Guangzhou Animation & Game Expo – China Comic Festival

The Value of Participating in the Guangzhou Anime & Game Expo (CICF×AGF)

• A nationally supported, flagship anime and game expo—the largest comprehensive event of its kind in China. Co‑hosted by the National Press and Publication Administration and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, this expo is one of the three key anime and game events prioritized under the national “12th Five-Year Plan” for cultural development. Over more than a decade, it has evolved from the “Guangzhou Anime Carnival” to the “China International Comics Festival & Anime Game Expo,” and now co‑hosts the Asia Game Festival (AGF), establishing itself as the largest pop‑culture complex in Southern China. The 18th edition expanded its exhibition space to over 82,000 square meters, maintaining its position as the nation’s largest and most robust anime and game gathering.
• Comprehensive coverage of the entire industry chain, bringing together the world’s leading anime and game brands. The expo attracted more than 1,000 top global brands, showcasing over 7,000 IP‑related products. Exhibitors include well‑known domestic and international names such as Tencent Games, NetEase Games, Bilibili, Bandai Namco, miHoYo, China Literature, as well as game developers like Ubisoft, Xishanju, 37Games, and Lingxi Interactive Entertainment. The venue layout is diverse, featuring commercial zones, autograph stages, interactive platforms, gashapon areas, and more, catering to everything from hardcore fans to casual “second‑dimensional” users.
• Internationalization of the Golden Dragon Awards, setting the tone for innovation in the anime industry. As the flagship competition of the comics festival, the China Animation Golden Dragon Awards officially announced a plan to invest RMB 30 million between 2026 and 2028 in brand upgrades and international expansion. Fifty percent of the awards will be specifically allocated to overseas participants, with a judging panel comprising experts from overseas universities and industry leaders, ensuring that international judges account for at least 40% of the selection process. Concurrently, the expo hosts the Golden Dragon Awards ceremony, the national finals of the COSPLAY Super Contest, the Star Dance Galaxy National Home‑Dance Competition, and the AGF “Play Out Fame” King of All‑Stars tournament, among other official events.
• Pioneering the “citywide联动” model, creating new immersive cultural consumption scenarios. Breaking free from the confines of the exhibition hall, the expo collaborated with over 20 commercial complexes to establish satellite venues, launching 10 anime‑game themed bus routes and anime‑themed night cruises along the Pearl River, connecting key landmarks throughout Guangzhou. Through initiatives like “Pain Bus,” themed hotels, and co‑branded dining options, the expo extended its reach across the city, bringing anime and game culture beyond the exhibition halls and fostering a citywide “fan festival” with broad public participation. This innovative approach has significantly boosted “second‑dimensional” consumption, spurring high‑quality growth across various emerging industries and providing fresh impetus for Guangzhou’s integrated development of culture, commerce, tourism, and sports.
• Leveraging the Greater Bay Area’s industrial strengths to support China’s IP‑export strategy. Guangdong’s gaming sector accounts for nearly 80% of the national market share, while its animation output represents one‑third of the national total. Supported by the toy manufacturing clusters of Dongguan and Chaoshan, the annual retail value of related derivatives exceeds RMB 5 billion. The expo features dedicated gaming zones and mini‑game sections, offering creative teams valuable opportunities for business matchmaking. Meanwhile, the Golden Dragon Awards’ global touring initiative has officially kicked off, with the inaugural theme “Chinese School: Contemporary Expression,” forging partnerships with overseas universities, art museums, and festivals. For enterprises, participating in CICF×AGF serves as a strategic springboard to integrate into the Greater Bay Area’s industrial ecosystem, connect with global resources, and expand both domestic and international markets.