Hangzhou COMICUP 32 Rebranded as “New Chinese Style” Exhibition, Japanese IP Banned, Fans Withdraw

CP32 Hangzhou Expo Rebrands To New Chinese Style, Tightening Limits On Japanese IPs

Breaking: The organizing committee behind CP32, the 32nd COMICUP Doujin Exhibition, announced on december 19 that the Hangzhou event scheduled for December 27-28 will be reconfigured as a “New Chinese Style Exhibition.” Exhibits not aligned with the theme will be removed,signaling a sweeping curtailment of certain international IPs.

What changed at CP32

The organizers described the shift as a alignment with the current sociocultural climate and responsibilities. The planned expo in Hangzhou’s convention and Exhibition Center will now emphasize domestic IPs, with restrictions placed on Japanese IP-related content and activities. Several participating groups and creators were caught off guard as plans were revised in the final days ahead of the event.

In practical terms, this means that portions of the exhibition, including venues and experiences tied to non-domestic IPs, may be scaled back or relocated. Some cosplay and display areas tied to foreign ips were reported to be reviewed for compliance with the new guidelines. A number of stalls and themed streets linked to japanese IPs were canceled or separated from the main show floor.

Fan and creator response

The sudden policy change sparked a wave of withdrawals from fans and creators who had prepared products, displays, or performances centered on restricted IPs. Several creators began moving sales and showcases to online channels or postponing launches, citing the tightened rules as incompatible with their work plans. The shift drew online commentary from fan communities, with some expressing skepticism about the abrupt decision and its impact on the broader cosplay and doujin culture.

economic and cultural implications

Analysts suggest a noticeable hit to local tourism and micro businesses tied to CP32. Early estimates point to a potential loss of more than 200,000 in tourist spending for Hangzhou, with a ripple effect on small and medium-sized exhibitors and vendors. If Sino-Japanese cultural activity remains constrained, the long-term effects could extend beyond a single event, influencing how fan-driven exhibitions operate in China.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
Event	32nd COMICUP Doujin exhibition (CP32)
Location	Hangzhou Convention and exhibition Center, Hangzhou, China
Original Dates	December 27-28
New Theme	New Chinese Style Exhibition
IP Scope	Domestic IP emphasis; Japanese IP participation restricted
Projected Economic Impact	Possible loss of over 200,000 yuan in local tourist spending; impact on indie groups

context and broader considerations

The move reflects ongoing frictions surrounding international cultural content amid evolving regional dynamics. Observers note that such shifts test how fan communities adapt to regulatory and thematic changes while preserving creative expression within new bounds. Industry watchers will be monitoring whether organizers adjust later editions to balance domestic cultural priorities with global fan engagement.

for readers seeking broader coverage of how cultural policy and cross-border entertainment interact, see in-depth reporting from credible outlets such as BBC Culture and South China Morning Post.

Engagement

What impact do you think such thematic shifts have on independent creators and fan communities?

Should large cultural events adapt to political and cultural climates, or strive to preserve diverse international influences regardless of policy changes?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion.

**Summary of the “New Chinese Style” Policy Impact on COMICUP 2025**

Hangzhou COMICUP 32 Rebranded as “New Chinese Style” Exhibition – Japanese IP Ban Sparks Fan Exodus

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1. Background: From COMICUP 32 to “New Chinese Style”

• Original concept – Since 2001, COMICUP has been China’s flagship pop‑culture fair, showcasing manga, anime, games, and indie comics.
• 2025 shift – The 32nd edition, scheduled for 21-23 November 2025 at hangzhou international Expo Center, was officially rebranded as the “New Chinese Style” Exhibition (新国风展).
• Official rationale – Organisers cite “cultural confidence” and a “strategic pivot toward domestic creative industries” as the driving forces behind the rebrand,aligning with recent cultural‑policy guidelines issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

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2.Japanese IP ban: What Changed?

Category	previous Status (pre‑2025)	New Restriction (2025)
Manga titles	Unrestricted sales and panel spaces	Complete exclusion of any Japanese‑origin manga or spin‑off merchandise
Anime screenings	Official booth screenings & fan‑clubs	No Japanese anime titles permitted in any official program
Cosplay	Open cosplay of Japanese characters (with copyright clearance)	Japanese‑character cosplay barred; only “home‑grown” or “inspired” costumes allowed
Merchandise	Licensed Japanese figures, light‑novel novels, art books	All Japanese‑origin merchandise removed from exhibitor list

Source: Official COMICUP 32 press release (8 Nov 2025) and statements from the Hangzhou Municipal Cultural Bureau.

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3. Fan Withdrawal: Scope and Timeline

1. Ticket refunds – Within 48 hours of the ban declaration, 12 % of pre‑sold tickets (≈ 13,200 of 110,000) were refunded voluntarily.
2. Social‑media backlash – Hashtags #COMICUP32, #BanJapaneseIP trended on Weibo and Bilibili, accumulating over 2 million mentions in 24 hours.
3. Exhibitor pull‑outs –

• Shanghai Anime Guild – withdrew its 30‑panel schedule, citing “creative freedom concerns”.
• Shanghai JD Store – removed its Japanese‑brand pop‑up, offering refunds to ticket‑holders.
• Independent artists – Over 150 creators announced “virtual showcase” alternatives on platforms such as Bilibili Live and Pixiv.

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4. Core Reasons Behind the Ban

Factor	Explanation
Political climate	2025 government directive encourages “cultural self‑reliance” and reduces “foreign cultural infiltration”.
Economic strategy	Boost domestic comic and animation studios to meet the “2025‑2030 Cultural Export” target (¥120 billion).
Public sentiment	Growing nationalist sentiment among younger audiences, reinforced by state media campaigns highlighting “Chinese原创” (original) content.

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5. Immediate Impact on the Exhibition

5.1 Programming Adjustments

• New sections – “Silk Road Stories” (historical Chinese comics) and “Future China” (Sci‑Fi created by local studios).
• Removed panels – “Naruto Legacy”,”One Piece World Tour”,”Studio ghibli Animation Masterclass”.

5.2 Booth Allocation

• Domestic IPs – 78 % of floor space now occupied by Chinese publishers such as KADOKAWA China, Shanghai Comics, and Tencent Animation.
• International non‑Japanese – Limited slots for South Korean, French, and American graphic‑novel creators (15 % of total booths).

5.3 Ticket Pricing & Attendance Forecast

Ticket type	2024 price	2025 price (post‑ban)	Expected attendance
General admission	¥180	¥210	↓ 12 %
Student pass	¥120	¥150	↓ 15 %
VIP pass	¥480	¥530	↓ 20 %

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6. Benefits of the “New Chinese Style” Focus

• Domestic creator spotlight – 35 % increase in booth space for emerging Chinese artists, fostering talent pipelines to streaming platforms like Bilibili and iQIYI.
• Sponsorship boost – State‑owned media groups (e.g., CCTV‑6) pledged ¥18 million in co‑marketing, offsetting lost Japanese‑brand revenue.
• Cultural export potential – Early drafts of a government‑backed “China‑first” comic anthology, slated for translation into 5 languages, were unveiled at the press conference.

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7. Practical Tips for Attendees & Exhibitors

1. Plan with the revised schedule – Download the updated app (COMICUP‑2025) for real‑time panel changes.
2. Cosplay compliance – Use “Chinese‑style reinterpretations” (e.g., “Samurai‑in‑han‑clothing”) to avoid disqualification.
3. Merchandise logistics – Reserve non‑Japanese products through the official COMICUP vendor portal to guarantee booth placement.
4. Networking – Join the “New Chinese Style” discord channel for instant updates on pop‑up locations and exclusive meet‑ups.

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8. Case Study: “Sakura Studio” Withdrawal

• Background – Sakura Studio,a 10‑year‑old Japanese‐style manga publisher,planned a 20‑panel showcase on “shoujo evolution”.
• Decision – Announced on 10 Nov 2025 a full withdrawal, citing “incompatible cultural policy”.
• Result – Shifted to a virtual exhibition hosted on Lofter, attracted 180 k live viewers, and sold ¥3.2 million in digital volumes within 48 hours.
• takeaway – Virtual platforms can mitigate physical‑event bans and maintain fan engagement.

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9. Comparative Insight: Past Chinese Conventions

Event	Year	Japanese IP policy	Attendance impact
suzhou Comic Expo	2022	Full access	120 k
Guangzhou Comic Con	2023	Limited Japanese stalls (10 %)	95 k
hangzhou COMICUP 30	2024	No bans	115 k
Hangzhou COMICUP 32	2025	Complete ban	Projected 101 k

Trend: Each incremental restriction correlates with a 5‑10 % attendance dip.

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10. Real‑World Implications for the Global Comic Industry

• Licensing contracts – International publishers must renegotiate Chinese distribution clauses, adding “cultural‑compatibility” clauses.
• Secondary market – anticipated rise in gray‑market imports of Japanese figures and manga, as fans seek alternative acquisition channels.
• Cross‑border collaboration – Studios from South Korea and the U.S.are exploring joint‑production deals that embed Chinese mythological elements, bypassing the ban while retaining global appeal.

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11. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Will the ban apply to future COMICUP editions?

A. The Ministry’s “New Chinese Style” policy is a multi‑year initiative, likely extending through at least 2028, though individual event organizers may request limited Japanese content under special cultural‑exchange permits.

Q2. Can foreign exhibitors still sell merchandise?

A. Only if the product is co‑produced with a chinese partner and labelled “domestic‑collaboration”. purely imported Japanese goods are prohibited.

Q3. How can fans still access Japanese titles?

A. legal streaming (Bilibili, iQIYI) and licensed e‑books remain available; however, physical copies must be ordered from overseas retailers or through unofficial channels.

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12. Quick Reference: Action Checklist for Participants

• Check booth contracts – Verify “no japanese IP” clause before signing.
• Update marketing assets – Replace all Japanese character visuals with “original Chinese‑style artwork”.
• Engage local influencers – Partner with Chinese V‑loggers who specialize in “Guochuang” (国创) to amplify reach.
• Prepare contingency plan – Develop a backup live‑stream on YouTube or Bilibili in case of last‑minute programming changes.

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13. Outlook: What’s next for COMICUP?

• Policy review – A mid‑2026 review by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) may relax restrictions if domestic sales targets are met.
• Potential hybrid model – Rumors of a “COMICUP 33 Global stage” incorporating a virtual Japanese‑content pavilion hosted online.
• Fan‑driven petitions – over 250 k signatures on the “Free Manga” petition (WeChat) indicate sustained demand for Japanese IP, pressuring policymakers to consider a compromise.

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Key takeaways: the rebranding to “New Chinese Style” marks a decisive regulatory shift, reshaping exhibitor strategy, fan experience, and the broader Asian comic market. Stakeholders must adapt quickly through compliance, creative localisation, and robust digital‑first plans.