Station B offline exhibition BW2023 ends today, what attracts more than 100,000 visitors?
This afternoon, BilibiliWorld 2023 (BW), an offline exhibition created by Bilibili (Station B), closed at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. In just one weekend, the exhibition attracted more than 100,000 visitors from all over the country. Since its first event in 2017, BW has attracted a large number of young visitors to Shanghai every summer, and this year's first round of tickets went on sale in 7 minutes. What is the charm of this exhibition?
Meet him/her in the second dimension
The Undecided Event Book game booth in Hall 3 is one of BW's most popular booths, thanks to four "undecided heads" who have become the top of the second dimension. Different from general cosplay (role-playing), the four male protagonists of "Undetermined Event Book" wear exquisite black suits, but their heads are cute version of the characters' hoods, which not only have a "contrast cute" that collides with cuteness and handsomeness, but also focus on restoring the two-dimensional image when the game characters enter reality. Many players went straight to the booth as soon as they entered the venue, just to line up to interact with the "big heads" and see the characters in the game firsthand.
Caption: The undecided "big head" male protagonist attracts players to queue up for interaction Photo by Xinmin Evening News reporter Wu Xuying
In the digital age, the cultural life of young people has also undergone earth-shaking changes - good friends are netizens thousands of miles away, favorite "stars" are fictional characters, and even watching live broadcasts is also an animation-style virtual anchor host. Virtual anchors have a whimsical story background that real anchors do not have, some of them are future people who have traveled from hundreds of years later, and some are elves from the wizarding world, telling wonderful stories of the "past" in videos and live broadcasts, while creating new chapters with the audience. These virtual humans, which should only exist on computers and mobile phones, "come" to the BW site with technical equipment, and the power of technology allows characters in the virtual world and real-world fans to meet across dimensions. For young people who love two-dimensional culture, this is both a novel experience and a dream come true.
It's a place where you can show yourself
Many of the young people who participated in the comic convention attended in full costume. Some of them changed into Hanfu, some wore Lolita little skirts, some dressed up as fluffy little beasts, and some cosplayed favorite anime characters. Even if you don't change your outfit, you have to carry a "pain bag" full of anime peripherals to show your love. In fact, on the streets of Shanghai on holidays, you can often see similar two-dimensional youths, whose personality dresses do not attract strange eyes, but always receive praise. The tolerance and openness of the city have given birth to a strong two-dimensional cultural atmosphere.
Comic Con such as BW, which is rooted in Shanghai, is just as inclusive and open. In front of the booth of the game "Destiny Crown Designation", a coser who plays the game character Enkidu was "asked for a group photo" by many players, although she was wig, clothes, and equipment, but she did not wear heavy and delicate makeup. She admits that when cosplay has just emerged in China, some requirements are quite demanding, not only to make up extremely restored, but even to have a body and appearance that are a little similar to the character. Now coming to participate in the Shanghai Comic Con, "cosplay no longer has any threshold, clothing is easy to buy online, and everyone is very tolerant and friendly to cosers." As long as you like it, you can try it. I usually want to wear subcultural outfits that I don't dare to wear or can't wear, and it's no problem to wear them to comic conventions. "This year's BW has tailored the "Dress Party" exhibition area for visitors who like Hanfu, JK uniforms and Lolita costumes, so that everyone can show themselves to the fullest.
Caption: BW can meet coser Xinmin Evening News reporter Wu Xuying at the scene
"Social fear" can become "social cattle" in seconds
"Which role did you draw?" Can I exchange with you? "You can hear this question at many of BW's booths selling anime merchandise. After purchasing blind box peripheral products, many consumers will "pick up" passers-by in order to change to their favorite role. Some booths also thoughtfully set up a special "exchange area" to facilitate everyone to gather and communicate. Some people simply line up all the items they want to exchange and "set up stalls" on the spot and wait for those who are destined for. After exchanging and chatting about a few favorite works, the "stall owner" and "customer" became friends.
Of course, there are many new friends at the exhibition site, and there are many old friends. As one of the cities with the strongest two-dimensional cultural atmosphere in China, the holding of each comic exhibition has become a "clarion call" to attract fans from all over the world to Shanghai. Many netizens who have met because of a barrage, a comment, and a game, and have been chatting online for many years because of similar interests, choose to meet and party at BW site. Maybe some people will be a little shy when they meet for the first time, but the common topic of the second dimension will always make everyone open the chatterbox unconsciously.
In front of people with common hobbies, two-dimensional lovers who usually love to stay at home to watch animation and play games have also become "social". Love has become their strength to overcome "social fear"; Love has also become the reason for a generation of young people to maintain a positive attitude towards life. Station B has built an online communication platform for two-dimensional groups, and BW has expanded this platform to real life, which is also its charm to attract young people. (Reporter Wu Xuying)