Hordes of fans throng to the stands and performances at Bilibili World 2025. [Photo/WeChat ID: hongqiaoshangwuqu]
Bilibili World 2025 (BW2025) — Asia's grandest ACGN (anime, comics, games, novels) expo — concluded on July 13 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.
The three-day event drew a whopping 300,000 visitors, highlighting the global appeal of ACGN culture.
Bilibili World, launched in 2017 by Chinese popular video-sharing platform Bilibili, has grown into a comprehensive entertainment event that includes performances, exhibitions and interactive games, attracting fans and creators from around the globe.
This year's BW2025 set records with 240,000 square meters of exhibition space, over 700 exhibitors and a star-studded lineup of over 1,000 global guests and content creators — offering fans the chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories and interact with them.
For the first time, all eight halls of the venue were utilized, with ticket sales reaching unprecedented heights. The first round of tickets sold out in 35 seconds and the second in just six seconds, with nearly 900,000 online reservations.
The event featured high-profile premieres, including renowned game creator Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2, which was showcased exclusively in the Chinese mainland.
Global gaming franchises like Borderlands and PUBG made their Bilibili World debuts, alongside interactive zones from over 200 gaming companies. Fans experienced new content from titles like Love and Deep Space.
"I came mainly to see Hideo Kojima. I'm a big fan and very interested in his new game's behind-the-scenes," said Hu Fan. Wearing a Death Stranding T-shirt, he was very happy to find many cosplayers with similar interests.
"I saw others wearing the same shirt and some dressed as game characters. I felt truly happy here, where all hobbies are embraced," Hu added.
BW2025 proved to be a vibrant celebration of anime and gaming culture. It featured diverse zones including a virtual streamer area, tabletop gaming and a bustling model and toy marketplace — alongside over 300 creator booths.
Attendees enjoyed thrilling character meet-and-greets, intense e-sports competitions and exclusive merchandise giveaways. Renowned voice actors, talented artists and popular Bilibili uploaders engaged closely with fans, creating unforgettable experiences.
The event has significantly boosted Shanghai's summer economy. During the period, hotels near the venue were fully booked, the city's cultural and tourism activities surged with a year-on-year 35 percent increase in bookings and flights to the city saw a year-on-year 50 percent rise.
