Popcon Asia 2015 is buzzing with comic enthusiasts, movie buffs, animation lovers and cosplayers wishing to see and grab the latest works of their favorite artists and filmmakers.Here are some highlights from the three-day festival, which runs until Sunday at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).

VIRTUAL REALITY

JP/Seto Wardhana

At least two booths offer virtual reality (VR) experiences at the event. At the booth of 360-degree film The Road, visitors can buy Rp 70,000 cardboard VR gear, to which a smartphone can be attached. The gear can be used to watch 360-degree films, such as those found on YouTube.

If you want stronger gear, Octagon Studio offers its own plastic-based VR gear at a price tag of Rp 300,000. Using the gear, visitors can experience a 360-degree rollercoaster game and much more.

MEET THE ARTISTS

Hasmi meets his fans (JP/Seto Wardhana)

Scores of teenage girls swarmed South Korean comic artist Seok Woo after a talk show session on Friday. He gladly welcomed fan requests for selfies and signed and drew simple sketches of characters from his popular comic Orange Marmalade.

The comic, which tells the love story of a vampire girl and a school boy, became the most-read series on Line’s Webtoon comic application in Indonesia.

Foreign artists, such as Seok Woo and Pierre Méloni of popular animated cartoon Oggy and the Cockroaches, and local artists, such as Feza Meonk and Sweta Kartika, met with fans to offer tips and tricks.

For classic comic lovers, Harya Suryaminata aka Hasmi, the creator of Gundala, and Kus Bram of superhero comic Laba-Laba Merah are holding a meet-and-greet at the Bumilangit comic publishing booth from Saturday to Sunday.

HOPE

JP/Don

Helping others is as easy as buying a bracelet. Visitors swarmed the I Hope booth, which is selling an Rp 100,000 bracelet made of Palembang’s jumputan fabric to help raise funds for people living with cancer. All proceeds would be donated, the campaign initiator, Amanda Soekarsah, said.

The campaign was started by Amanda, her sister Janna S. Joesoef and actress Wulan Guritno. “The jumputan fabrics were donated by my mother, designer Ghea Panggabean. Jumputan means rainbow, which reflects hope.”

Since last year, 13,000 Hope bracelets have been sold. The campaign has expanded to fashion shows, music events and a film titled I am Hope, which will hit theaters February 2016.

‘AADC?’ SEQUEL

JP/Don

“There are so many asking us about who will play Rangga and Cinta in the sequel,” producer Mira Lesmana told the audience at Saturday’s talk show, referring to the lead roles of the movie Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? (AADC? or What’s Up with Cinta?).

“In this event, we confirm Nicholas Saputra will remain as our Rangga and Dian Sastrowardoyo will remain as our Cinta,” she said to a big applause.

The first AADC?, released in 2002, took the country by storm for incorporating a high school love story with classic Indonesian poetry and a memorable soundtrack.

“We will still see the poetic side of Rangga in the sequel.”

Riri Riza will direct the sequel, which starts shooting this October.

“We will maintain some elements of AADC? and incorporate it with fresh things,” Riza said, adding that filming will take place in New York, Yogyakarta and Jakarta.

Noted musician couple Melly Goeslaw and Anto Hoed will be back to produce the soundtrack.

COLLECTIBLE ITEMS

JP/Don

Comic lovers can get a wide range of figures and the latest works of their favorite artists.

Releasing its first edition at the event is Kosmik, a monthly Indonesian comic magazine initiated by Sunny Goh. Sunny provided 1,000 copies and by midday on the second day, only 20 copies were left.

“I have been working on DC and Marvel comics. Then, I felt we need to help local talent shine and build the local comic industry, so they don’t need to work abroad to be appreciated.”

Comic artists can propose their works to be featured at Kosmik through a portfolio review session at the event or submit their works on kosmik.id. The magazine will be sold at bookstores in September.

TIME TO SHINE

JP/Seto Wardhana

Aspiring talents got their chance to break into the animation and comic industry at Popcon’s Portfolio Review sessions.

Among others, France-based Moutarde & Wasabi, Malaysian animation studio Giggle Garage and Indonesia’s MNC Animation, are looking for bright animators, scriptwriters and comic artists to join their teams.

Publishing company Bukune, which released hit comedy book Kambing Jantan and comic Si Juki, invited writers and book illustrators to show their talents.

A production house is auditioning voice talents to play a character in a 3D version Si Unyil, the 1981 children’s television show.

LIVING THE CHARACTERS

JP/Don

Saturday’s visitors were mostly dominated by cosplayers aiming to win Popcon Asia’s cosplay contest.

From a sweet blond manga-inspired schoolgirl to a superhero with a light-emitting costume, the cosplayers walked and talked just like their respective characters.

“I just want to have fun with my friends by participating in cosplay,” said a high school student, who wore the costume of Yang Xiao Long of anime series RWBY.

SUPERHERO FILMS

Marcellino Lefrandt - JP/Don

Skylar Pictures showcases the newest trailer for its first superhero movie, Valentine, which boasts action scenes around the fictional Batavia City.

Played by rising star Estelle Linden, Valentine is a girl with a flair for martial arts who battles criminals in a Gotham-like city. “The movie will be released in 2016. My target is to garner 2.5 million viewers,” said the film’s director Agus Pestol.

At the event, Skylar Pictures also announced its latest project, Volt, adapted from a superhero comic of the same name. Taking the helm of Volt is Anggy Umbara, better known as director of hit action-comedy flick Comic 8.

Some girls could not help but smile and blush when Marcellino Lefrandt, who plays Volt, unexpectedly opened his shirt to show off his ripped body. “Hopefully the shooting process runs smoothly and the film will help Indonesia’s comics and films shine in the global market,” Marcellino said.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

JP/Yuliasri Perdani

Popcon Asia 2015 made South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Cho Tai-young, reminisce about his childhood.

As a little boy, he regularly visited a comic rental shop near his home. When he ran out of money, he would ask the shopkeeper to let him in for free. “Finally, my older brother found out about that and disciplined me,” he laughed.

To show his love for Korean animated works, Cho stuck a sticker of Poporo on his hand.

Triawan Munaf, the head of the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf), recalled that as a boy, he used to rent comic books from a shop he used to ride by on his bicycle in his neighborhood. “I had to finish reading the comic books in just one day or I had to pay for an additional day.”

JP/Seto Wardhana

Popcon Asia 2015 is buzzing with comic enthusiasts, movie buffs, animation lovers and cosplayers wishing to see and grab the latest works of their favorite artists and filmmakers.Here are some highlights from the three-day festival, which runs until Sunday at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).

VIRTUAL REALITY