On June 14th, WEBTOON introduced a small occasion inside Occasions Sq. in New York Metropolis for Thursday, June twenty seventh, 2024. This occasion referred to as TOON SQUARE, was deliberate as a small occasion the place WEBTOON followers get to go meet different followers, cosplayers, and creators, with the added bonus of receiving autographs. The creators introduced and current for the occasion have been the next:
The occasion was positioned on forty third Road and seventh Avenue in Occasions Sq. between the Exhausting Rock Cafe and the Tamashii Nations retailer simply throughout the nook from the NASDAQ constructing (for good cause). The occasion began at 9am EDT and went till 10am EDT the place attendees obtained a photograph alternative with the cosplayers current on the occasion that have been cosplaying as recognizable characters from WEBTOON originals equivalent to The Remarried Empress, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, Unholy Blood, Tower of God, and Lore Olympus.
At 9:50am a majority of the WEBTOON workers who have been current on the occasion gathered for a photoshoot main as much as the reveal of WEBTOON going public on the NASDAQ inventory change at 10am. On the NASDAQ constructing itself, which contains a digital video board, and close by the occasion stage, footage of the WEBTOON workers contained in the NASDAQ buying and selling ground have been proven to commemorative cheering and applause to wrap up the Cosplayer Meet & Greet.
In an remark, there have been additionally South Korean information reporters current on the occasion, with some bringing their very own cameras and gear to broadcast and report on the occasion reside from Occasions Sq.. One even introduced a stool to permit herself to be completely aligned with the backdrop of the occasion. It was all attention-grabbing to see simply how vital this second was for worldwide reporters to come back all the way in which to New York Metropolis.
Afterwards, a line of keen WEBTOON followers started to develop for the Creator Signings. There, those that attended obtained to have photograph ops with their favourite creators current To my shock there was a reasonably good turnout of followers of all ages current for the signings, from youngsters accompanied by their dad and mom and relations, college students having fun with the start of summer season trip, and adults readers who traveled from out of state for the chance. On the occasion, these on line could be given a phone-sized WEBTOON sticker bag with 5 stickers inside that includes characters from Faculty Bus Graveyard, I’m The Queen in This Life, True Magnificence, Marry My Husband, and DOOM BREAKER.
On the Creator Signings, followers would even be given WEBTOON logo-shaped boards which the creators autographed and even gave customized autographs upon request alongside with the choice for images to be taken with the followers. It was a pleasant and uncommon alternative to satisfy and get to speak with these WEBTOON creators who work exhausting to inform tales during which readers everywhere in the world can take pleasure in.
The signings went from 10am till 12pm once they started to wrap up the occasion with a photograph of all of the remaining followers, creators, and cosplayers in attendance. As soon as the occasion concluded, the workers started to pack up the occasion area with attendees being directed to exit by forty third avenue.
This was my first time at a WEBTOON occasion of this scale in New York Metropolis. It was enjoyable to satisfy excited followers of all ages and backgrounds attending the occasion, seeing cosplayers dressing up as their favourite WEBTOON characters, to satisfy and join with the varied creators in attendance and even the WEBTOON workers who have been current. I actually do hope WEBTOON will get the chance to do one other occasion like this, not solely New York Metropolis, however different cities throughout the US and even overseas for creators and followers.
This occasion additionally makes me marvel if one thing equivalent to a Vertical Comics conference with WEBTOON, Tapas, Tappytoons, Soar Toon, and different webtoon firms collaborating collectively could be doable sooner or later. I take into consideration this because of the truth that vertical scrolling comics as an entire is its personal neighborhood that overlaps with the anime, manga and comics bubble, and has advanced to the purpose the place it’s now its personal thriving worldwide neighborhood.
Webtoons are actually created from the U.S, Europe, Korea, Japan, and nearly all over the place else across the globe. Since WEBTOON has now gone public, it goes to indicate how vertical scrolling comics as an artwork kind are right here to stick with the potential and alternative for creators and followers all over the world to come back collectively outdoors of the same old anime or comedian conventions to debate all the pieces about them, to cosplay their favourite characters, join, and extra.
With that tangent apart, TOON SQUARE was a brief and candy occasion that didn’t overstay its welcome inside the beating coronary heart of New York Metropolis. I do stay up for attend extra occasions of this nature from WEBTOON or every other webtoon firms throughout the globe inside New York Metropolis.
Have you ever attended TOON SQUARE? What do you consider these webtoon occasions? Any cities that you really want extra occasions like these to seem in? Tell us down within the feedback beneath!
Be happy to comply with Webtoon on their X/twitter for occasion information, originals, and extra relating to the platform.
Additionally be happy to comply with me on X/Twitter the place I submit my artwork and progress on my very own WEBTOON in addition to mods for video video games, retweet comedian e book information, and the occasional artwork and memes if that pursuits you.
You can too learn concerning the massive information that WEBTOON has gone public proper right here on The Beat.
As at all times, till subsequent time my lovely birb nerds! Right here’s to a very good and eventful summer season.
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