comics and games fandoms.