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China’s largest comic convention, COMICUP, has effectively banned Japanese anime and manga from its upcoming event after organizers announced a sudden shift to a “New Chinese Style–only” format.
The decision was announced on Dec 19, just days before the convention is scheduled to take place on Dec 27–28 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Organizers said all exhibits that do not align with the new theme will be removed.
The ban, which comes amid rising political tensions between China and Japan, has prompted widespread exhibitor cancellations and raised concerns over a sharp drop in attendance.
COMICUP is held twice a year and is considered the largest doujinshi and fan-creation marketplace in China. The event traditionally features fan works, merchandise and cosplay tied to both Chinese and foreign properties, with Japanese anime and manga forming a significant portion of its content.
In their statement, the organizing committee said the change was made after “comprehensive consideration of the current social environment and cultural responsibility.”
Although organizers have stated that exhibitors are responsible for judging whether their content complies with the new rules, unverified information circulating on Chinese social media suggests stricter enforcement on the ground. Posts claim that cosplayers portraying non-Chinese IP characters may be denied entry and that staff will conduct inspections inside the venue to ensure compliance.
The exclusion of Japanese IP is expected to significantly affect turnout. According to reports, a substantial decline in visitor numbers is anticipated, with estimates suggesting that Hangzhou could lose more than 200,000 potential tourism visits linked to the event.
Reports indicated that large-scale cancellations, particularly among doujin booths, have also occurred.
The COMICUP decision comes amid a series of recent restrictions on Japanese entertainment in China, particularly in the anime and manga.
In December 2025, the theatrical run of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle ended abruptly after regulators declined to grant the film a standard release extension. The decision was officially attributed to “unavoidable circumstances,” despite box office performance that would typically support a longer run.
Other Japanese anime films have faced similar uncertainty. Screenings of Detective Conan: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper and the latest Crayon Shin-chan movie have been postponed indefinitely, alongside the live-action adaptation of Cells at Work!, with no revised release schedules announced.
In late November, Japanese singer Maki Otsuki was escorted offstage during a performance in Shanghai, while scheduled Sailor Moon live stage shows in China were also canceled.
Source: China Statistics
