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Tickets cost £9 per day for adults and £4 per day for children, whilst Fast Track tickets cost £12 per day regardless of age. Child tickets are available for attendees aged between 11 and 14, anyone aged 15 or over is counted as an adult. Children aged 10 or younger can get in free as long as they're accompanied by a full paying adult, but this is limited to two free entries per paying adult. Unlike dedicated anime conventions you do not have to register or pay in advance to attend the MCM London Expo, and there doesn't appear to be any limit on attendees. Fast Track tickets can be bought in advance through the Expo's official website, but they can also be bought on the door along with normal entry tickets. However, Cosplayers are advised to register in advance if they want to enter the Cosplay Masquerade competition, registration forms and rules for the masquerade can be found on the official website.
"Imagination meets reality. Experience a world like no other and you are at the London MCM Expo. The London MCM Expo is not just another show but an event which is both interactive and fun.
Anime Village@Expo
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The main thing you can expect from the MCM London Expo is a significantly lightened wallet! Despite the attendance of all of the main anime and manga companies and numerous events, presentations and screenings, the Expo is in effect a giant indoor market selling everything an anime fan could possibly want, from rare merchandise to imported Japanese confectionary. The 'MCM' in MCM London Expo stands for Movies, Comics and Media, and as the name suggests the event does not focus solely on anime and manga. However, anime and manga has taken it over in such a big way that you'd be hard pressed to notice anything else. It is far bigger than any other event in |
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the anime and manga calendar, with attendance numbers in the thousands. All of the major companies are there, as are all of the major anime, manga and merchandise retailers, and many sell their wares at bargain prices. It's the best place you can go if you want to pick up cheap anime and manga, and with several online merchandise retailers in attendance there is nowhere else in the UK that you can find such a varied selection of imported Japanese goods. Anime and Manga companies now use the Expo rather than the conventions to announce major new licenses, and also host questions and answer sessions and presentations as well as sneak previews of forthcoming anime. You will end up with a host of free sampler DVDs, posters and snacks too. Anime fans are everywhere and cosplay-spotting is the main spectator sport. It's a great place to meet fellow fans and talk to company representatives, but the Saturday is often a bit too hectic, especially in the early afternoon. The sheer volume of people and noise can be a bit overwhelming, but get there early or later in the day and it's more manageable. The Sundays are a major contrast to the Saturdays, with far less people in attendance so it's usually a bit more civilised. In the past the organisation and communication of changes to the schedules has left a lot to be desired, but things have improved year on year. It's not perfect, but it's the only anime and manga event you can just go to on the day, pay on the door and go in. It's popularity is a major sign of how important it is to UK fans, and you are guaranteed of a good time and plenty of freebies and bargains if you go.
MCM London Expo May 2006
Feature For further info, please visit www.londonexpo.com
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