The three-day 2026 MankaLive, a rhythm-gaming expo and carnival, wrapped up on Aug 13 at Hongqiao Pinhui in the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District.
MankaLive has been hosted at Hongqiao Pinhui, a well-known venue for ACGN (animation, comics, games, and novels) events, for three years in a row. This year, it attracted over 2,300 visitors despite the rainy conditions.
The event brought together popular rhythm game titles, players, creators, and gaming brands for tournaments, challenge matches, performances, and interactive activities.
About 60 percent of visitors came from outside Shanghai, generating more than 4 million yuan ($560,000) in tourism-related spending, including transportation, lodging, dining, and shopping.
The carnival featured well-known rhythm games such as Arcaea, Phigros, Bleap, and InFalsus, along with a range of indie and mobile games. Hardware and peripheral brands also joined the event, offering hands-on experiences for players.
Popular creators and rhythm game personalities, including YOSHIKI, MR, jate_valery, and DJGunbuster, took the stage for performances, challenge matches, and meet-and-greet sessions.
