Bilibili World 2026 was held in Shanghai from July 10 to 12, drawing about 400,000 visitors from more than 30 countries and regions. As one of Asia's largest gatherings for ACGN, meaning animation, comics, games and novels, this year's event also opened ticket sales to overseas fans for the first time.
The scene was lively: 170 global exhibitors set up displays, more than 60,000 cosplayers appeared, and nearly 1,000 itasha, vehicles decorated with ACGN-themed artwork, were shown together. Fans from different countries met in one venue, brought together by a shared passion.
A passion that crosses borders
The Russian cosplay duo Medovvika and Armeyes came to China for a second time, this year dressed as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Disney's animation. Medovvika had wigs custom-made by Chinese artisans, saying only Chinese wigmakers know how to make the wig light, beautiful and detailed, and adding that Chinese cosplay is on another level when it comes to craftsmanship and detail.
Many well-known guests also appeared, including Cambodia's Princess Norodom Jenna, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, South Korean YouTuber Kim Chae-ho, and Americans Allison and Alberto Franco. Allison, who has more than 1.2 million social media followers, applied for a passport specially for the trip, saying everyone has been so kind and gone out of their way to make sure we have a great experience.
An industry seen through the show
Opening ticket sales to overseas fans for the first time is a signal of this year's event: China's ACGN culture is drawing more and more attention from around the world. With 400,000 visitors, 170 exhibitors and fans from more than 30 countries and regions, the show sketches an ever-expanding fan-verse.
From cosplay to itasha, from merchandise to content, ACGN has long grown beyond simple entertainment into an industrial ecosystem connecting creators, companies and fans worldwide. This gathering in Shanghai is a snapshot of that vitality.
