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Keita Amemiya, creator of the popular Garo live-action sci-fi drama series, made a dashing appearance at the Taipei International Comics and Animation Festival on Feb. 17.
Known as TCA, the festival is one of Asia's largest comics and animation events. It ran from Feb. 14-18.
Amemiya appeared as a guest of honor to celebrate the release of Garo and the Wailing Dragon, the latest feature film from the series and one which hit cinemas both in Japan and Taiwan on Feb. 23.
He made quite an entrance, stepping on stage accompanied by Garo, the knight in golden armor.
Ecstatic fans crowded around the stage. At least one was dressed as Garo's alter ego, Koga Saejima, and 100 or more lined up afterward for an autograph session with the director.
A large booth at the venue contained the Garo suit and other props and wardrobe items on display.
It was the first time a Garo movie had gone on general theater release in Taiwan, but the series nevertheless seems to be acquiring recognition there and elsewhere around the region.
Meanwhile, TCA featured many other appearances by authors, manga artists, and voice actors.
The event featured many popular titles, including Hunter x Hunter and Naruto.
TCA Official Site:
http://www.ccpa.org.tw/tca/ (Chinese)
Garo Official Site:
http://garo-project.jp/index.html (Japanese)
Translated by The Asahi Shimbun from the website Anime Anime.
http://ajw.asahi.com/
