G

et ready to spoil the child in you as the powerhouses of the pop-culture industry are in town this weekend for the first ever Indonesia Toy, Game and Comic Convention.

Big names from both East and West '€” with 92 exhibitors from six countries, including Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the US '€” will be on display at the JIEXpo hall in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Saturday and Sunday.

A spin-off event of the Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC), the Jakarta event is part of Reed POP events, which include the New York Comic Con and the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo.

The organizer is promising surprises at the convention, which will also host workshops by pop-culture personalities.

Saturday'€™s workshop is scheduled to present Marvel Comic'€™s editor and international talent scout CB Cebulski, who plans to peruse a portfolio of Indonesian talents submitted earlier.

On Sunday, Jakarta'€™s own toymaker, Cipta Croft-Cusworth, the founder of GoodGuysNeverWin Toy Co., will talk about his experiences.

Rita Magnus, the senior manager for projects and content, and head of the pop culture cluster, at Reed Exhibitions, told journalists the convention would take pop-culture events in Indonesia to a whole new level as could be seen from the number of exhibitors lining up from around the world. '€œAlso, the event allows Indonesian artists to promote their artwork globally,'€ she says.

The admission price is Rp 90,000 (US$7.45) for one day. Children aged 6 and above are required to pay on Saturday, while on Sunday children aged 12 and below will be allowed in free.

At the convention, anime and manga lovers will enjoy a surreal atmosphere as the venue will be teeming with costume players, or cosplayers, vying for cash prizes in a competition.

They can also experience Japanese service at the Platina Parlour Butler Café and the most-happening Japanese track-maker and DJ, baker, during DJ Night.

Toy-brick producer LEGO will hold a building competition, while Hot Wheels will lay out a racing competition on Sunday.

For collectors, Singapore-based producer of limited-edition premium statue collectibles, XM Studios, will be giving the chance to win a Magneto Premium Collectible Statue in a lucky draw.

2Spot will be displaying its new products in collaboration with Avex group, which features Bloody Bunny and Avex Ayupan'€™s character, based on Ayumi Hamasaki, the all-time Japanese singer.

The most anticipated guest is US-based sculptor/artist Jesse
Yu, a.k.a. J*RYU, who has worked with Marvel Entertainment, TOPPS, Hasbro, Sony Ericsson and IBM.

Named Toy Customizer of the Year by the Designer Toy Awards in 2012, Yu is known for the gothic nature of his work and his avid fans look forward eagerly to each new piece added to his '€œForest of Sorrows'€ narrative.

US-based cosplayer Vampy Bit Me '€” one of the convention'€™s main highlights '€” says she has prepared several costumes she made herself.

The Marvel cosplayer, whose real name is Linda Lie, said she preferred to make her own costumes.

'€œIf you like a character, wear the costume and be that character,'€ she revealed her tips to Indonesian cosplaying rookies.