Shopping Guide
 was held.)
From Oct. 10-13 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, U.S., the American comic, manga, and game convention New York Comic Con (NYCC) was held. This year’s four-day event surpassed last year’s attendance total of 116,000 people for a total of roughly 125,000 people. The event hall was on fire the whole time.
Even Japanese anime and games were popular.
Some of the products that picked up attention were cute Nendoroids at the Good Smile Company booth and elaborate Iron Man figures and Star Wars themed lightsaber chopsticks at the Kotobukiya booth. There was a never-ending wave of attendees holding cameras in the hopes of taking pictures of these eye-catching figures and items. Also, supplies of Evangelion and Attack on Titan posters that were being given out for free at the FUNimation booth ran out in the blink of an eye. Overall, Japanese content attracted a high level of popularity.
The year of Attack on Titan.
A great number of cosplayers attended this year’s NYCC dressed as superheroes including Spider Man, Wolverine, Captain America, Batman, and Superman, as well as characters born in Japan like Naruto. Just setting foot inside the entrance to the Javits Convention Center felt like entering a Halloween party.
The cosplay that stood out in particular was characters from Attack on Titan. In fact, the Javits Convention Center was overrun with members of the Recon Squad. Commander Levi even appeared at the TOM booth, and there was no end to those who wanted to take a picture saluting with him.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth!
At this year’s NYCC, TOM had a booth! At the Mangapolo section of the booth, fans could enjoy reading manga via Mangapolo on YouTube that is mixed with sound. Many people displayed interest in this new style of experiencing manga. By the third day, our supply of free Mangapolo pin badges ran out.
Our exhibit of works by TOM Special Creators was also hugely popular, with many visitors ordering multiple works. There were even people who had deep knowledge of Japan’s moe culture and ardently said things like, “I love this kind of original doujin and I also attend the winter Comic Market.” There was also no shortage of visitors who couldn’t help but blurt out “Awesome!” and “Love it!” as they walked around inside the booth. To everyone who visited, thank you!
In the near future, TOM may come to visit a city near you… When we do, please stop by!
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
*Photo by Daiki Nakata*
