Organized by the veteran Japanese model manufacturer Kaiyodo, the 2024 winter edition of the world's largest model festival, 'Wonder Festival,' which is held twice a year, is set to grandly open on February 11, 2024. The venue will once again be the familiar Makuhari Messe Halls 1-8 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Detailed exhibition information was officially announced recently, and advance tickets and priority admission tickets are now available for pre-order. Additionally, this year's event will collaborate with the super popular classic fighting manga "Fist of the North Star" to simultaneously host the 40th-anniversary special project "My Sculpting, No Regrets Exhibition."
Originating in 1984, 'WONDER FESTIVAL' consistently attracts 40,000 to 50,000 model enthusiasts from both Japan and abroad. The corporate booths feature dozens of renowned Japanese toy manufacturers such as Bandai, Kotobukiya, TAKARA TOMY, GOODSMILE COMPANY, MAX FACTORY, and many more, all of whom have participated in this grand event. Here, you can personally witness prototypes and trial products of unreleased items from various companies, and even enjoy venue-exclusive stage programs, giveaways, and limited-edition merchandise.
The core mission and original intention of WONDER FESTIVAL are to provide a platform for professional and amateur sculptors to showcase their passion and sculpting techniques, gaining greater exposure. Therefore, in addition to corporate booths displaying new products, each event features hundreds of DEALER booths applied for by individuals or groups. These booths not only present a wide array of original works but also allow for the creation, exhibition, and sale of GK models from various franchises through the legal "one-day license" system. Model details that are difficult for major manufacturers to reproduce in mass production, niche characters that are hard to commercialize, or colossal works all have the chance to be seen firsthand and even purchased at the venue.
In recent years, the organizers have also collaborated with numerous industry enterprises to promote the joy of model making. The event will feature renowned figures from the model industry, such as Takayuki Takeya, hosting panel discussions, work critiques, and sculpting workshops. There will also be hands-on experience zones where visitors can actually create and paint models. For COSPLAY enthusiasts, a dedicated display area is provided for photography, and in recent years, related stage events have been held, allowing COSPLAYERS from around the world to perform. The rich array of exhibitions and activities ensures a fulfilling day of exploration!
This year, the "Fist of the North Star" 40th Anniversary Special Project, 'My Sculpting, No Regrets Exhibition,' will simultaneously take place at the venue. A special booth will showcase over a dozen "Fist of the North Star"-themed three-dimensional works sculpted by individual artists. Additionally, two models, Kenshiro and Raoh, painted by Japanese painter MA-man using her distinctive "3D 2D coloring" technique, will be on display. SpiceSeed, one of the co-organizers and a Japanese model manufacturer, is also expected to exhibit new models with immense presence, such as 'Raoh & Kokuoh-go' and 'Holy Emperor Souther Mikoshi ver.,' on the day of the event.
Wonder Festival 2024 [Winter]
Exhibition Date: 2024/02/11 (Sun) 10:00～17:00
Venue: Makuhari Messe Halls 1-8, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (For access information, please see: https://www.m-messe.co.jp/access/)
Admission Fee: Same-day ticket 4,200 JPY / Advance ticket 3,700 JPY
Event Special Website: https://wonfes.jp/specialsite/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WF_officialinfo
Ticket Sales Website: https://ib.eplus.jp/wonfes2024-winter
https://www.kkday.com/en/product/157988?cid=17562&ud1=officialsite