China’s largest comic convention has announced a sweeping policy change that will dramatically reshape its upcoming event, requiring all content to focus exclusively on domestic properties.
COMICUP, the nation’s premier doujinshi and fan-creation marketplace, revealed on December 19 that its December 27-28 convention will operate under a “New Chinese Style-only” format. The announcement means Japanese anime, manga and related cosplay will no longer be permitted at the event, which takes place twice annually and attracts thousands of artists, vendors and fans.
According to the organizing committee’s statement, any booths or displays that fail to comply with the new requirements will be removed from the venue. The responsibility falls on exhibitors themselves to determine whether their content meets the revised standards.
The organizing committee explained the decision followed “comprehensive consideration of the current social environment and cultural responsibility.”
The abrupt shift has created uncertainty throughout China’s fan communities. While no official ban list has been published, unverified reports spreading across Chinese social media suggest enforcement will be strict. Some claims indicate cosplayers wearing costumes based on non-Chinese intellectual properties may be turned away at entry points, and that staff members will conduct inspections throughout the venue to monitor compliance.
The policy change has already prompted numerous cancellations from exhibitors, particularly those operating doujin booths. Concerns are mounting about whether attendance will drop significantly given that Japanese anime and manga have traditionally represented a substantial portion of the merchandise, fan works and cosplay at COMICUP events.
This development follows a pattern of increasing restrictions on Japanese entertainment properties in China. Earlier in December, the theatrical run of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle reportedly concluded without warning after regulators chose not to grant a standard extension, despite box office numbers that would typically justify continued screenings.
Additional titles have encountered similar obstacles in recent weeks. Detective Conan: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper, the latest Crayon Shin-chan release, and the live-action adaptation of Cells at Work! have all faced postponements or delays without clear timelines for future release dates.
The situation has generated widespread discussion across China’s cosplay and fan-creation communities, with creators questioning what the policy shift means for future events and the broader landscape of fan culture in the country.