First Chongqing Anime Carnival Kicks Off

Chongqing - The inaugural Cyber Mountain City · Chongqing Anime Carnival began in Yubei District, Southwest China's Chongqing on Friday. 

On June 21, 2024, the inaugural Cyber Mountain City · Chongqing Anime Carnival began in Yubei District, southwest China's Chongqing. (Photo/The event organizer)

The two-day event features a series of activities, including the opening ceremony of the Chongqing Anime Carnival, the launch ceremony of the Chongqing Anime Industry Park, the city's first anime venture capital conference, an anime project outsourcing conference, a specialized anime company job fair, the first Chongqing online literature and national anime industry dialogue, three anime art exhibitions, and six themed sharing sessions. 

On June 21, 2024, the inaugural Cyber Mountain City · Chongqing Anime Carnival began in Yubei District, southwest China's Chongqing. (Photo/The event organizer)

Zhu Mao, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, emphasized the commission's and related districts' collaborative efforts in planning and establishing Chongqing's first anime industry park. "After three years of effort, we have successfully launched the city's first anime industry park in collaboration with the Yubei District government." 

Zhu highlighted the importance of these initiatives in advancing Chongqing's anime industry, promoting the integration of the digital culture industry, and fostering the development of cultural tourism.

Zhu Mao, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, delivered a speech. (Photo/The event organizer)

Wu Tao, Deputy District Mayor of Yubei District, said, "The anime industry, centered on 'creativity,' integrates various elements such as culture, digital technology, and science, playing a vital role in the cultural and tourism sectors. Chongqing, known as the '8D Magical Cyber City,' shares anime's vibrant and innovative spirit. With the support of 'Digital Chongqing' initiative, we are actively developing new digital scenarios and nurturing digital industries. The Chongqing Anime Industry Park aims to drive the full-chain development of the anime industry, creating a diverse and open anime industry cluster and infusing new vitality into the city's digital cultural tourism."

The event also featured keynote speeches by industry experts such as Wu Yunchu, Zhang Chi, and Xia Yang. Renowned artists like Li Huan showcased their works. Over 150 leading anime and related companies nationwide participated in the event.

Eight entities, including Hangzhou Baima Lake Eco-Creative City and Chengdu Yunding Animation, signed agreements for residency and cooperation with the park. The LOG Art Museum, Chongqing's first anime and trend art museum, was also established in the park.

Agreements for residency and cooperation were signed between the park and eight entities. (Photo/The event organizer)

Six original anime projects were presented during the venture capital conference, attracting significant interest from companies like China Film Niannian (Beijing) Culture Media Co Ltd, Suzhou Fengyun Animation Co Ltd, and Junyixin (Beijing) Culture Media Co Ltd, which collectively offered over 20 million yuan (about USD 2.75 million) in anime production orders.

Top anime companies, such as Colored-Pencil Animation Design and Chongqing Shimei Animation Art, Co Ltd, provided over 200 high-quality job opportunities, drawing over a thousand anime talents to apply. 

The Qian Jiajun Teachers and Students Animation Art Literature Exhibition showcased hundreds of works and historical documents from the famous anime artist and educator Qian Jiajun and his disciples, offering attendees a glimpse into the history of Chinese animation and the timeless charm of classic animation aesthetics.

The event also included an impressive display of thousands of anime art pieces, trendy toys, and cultural and creative derivatives. Traditional crafts like dough figurine making, filigree inlaying, sugar painting, paper cutting, palm weaving, and flower arrangement were beautifully integrated into the anime space, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.