Subculture enthusiasts flock to Hongqiao 365 for a series of exciting events. [Photo/Hongqiao 365]
Shanghai's vibrant subculture scene took center stage during the 2025 Shanghai Shopping Festival, as events at Hongqiao 365 highlighted the growing vitality of the subculture market.
Over the May Day holiday, the 2025 Manka Live Shanghai Anime and Rhythm Game Industry Expo and the Shanghai Anime Culture Festival generated on-site transactions totaling 1 million yuan (approximately $139,000), a remarkable 1,000-percent increase from the previous year.
The three-day expo attracted over 10,000 visitors, a 600-percent increase compared to last year. Highlights included the Chinese debut of over 20 international rhythm game brands, drawing long lines of eager participants.
The event offered diverse experiences, including a rhythm game area, merchandise sales, and interactive spaces. Attendees engaged with game developers, voice actors, and content creators, seamlessly blending cultural and digital economy experiences.
With its 10,000 square meters of exhibition space and strategic location, Hongqiao 365 has become a premier destination for subculture events in the Yangtze River Delta. Since early 2025, the venue has hosted six major subculture events, attracting over 20,000 professional visitors. Upcoming events like the Star Tribe Anime Carnival are expected to bring the number of participants to 50,000 by year's end.
A key draw for organizers is the venue's excellent transportation links. "From the Hongqiao Transportation Hub, major cities in the Yangtze River Delta are reachable within an hour, making Hongqiao 365 perfect for a day-trip," said an event organizer.
