Taipei: Noriko Hidaka, the voice of Satsuki Kusakabe in the 1988 Japanese animated fantasy film "My Neighbor Totoro," will hold a meet-and-greet on Feb. 9 at this year's Taipei International Comics and Animation Festival. The festival, now in its 13th edition, will run from Feb. 6 to Feb. 10 at the Nangang International Exhibition Center's Hall 1, and promises to draw an audience of 480,000 visitors.
According to Focus Taiwan, the event is organized by the Taiwan-based Chinese Animation and Comic Publishers Association and will feature over 100 exhibitors. Hidaka, making her first return to Taiwan in 12 years, expressed gratitude to her local fans through a prerecorded video, acknowledging their continued warmth and passion.
In addition to Hidaka's appearance, Shion Wakayama, the voice actress behind Momo Ayase in the anime series "Dandadan," is scheduled to engage with fans on Feb. 8. The festival will not only offer anime and manga-related merchandise but also host music performances and signing events over its five-day span.
The association anticipates this year's festival to generate NT$250 million (US$7.63 million) in revenue, reflecting the growing popularity and economic significance of anime and manga culture in Taiwan.