Beijing International Animation Festival 2025 Held—*Chensouman* Cosplay, *Street Fighter* Experience, and More Japanese Content Popular
From August 16th to 17th, 2025, the Beijing International Animation Festival (ICOS) captivated countless anime fans, exhibitors, and guests at the National Convention Center. This dynamic event, proudly hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture, aimed to promote anime culture, showcase a wide array of merchandise, and deliver interactive entertainment experiences. Join us as we dive into the highlights of this exciting festival!
Spanning two full days, the festival was open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, with early entry at 8:30 AM for those holding advance tickets. The event’s rich program featured extensive displays of anime-related products, from toys to elaborate costumes, alongside thrilling cosplay performances, exclusive guest autograph sessions, and engaging interactive stage activities. A strong emphasis was placed on a “zero piracy” policy, ensuring that only officially licensed IPs from China, Japan, and Western regions were showcased and integrated.
The Animation Festival was cleverly divided into three distinct zones to cater to all attendees. The Main Stage Performance area hosted exciting guest interactions and vibrant song and dance contests. The Interactive Entertainment Area was a hub for game trials and anime merchandise sales. Finally, the Business Negotiation Area provided a dedicated space for B2B collaborations, fostering industry growth.
As always, the cosplay contest remained a massive crowd-pleaser and a core attraction of the festival. Cosplayers, brimming with creativity and passion, flawlessly transformed into their beloved characters, ranging from popular Japanese anime figures to stunning original Chinese-style designs. Their exquisite costumes, impeccable makeup, and expressive performances conjured a fantastical world that transcended dimensions right on stage.
After enjoying the captivating cosplay song and dance performances and meeting their favorite characters, attendees could even negotiate with cosplayers for a commemorative photo. This cherished act of taking photos with cosplayers is affectionately known as “collecting stamps” (集郵) in China, much like collecting stamps in an album.
Once those precious photos were taken, many fans flocked to the Interactive Entertainment Area. Here, they could dive into the latest game releases, test their skills, and even challenge other players in head-to-head matches. It’s worth noting that Capcom’s legendary game, *Street Fighter*, enjoys immense popularity in China and has made numerous appearances at various Chinese anime festivals.
Another major draw of any anime festival is the vibrant market for anime merchandise and the exciting promotions for new releases. Game and anime developers eagerly utilize these festivals as prime opportunities to promote their latest works. For instance, at this particular festival, iQiyi (one of China’s most famous video platforms) heavily promoted their newest anime productions, *Matianji* and *Canglan Jue 2*. As a promotional tactic, they generously distributed free posters, cards, and other goodies to visitors.
Furthermore, merchandise booths often feature event-exclusive items, making them highly sought-after collector’s treasures. This festival boasted a diverse range of anime goods, including books, badges, acrylic stands, and meticulously crafted figures.
The Beijing International Animation Festival has evolved beyond a mere exhibition; it has become a crucial platform for connecting Chinese and international anime cultures and driving innovation within the industry. It’s widely known that Japan’s anime industry flourished early, and in the past, initial anime-related events in China were almost exclusively dominated by Japanese anime works. However, today, Japanese anime no longer holds the sole spotlight. The festival now brings together anime and games from various regions—China, Europe, America, and beyond—solidifying its position as an important platform for exchange and exhibition for anime fans and creators worldwide.
《Li Qiyuan》
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