Movie Comic Media Expo at ExCel

Movie Comic Media Expo at ExCel

28 October, 2008
by: Sherbet

You're dressed to the nines in a mini-skirted version of a blue and white sailor uniform, complimented by a neon blue wig and knee high white socks attempting to mimic your favourite anime character, Sailor Neptune.  It's not Halloween yet, and it may seem an odd outfit to casually wear on the DLR in the afternoon for any other time of the year, but this weekend is the Movie Comic and Media (MCM) Expo at the ExCel Centre.

Inappropriately held on the same weekend as a Muslim fair in the opposite room, teenage girls wearing nothing more than the gear you could buy from the back section of Ann Summers were met with the shocked faces of hijab-wearing Muslim Londoners hoping to celebrate world peace. I guess tolerance was practiced on this occasion.

Catering for the kind of teen you'd see teased in most Disney storylines, MCM is a haven for like-minded souls dressing up in the anime idols holding up handwritten signs saying “Free Hugs”. And they do mean it, finding no barrier we usually reserve for public outings and especially on the Underground, a menagerie of vibrant Power Rangers embraces with loving arms passers-by trying to make their way down the crowded corridor of costumed wannabes.



After securing the press passes firmly over our necks, we are warned to not give into temptation and sell the passes for any pretty penny offered. Apparently, a fan will attempt to bargain with the devil in order to see their favourite Heroes star up close and personal. We are given a briefing on all the stars available to us throughout the day, the free show bags, and even the specially reserved toilets on offer to the press. As hard as it was to leave the cushioned press quarters, the call of cartoons was too strong and we headed out into the arena.

Looking much bigger from the outside, however as crowded as any football stadium, navigating the room proved as difficult as white water rafting, looking for gaps of easy passage, bobbing up and down amongst the obstacles, and even the occasional spill. The themed sections for anime, manga, cosplay and gaming feel like an Anime-lovers wet dream. Whatever your taste, MCM has it covered.

First stop outside the hallowed pressroom was a memorabilia section with tables covered in autographed Doctor Who posters. Although they only had the Tom Baker series of photographs, they were still snapped up by eager fans. There were more tables of posters and photographs nearby, including a man who reputed to be able to get any movie still signed. However, owing to the fact that he didn't have Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy or Tim Curry as Frankenfurter, we moved on.

In between the various memorabilia stalls there was a man who went by the name of “Astral Gypsy”. Reading the back-story from his flyer is a sad tale indeed. The artwork he created, however, Manga caricatures on the fly, spoke volumes. We decided to do the touristy thing of getting him to draw our anime alter egos. I must say, the result proved to be as magical as any famous anime character.



Most of the rest of the day was spent trawling through the various stalls selling antique comics, costumes, and manga in its various forms. Most levels of expertise were represented, from bigger publishers to indie artists who created bespoke and original manga. The best application of manga we saw was an illustrated Shakespeare. All the classics were available, or due to be released soon, illustrated with modern flair but with the text true to its origins. If anything can get kids to read the Bard then surely this would do it.

In addition to the stalls there were also the gamers. Always associated with animation; punters could try their luck at the classics like Street Fighter on the arcade, to the latest Xbox releases of Mortal Kombat. There were Dance Dance Dance machines, whack-a-mole, and even a PSP room dressed like a Bedouin desert dwelling. One of the more popular machines was the latest from the Xbox Rock series Rock Band which sees four players join forces to create the ultimate rock band, incorporating drumming, guitar, and vocals.

Dragging ourselves from admiring the evolution of man, we headed to what was the highlight of the day for most of the young anime lovers, the Cosplay fashion parade. Although some of the crowd would have dressed this way without an excuse, it was full to capacity in the makeshift tent which came complete with a catwalk. The eager fans chose their costumes/disguises with deliberate enthusiasm. Striking poses from Zelda, Samurai Pizza Cats, Yu Gi Oh and everything in between, the crowd cheered as they recognised their favourite characters take the stage, and applauded them when they pulled it off.



Although many had come for all things anime, there were certainly a few avid fans who had come to see their favourite TV stars pressing the flesh. We had arrived too late to go into the “Heroes” Q & A, and regretted it later when we realised that it was cast members from the Heroes show, and not just people who were trying to be super heroes. We did manage to sneak into the Merlin interview though, where we learnt that the press asked vastly different questions to those the Sci-Fi actors had faced by the crowds in a public forum in the arena. We also learnt that 22 year old Scot Colin Morgan's mother was feeling more of the effects of stardom than her Merlin-playing son as she is now approached in Sainsbury's with the latest anecdotes from the show. The Primeval question and answer was perhaps the most informative though, because although they were grilled on the new additions to their cast, we did learn that Ugly Betty although set in New York is filmed entirely in LA.

Content that the day was not a total loss, we headed off out into the unknown alleys surrounding ExCel in search of more characters, and the chance of more hugs.

Keen for more? See more about:

London Fairs
London for Kids
London Events

Sherbet