[PHOTOS] Comiccon de Québec: des milliers de personnes célèbrent la culture populaire dans la capitale

Thousands of people interested in Japanese animation, video games, cosplay, manga and comics met at the convention center Saturday as part of the Quebec Comics.

“This is a celebration of pop culture, and this is an opportunity to come and let loose a little madness and share our passions. This is an opportunity to show our true colors! I'm here every year and I'll be here for a long time,” exclaims Alexis Bois, who met in the long line that formed in the convention center lobby before the doors of the show even opened.

Like several hundred people, Mr. Bois arrived early to be one of the first to wander among the dozens of booths where exhibitors sell art, figurines and other merchandise bearing the image of one franchise or another in a very large geek universe.

True to his post

Zara Laurier and her friends Maximilien Marchildon and Charles-Olivier Lavoie-Parent mark the date of Quebec Comic Con on their calendar every year. Barely adults, the three fans of Japanese popular culture haven't missed an episode since they were 12 years old.

“It's a must for us. People come here to see the artists and new products. We've recognized the same people over the years and are excited to see each other again,” says Zara Laurier, who came cosplaying as Hatsune Miku, an avatar of the virtual Japanese singer, like her two pals.

Demons are popular

The magazine interviewed several event attendees to find out what it is about these enthusiasts who, in some cases, work beyond the hours they put in to design their costume.

The big winner stood out by a wide margin: the film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Infinity Castle.

Released in theaters last September, the film, based on the wildly popular manga of the same name, became a global phenomenon, crossing the $600 million mark at the global box office and reaching number one on the US charts in its first weekend in cinemas.

During the Quebec Comic Con there were several of them dressed as characters from the film or cartoon series.

The organization even reserved time for a themed cosplay event, as it does for the giants Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC Comics and Pokemon, among others.

Popular film produced by Netflix. K-Pop Demon Hunterswas also entitled to the same treatment given the great enthusiasm among platform users for the feature film.

“Really, demons are the main event this year. It's just crazy to see it,” says Charles-Olivier Lavoie-Parent.

Prepare succession.

Both fathers of young children, Michael Beck and his friend Michael Leclerc-Gautier, wanted to take their offspring to this celebration of popular culture to “educate the next generation.”

“If you want to get them interested, you have to start early,” smiles Mr. Leclerc-Gautier as his daughter Florence fidgets in her stroller. She's still too young so I don't think she'll remember it, but I'm excited to share it with her.”

It's the same story with his friend, who attended Quebec Comic Con for the first time with his daughter Ellie.

“This is a revelation for her and I. We hope to convey the passion. […] Of course, we have less time than before to keep track of all this with the children, but it’s nice to see people coming together,” concludes Michael Beck.