2025 Hsinchu Animation & Comics Festival

The 2025 Hsinchu Animation & Comics Festival, Comics Creator Fest, was held under the theme “Fearless Youth, Boundless Dreams.” Bringing together more than 20 original comic artists and creative teams from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, the festival wove visual storytelling, character-driven experiences, and immersive interaction into a multisensory narrative in which comics and the city co-created meaning.
The event marked a significant milestone with the first-ever participation of internationally renowned animation creators. Comics were no longer presented as static displays, but were transformed into fully embodied spaces that audiences could enter, experience, and engage with on multiple sensory levels.
The festival showcased some of Asia’s most celebrated creators. Highlights included Japanese manga artist Makuyo Yamamoto’s Hide My Favorite Idol and South Korean creator Heenari’s psychological suspense work Suspect of Truth. Also featured was Baby Princess by Stonehead, a subversive fairy tale that reimagined innocence and power. Together, these works demonstrated how contemporary Asian storytelling continues to expand narratives of love, memory, identity, and selfhood.
Comics Creator Fest also presented a range of three-dimensional, experiential programs. One of the most anticipated highlights was the first visit to Taiwan by the creative team behind the hit Japanese anime "Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End," including director Keiichiro Saito and producer Yuichiro Fukushi. Exclusive autograph sessions and creative talks offered fans rare opportunities to meet the creators behind the scenes, further strengthening international exchange within the festival.
Specially designed for the festival, an immersive live-action role-playing (LARP) game, Elf Hunt in Hsinchu City—a recipient of four IAA Awards—was staged in Hsinchu’s historic old town. Players completed yokai-themed quests while navigating local landmarks, creating a fantastical urban journey that merged animation, history, and place.
Beyond international participation, the festival deepened its connection with the city through strong local engagement. Hsinchu-based comic artists collaborated with six local schools to co-curate exhibitions, highlighting youthful creativity and emerging talent.
Comics Creator Fest has since established itself as more than a fan-oriented event, becoming a vital platform for original content, youth creativity, and cultural exchange in Hsinchu, attracting 95,000 participants over the two-day event.