Space curry fires up geeky feast

Japanese animation expo C3, the 'Cultural Convention of Characters' drew 13,000 visitors last year, however, 50,000 are expected to visit the show on August 24 and 25 in Tokyo.

A remarkable success, particularly during an economic downturn where creditors outnumber visitors at many expos. So how did this distinctly geeky exhibition manage to boost its numbers 300 per cent?

Space curry.

Red Dwarf, the British science fiction comedy series that has not been seen on Hong Kong screens for more years than we care to remember, is enjoying a second burst of life in Japan, with 2.9 million viewers beaming in.

Miyuki Kinoshita, marketing manager of BBC Worldwide Japan, said broadcaster NHK was producing 'T-shirts, a fan, a ballpoint pen set, double file, telephone cards, card case, postcards, curry, poster, mugs, Kryten mask, badges, and home decor banners. A mobile phone strip, collectible pins, Holly screen mascot, an official guide and cat cookies are in development'.

Red Dwarf star Dave Lister once described his favourite dish as 'a chicken vindaloo, kamikaze hot, with a fire extinguisher on stand-by'.