The 30th IJOY Beijing Animation and Gaming Carnival officially kicked off today, and I arrived at the China National Convention Center in Beijing as part of the free-pass participant program. The venue was packed with crowds, and though the event period from October 1st to 3rd has just begun, the vibrant ACG atmosphere is already palpable. As an attendee who has followed IJOY since its early editions, this 30th-anniversary special celebration truly lived up to expectations, with Halls E1 to E4 fully opened and every schedule packed tight.
Dressed in my carefully prepared Lolita fashion dress, I stepped into the venue and met up with fellow fans from all across the country. Today's white dress features delicate blue bow accents and a tiered, ruffled skirt, paired with a white thigh-highs outfit style and black bow lace-up heels, visually capturing that dreamy, adorable street-style look. Bringing along my beloved brown teddy bear toy and a weathered black prop rifle, accented by the scattered white plush wings and wooden pinwheels nearby, the entire scene radiated a whimsical, fairytale aesthetic.
Before coming, I received many inquiries from friends who were curious about how the free-pass program works. According to official announcements, this IJOY 30 Beijing Anime Convention offered an extensive variety of ticket-free participation passes. Beyond the standard Coser pass, there were passes for Hanfu, Lolita, Fursuit, Tokusatsu, Makeup Artists, Kigurumi, Photographers, and even a unique Wotagei pass. Each participant receives an exclusive badge, granting not only free admission to explore the convention but also access to convenient on-site amenities. This categorization aligns perfectly with today's diverse ACG subcultures—whether you love sweet Japanese styles, hardcore Tokusatsu armor, or glowing penlight cheers, everyone can find their community.
Beyond browsing booths and taking casual cosplay photos of one another, the stellar guest lineup truly reflected the organizer's dedication. In voice acting, household names like Zhao Lu, Zheng Xi, Shi Zekun, Shunzi, Sun Ruiyang, Hua Ling, Lin Su, Qiu Qiu, and Qiao Su were on the roster; the esports section featured Kameng, Aili, and Xiaoxiao. On the creators' stage, prominent authors such as Wangya, Suta, Banjie Baicai, Aiganfan de Tuanzi, Qiliu, Ning Yuchen, Ji Jing, Zhou Liangxi, and Song Che Bu Chi Yu were present, alongside manga artists Yi Kai and Rui Si, illustrator AAA Shouzhua Bing Pifa Shifu, blogger coke, and well-known cosplayers including Yasal, Lvzi, Daqi, Xiaonaitong, Natsuki, Congyouban Xiaodai, Toki, and Youshiyaoling. Getting to see so many beloved creators and artists in person makes this a rare and incredible gathering for any ACG fan.
Personally, the greatest joy of attending such a grand convention lies not merely in being part of the event, but in meeting people who share the same passion for this subculture. Although a great deal of thought went into styling details—such as the folds of the skirt, the wig shape, and color coordination—maintaining high presentation quality throughout an intense convention day truly tests a cosplayer's stamina. The venue's varied lighting and backdrops offered distinct ambiances, so I coordinated with accompanying photographer friends to capture narrative-rich shots amid the bustling crowds. As shown in the photos, whether under daytime outdoor sunlight against a clear blue sky or within cozy indoor setups, different lighting gave the same outfit completely different dimensions. Holding the teddy bear and prop gun against the wooden floors and faux floral arrangements made the resulting shots look exceptionally magical.
Several consecutive days of an intense National Day anime convention can be exhausting, but that fulfilling feeling is irreplaceable. Autumn in Beijing has just the right temperature—cool enough to keep makeup intact while warm enough to let the airy dress fabric shine under the sun. If you visit the China National Convention Center during the holiday and spot my white dress and pink hair look, feel free to say hi or chat about photography! Even if you're just soaking in the diverse styles around the hall, the 30th IJOY National Day expo offers plenty of visual delight and creative inspiration.