Hong Kong Ani-Com 2023: comics, gaming fans form 300-metre queue outside convention centre as annual festival opens
- Vendors expect brisk business, noting much larger turnout than in previous years
- Priority ticket holders also have to queue up according to numbers allocated in their raffle tickets
Hundreds of comics and gaming fans converged on the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Friday morning for the annual Ani-Com show, with the queue outside the venue spanning 300 metres in sweltering heat.
The line for Ani-Com and Games Hong Kong 2023 snaked from the convention site to the Great Eagle Centre as enthusiasts vied to be among the first to snap up event exclusives on opening day, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit).
Henry Lai Chun-hang was first in line, as he had won a priority ticket through a raffle held by organisers. “I was shocked when I got the No 2 priority ticket,” the 18-year-old fan said.
Priority ticket holders are allowed to enter the venue in sequence according to their ticket numbers, but the No 1 holder did not show up, making way for Lai.
The priority tickets allowed holders to grab limited-edition products before others.
“I just wanted to play around or be the first to rush into the hall,” said Lai, a student who just finished his university-entrance examination.