The 12th Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong Fair is much more than a fair of comics and games. It is the biggest, once-a-year stage for the city's cosplayers. Edmond Tang reports.

The rows of the booths in the Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong Fair that finished Tuesday are full of people dressed up as their favourite characters from comic books, video games, or manga movies walking around to attract attention and the spotlight.

Many of them are followed by busy shutterbugs, who take picture after picture to capture every movement of these cosplayers.

But don't think cosplay is just about dressing in exaggerated costumes and posing. Players have to do a lot of homework even after deciding what character they will transform into. They have to know the background and personality of the characters and imitate their speech, all in an effort to get into the role.

Cosplayers care about their fancy customs most. From selecting cloth materials to tailoring dresses and accessories, they won't miss a tiny detail but try to be faithful to the original as much as possible.

Real cosplay lovers do enjoy the process. They find tremendous contentment in making perfect dresses as well as lively playing the roles they love.

(HK Edition 08/07/2010 page3)