HONG KONG: Creativity, turning loose the imagination, and even a chance to win money is what this year's Ani-Com and Games 2009 Fair at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre is all about. On Friday the fair is back for its 11th straight year.

The theme this year is "Fountain of Creativity". Providing a spurt of inspiration is the "Supernova Original Comics Contest", which gives young comic talents a chance to showcase their creations, while competing for the HK$10,000 top prize.

If past years are anything to go by, comic book geeks and sword-wielding cosplayers will materialize by the dozens, packing the halls and giving the exhibition an otherworldly buzz.

By yesterday afternoon, about 20 enthusiasts were already queued up outside the venue in Wan Chai.

The five-day event will feature comic, cosplay, dance and music competitions, as well as comedy acts, pageants, and autograph sessions.

Comics, action figures and limited edition collectibles will be showcased at over 400 booths. More than a hundred companies are taking part.

The fair will see the debut of a new videos game about the flu - yes, the A (H1N1) virus. How real can it get? Not that real actually: anti-flu video warriors will have firearms for zapping the virus and if they miss, there are supplies of Tamiflu around for restoring health points.

Well-known artists like Wong Yuk-long, Lee Chi-ching, John Ho, Craig Au Yeung, Yeung Hok-tak and Kiminori Wakasugi are expected to attend the "Masters' Autographs Session".

The fair's chief executive, Leung Chung-poon, said the event will be chock-full of games and toys. He's predicting a visitor turnout of over 620,000.

And if those teen models, who created such a stir at the Hong Kong Book Fair, happen to turn up, Leung said they are welcome.

"Promotion girls have attended game fairs all these years. There is nothing wrong with them. They are not breaking the law. They can wear swimsuits if they want to," he said.

The first 300 visitors through the doors for Friday's opening will be awarded a special commemorative certificate, Leung said.

(HK Edition 07/29/2009 page1)