Connichi 2024 in Wiesbaden: Cosplay, manga and anime | hessenschau.de

This year, the Connichi in Wiesbaden very special guests: Sailor Moon, Ruffy from A piece and even Asterix are among the characters that will be brought to life at Germany's largest, volunteer-organized anime and manga convention. In addition to workshops, a Japanese summer festival and fan meetings, three cosplay competitions are the highlights of the event.

The organizers are expecting 40,000 fans in the RheinMain CongressCenter, which will become the new venue in 2023 after two decades in Kassel. The move is intended to offer visitors more space and numerous new options.

Video contribution

video

02:59 mins |06.09.24, 19:30|hensschau

Manga convention Connichi started in Wiesbaden

video

End of video

Colorful, inclusive and family-friendly despite its size

“We are a super colorful event, very inclusive, and we are just happy to be in Wiesbaden,” says Valerie Adam, spokesperson and co-organizer of Connichi. In 2005, as a teenager, she attended her first Connichi and was immediately enthusiastic. “I said to my father: 'You have to drive me to Kassel now, I want to go there now!'”

When she entered the Congress Palace, she felt like she was in another world. “It was so wonderful. You quickly felt at home.”

The Connichi team will maintain this family atmosphere in Wiesbaden. “We don't want to be a trade fair, but a convention where fans can help shape the program,” says Adam. Regular visitor surveys ensure that the community's wishes are taken into account.

Manga has arrived in society

And this community is growing steadily. Manga-style comic books are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. “It's a trend, it's very popular and it has grown in recent years,” explains Felix Giesa from the Institute for Youth literature research the Goethe University Frankfurt.

For people who didn't grow up with manga, this may seem like a novelty. “But it's a widespread phenomenon, especially among young people,” says Giesa, “and has been for at least 10 years.”

Moving was urgently needed

Since 2002, the association Animexx Connichi annually, with constantly growing visitor numbers. After 20 years in Kassel, the spatial capacity limits had been reached, explains Adam. “Whenever we wanted to do and try something new, an old program item had to be canceled because we simply didn't have the space.” So in 2023 the event moved to Wiesbaden to the larger RheinMain CongressCenter.

More space and trips to photo shoots

The additional space offers the opportunity for fan meetings with influencers and celebrities from the scene. The dealer area has also been expanded and now has space for 250 exhibitors to sell their drawings and handicrafts.

There is also a lot to discover away from the CongressCenter. A cooperation with the Wiesbaden “THermine-Bahn” allows visitors to reach sights such as the Neroberg and use them as a photo motif – for example for cosplay shoots. Other popular cosplay photo spots are the Villa Clementine and the Kurhaus.

Cosplay: From photo shoot to competition

Ambitious cosplayers can also compete directly against each other with their costumes at Connichi: The convention offers three cosplay competitions: the preliminary round for the Cosplay European Championship, the preliminary round for the World Cosplay Summit and the Connichi cosplay competition itself.

The rules have been adapted for the Connichi cosplay competition: The costumes do not have to be made by the participants themselves, as is often the case. The main focus is on performance rather than craftsmanship. This means that newcomers should also have the opportunity to continue.

Slurping noodles and karaoke duels

The program through smaller competitions such as the Connichi artwork competition, karaoke duels and the legendary noodle slurping competition, where fans can prove their speed in eating ramen. The current record for a portion of ramen is 7.94 seconds.

Away from the competitions, Japanese food stalls and Japanese summer games at the Matsuri festival provide an authentic Nippon feeling in Hesse.

Valerie Adam emphasizes that you don't have to be a cosplay fan to feel at home at Connichi. “The scene is also very receptive. They're happy to welcome anyone who's interested.” Be it anime and manga, cosplay or just Japan in general.

Editorial staff:
Katrin Kimpel

Broadcast:
hr-television, hessenschau,

06.09.24, 19:30

Source: hessenschau.de

Published on 06.09.24 at 09:46