After two consecutive cancellations left participants eager for a year, Japan's largest model exhibition, "Wonder Festival 2021 [Autumn]", had its attendees buzzing with excitement following the March announcement of its return on September 20th. Preparations for dealer and corporate booths, applications for one-day copyright licenses, and ticket sales were all reportedly proceeding smoothly.
However, with less than a month remaining until opening day, the Wonder Festival organizers issued an urgent announcement today (23rd) confirming the event's cancellation. While this decision has a relatively minor impact on general attendees—all purchased tickets will be fully refunded—it presents a significant challenge for many sculptors who had secured booths to showcase their self-produced garage kits. Although participation fees will also be fully refunded, most have already invested heavily in reproducing their works, and the fees for one-day copyright license applications have been paid and may not be refundable. Facing the dilemma of no venue to sell their creations and recover costs, widespread dismay has begun to spread among creators.
Addressing the situation, Shuichi Miyawaki, the representative for Wonder Festival organizers and Senior Managing Director of model manufacturer Kaiyodo, personally released a video to explain the decision. He cited the unexpectedly rapid escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the expanding areas under a state of emergency, and the resulting strain on Japan's medical resources. To prevent further cluster infections, the physical Wonder Festival event had to be canceled once again.
Beyond repeatedly apologizing to all affected participants, Senior Managing Director Miyawaki also pledged to devise viable alternative solutions. These include online events that would provide dealer booths with opportunities to exhibit and sell their garage kits. He further committed to actively negotiating with copyright holders to transfer already approved one-day copyright licenses for use in these online activities. Further details are expected to be announced at a later date.
via： Wonder Festival 官方網站