The inaugural Hong Kong edition of Comic Con, the annual global celebration of pop culture that originated from the United States, kicked off at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday.
Featuring about 150 exhibitors, the three-day event has drawn widespread local and international attention to the vibrant world of animation and comics.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Friday morning, Hong Kong cinematic icon Louis Koo Tin-lok, the official ambassador of the convention, expressed his delight that after seven months of preparation, the event was finally able to welcome everyone.
"Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I believe that as long as we persevere and continuously accumulate experience, we will make it. … We will keep organizing this event, hoping to keep hosting mega events for Hong Kong," Koo said.
The opening ceremony also saw a star-studded lineup of international cinematic icons take the stage, including Mads Mikkelsen, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Lloyd, and Byeon Woo-seok, accompanied by a spectacular traditional lion dance in celebration of the grand launch.
According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 features a broad spectrum of entertainment genres, including Hollywood, Western and Asian cinema, gaming intellectual properties, collectables companies, as well as global star appearances and blockbuster news conferences.
The convention also includes a dedicated “Artist Alley” for original artists and independent creators. Among the highlights are themed visual works created by Hong Kong artist Au Yeung Chun-hay, which incorporate neon lights, tong lau architecture and anime-inspired elements to capture the city’s distinctive urban identity and futuristic atmosphere.
Au Yeung told China Daily that his work was inspired by Hong Kong’s iconic night scenes and was designed with vibrant neon tones and augmented-reality-inspired details to reinterpret the city through an anime aesthetic.
As the honorary president of the Hong Kong Society of Illustrators, Au Yeung also expressed his hope that Comic Con can serve as an international platform to showcase Hong Kong’s original art and local creative talent to global audiences.
The convention floor also buzzed with fan passion. "It took me two weeks to get this outfit ready because of the many details involved,” Uiki Yeung, a local cosplayer with six years of experience, told China Daily with excitement, whose portrayal of Psylocke from Marvel Rivals earned her dozens of photo invites from enthusiastic attendees in the morning alone.
This event also attracted many foreign attendees. Isaac Theodosis, a high school student in Hong Kong and a big fan of One Piece and Dragon Ball, said he was really excited to be here.
“I actually left school early to come here,” Theodosis said with a smile, adding that he planned to return here with his friends the next day for even more fun.
However, a local visitor, Sammy Ng, said that there’s still some room for improvement, pointing to long outdoor lines, hot weather, and poor ventilation. She also said the booth for Love and Deepspace, a popular 3D romance interactive mobile game, fell short of promotional expectations due to limited photo space and smaller-than-expected character standees. Despite this, she said, she hoped Hong Kong will host similar events in the future.
The convention will continue over the weekend with cosplay activities, stage presentations and fan interaction sessions, offering visitors an immersive celebration of anime, gaming and pop culture.
