"Chara-Hobby 2009" opened August 29th, at Makuhari Messe, Chiba.
"Chara-Hobby 2009" is Japan's largest character/hobby items event. About 40 companies took part in this event by exhibiting their hobby goods such as figures, plastic models as well as games, sold event-only products, stage events by voice actors and cosplay contests.
This year's special event were "All Japan Home-town Character Exhibit" by Takashi Yanase, the creator of "Ampanman" and "Pub-chara Corner", where the loose characters that are hard to catch gathered for the event. Of course, "Antekko-chan", a popular Moe-chara of Akiba Jisakers was on hand. There were also areas for display/sales of garage kits, mini-yonku/ Gundam model workshops and war vehicle display from JSDF.
It is a 2-day event until the 30th, entrance fees are 1,500 yen at the gates (free for kids in elementary school and under) The total attendance last year was 67,000.
(below are the pics from day-1, further reports will be added later)
