Manga trade fair Connichi conquers Wiesbaden
The RMCC was the venue for the largest voluntarily organized anime and manga convention in Germany. After moving from Kassel, it took place at the RMCC for the first time from September 1 - 3, 2023.
Event overview
- Diverse program of stage shows, workshops, exhibition and festival
- Three days with many thousands of participants
- Sold-out event over three days
- Stage shows in Hall North with extended telescopic stage
- Around 100 lectures and workshops
- Japanese folk festival Matsuri in the loading yard, outdoor
- Terrace hall as workshop areas
- Family area in the studio rooms
- Elaborately designed photo corners in the Terrace Hall
- Extensive supporting program
- Fireworks on Friday and Saturday evening
- games rooms
Supporting program in Wiesbaden
- Connichi party Friday evening at the Schlachthof cultural center
- Slots for photo shoots in the Kurhaus Wiesbaden and in the Villa Clementine for Connichi participants (Saturdays and Sundays)
- Photo spot tour with the THermine Stadtbahn to places of interest such as the Kurhaus Wiesbaden and the Russian Church on the Neroberg
- Cinema program at the Caligari Filmbühne
Several thousand people visited the city for the Connichi events. Many participants dressed up in elaborate costumes based on models from the world of anime and manga. In addition to the actual event at the RMCC, it was also about presenting and photographing their own costumes.
To enable Connichi visitors to get to know Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden Congress & Marketing GmbH arranged and organized a supporting programme for Connichi visitors: this included an exclusive photo spot tour to Wiesbaden's highlights with the small light rail THermine.
During two trips on the Saturday of the event, the THermine traveled to the most beautiful spots in the city, such as the Wiesbaden Kurhaus, the Neroberg and the Nerobergbahn.
The rooms in the Kurhaus Wiesbaden were also made available for an exclusive photo shoot. Interested parties were able to register in advance for several slots and take photos in the Kurhaus.
Which rooms were used and how?
Admission and the central foyer
Due to the many thousands of visitors, most of whom gathered in front of the halls before admission, the flow of visitors was controlled via all three available entrances - the North Entrance, the Main Foyer and the South Entrance. This was made clear with wayfinding systems. This made it possible to distribute the visitors and reduce the waiting time for admission.
There was also a Nintendo gaming station and an exhibition area in the central foyer.
North Hall
One segment of Hall North was used as exhibitor space. The other two front segments were used for the main program. There was a stage here and the spectators were seated on the telescopic stage, which was extended.
South Hall
The sales exhibition was located in Hall South. Whether manga, anime, video games or other products, visitors were able to talk to the dealers and store extensively, for example at the flea market also located in Hall South. The creative market also took place in the South Hall. Here, a selection of the German fan scene was presented, which is internationally unique with plays, musicals and other stage performances. The motto here: From fans for fans.
Terrace Hall, Forum 1.1 and Studios
The Terrace Hall was used in five segments for a wide variety of presentations and workshops. Elaborate photo scenes were also set up here, which could be used for photo shoots.
An area for children and families was set up in one part of the studios. Here, participants and their children could retreat from the hustle and bustle of the trade fair, play and relax.
Fan meetings and autograph sessions took place in Forum 1.1.
Outdoor
A Japanese festival "Matsuri" took place in the loading yard of the RMCC.
The Matsuri has been a very popular program item at the Connichi for several years. What began in 2014 as a small tent in the inner courtyard of the Stadthalle and has grown steadily since then, has been expanded even further at the RMCC.
On a total area of over 2,000 square meters, festively decorated pagoda tents offered traditional games, fashion and authentic Japanese food. A small fireworks display could also be admired from here, which took place on Friday and Saturday evening at the end of the day.
Stephanie Drewing, event organizer, on the RMCC as a venue:
"We are very satisfied with the first Connichi at the RMCC in Wiesbaden. We received great support from the team during the entire planning phase and also during the implementation on site. The weekend at the RMCC was a complete success for us, we were able to expand the space available for many areas of the event and thus meet the wishes of the visitors. There were more seats in the hall, more offers from our dealers and exhibitors and we hardly had to turn anyone away from our extensive workshop and lecture program. We are very pleased that we have received feedback from many that we have retained the familiar feeling of the Connichi in a new guise. We are very much looking forward to next year!"
After many years in Kassel: What the first Connichi in Wiesbaden was like
Background information
The term anime comes from the Japanese and stands for animated films and series. Manga is the Japanese term for comic. Anime and manga events include screenings of anime films and series, stage shows and cosplay competitions. Participants imitate characters from manga and anime by wearing costumes and behaving like the original characters.