The Cultural Curation of the 2026 Creative Expo Taiwan kicked off on August 1 at the Kong Zong Cultural Base, and today (6th), the Creative Brands alongside the "IP-STAR POP PARK | Fantasy Star Theater" officially debuted at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1. Centered on "IP Licensing" and "Creative Brands," this year's Creative Brands reached a historic high in scale. The exhibition space expanded by 18% compared to last year, featuring over 870 participating brands and more than 1,200 booths. Beyond Taiwanese brands, the expo attracted 53 international brands from Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Macao, alongside over 80 professional international buyers coming to Taiwan for more than 640 scheduled matchmaking sessions, fully demonstrating the international trade momentum of Taiwan's cultural and creative industry.

The opening ceremony this year was uniquely kicked off by three original Taiwanese character IPs—GODGWAWA, Wei Wei Boy, and Burned Unicorn—who opened the doors at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1.

Director Chiang Ching-sung of the Department of Cultural and Creative Development, Ministry of Culture, stated that since the implementation of the "T-Content Plan" in 2024, the Ministry of Culture has actively cultivated original Taiwanese IPs and animations. This year's Creative Expo Taiwan marks a grand showcase of these achievements, bringing together 32 original Taiwanese character IP companies in an elegantly designed exhibition space. The space also collaborates with two multiplayer free-roaming VR experiences: To Hell with Me produced by MoonShine Studio, and The Blu by HTC. Director Chiang pointed out that while many domestic creators possess strong artistic skills, they often lack experience in licensing and business matchmaking. Through mentorship and training, the Creative Expo's IP-STAR Pop Park assists businesses in developing IP merchandise, connecting with international markets, and deepening IP brand content. Additionally, a B2B IP-STAR Store was established for the first time this year to encourage everyone to support original Taiwanese IPs.

The "IP-STAR Store" is a must-visit highlight this year, bringing together 19 Taiwanese character IPs and over 420 licensed products.

The opening ceremony this year was uniquely kicked off by three original Taiwanese character IPs—GODGWAWA, Wei Wei Boy, and Burned Unicorn—who opened the doors at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1. Representatives from participating government agencies, international buyer delegations from the UK, France, and the Netherlands, brand exhibition teams, and cross-industry partners were invited to enter together, inaugurating the Brand Exhibition. Inside the venue, ten adorable character mascots, including Super Bunny, LINE FRIENDS Brown, The Butters’ Canele, and Taipei Metro's Jamie, welcomed the public into the hall.

The Creative Brands’ annual theme, "Future Everyday," focuses on the importance of present life experiences, using the most familiar space—"home"—as a starting point to rethink how people work, create, rest, and connect. Six experts from different fields, including Chang Chih-chi and Chang Ching-lan, were invited to select their personal visions of the future everyday based on their own life philosophies, co-creating a curatorial experiment on lifestyles. For the first time, the exhibition also integrated HTC's VIVERSE virtual zone, breaking hardware and app limitations. Users do not need to download or install extra software; simply scanning a dedicated QR Code via a mobile, tablet, or desktop browser allows them to log in directly and experience immersive virtual interactions.

Director Chiang Ching-sung of the Department of Cultural and Creative Development, Ministry of Culture toured at "Future Everyday" exhibition area.

In addition to exciting exhibitions, "IP-STAR POP PARK | Fantasy Star Theater" features expo-exclusive interactive activities. Visitors can take on missions to collect a limited-edition "Fantasy Star Theater Stamp Card" and travel across exhibition zones to collect 36 limited IP commemorative stamps, creating cherished memories of T-Content IPs. Debuting for the first time, the "IP-STAR Store" is a must-visit highlight this year, bringing together 19 Taiwanese character IPs and over 420 licensed products—ranging from character merchandise and daily necessities to limited collectibles—allowing fans of Taiwanese IPs to treasure hunt to their heart's content. Visitors who make a single purchase of NT$1,000 or more during the exhibition will receive a limited-edition "IP-STAR Commemorative Bag," available while supplies last.

In alignment with Creative Expo Taiwan 2026, the Culture Points program for youth aged 13 to 22 launched a Q3-exclusive flash mission. During the exhibition period, youth who spend a cumulative total of 600 Culture Points can unlock a limited-edition badge featuring the popular character CHUCHUMEI. Youth are invited to take advantage of the exhibition period, bring their Culture Points to the expo, purchase their favorite cultural and creative goods, support original Taiwanese design, and create unique memories of this year's expo while collecting exclusive badges on the Culture Points app.

A B2B IP-STAR Store was established for the first time this year to encourage everyone to support original Taiwanese IPs..JPG

TAICCA centered its curation on the concept of "transmutation" from ACG culture to launch the limited-time "Manga in the House." The zone brings together eight original Taiwanese manga works, two of which further leap into reality by transmuting into tangible products: Taiwan Endemic Species transforms into a brain-teasing board game, while Op.9 The Swan becomes exquisite collectible figurines and Polaroid prints. Furthermore, the venue features infinite imaginative interpretations of works by author Hsieh Tung-lin, including Monsters Only Café and Thug Bookstore, showcasing the diverse potential of original Taiwanese manga to break through medium boundaries and expand content industries.

TAICCA centered its curation on the concept of "transmutation" from ACG culture to launch the limited-time "Manga in the House."

This year's Creative Expo Taiwan continues to partner with diverse brand collaborators in cross-industry alliances across overseas expansion, physical retail, and digital services, extending cultural IPs from the exhibition venue into international markets and daily life. For the first time, Creative Expo Taiwan joined hands with the American design brand NeverHaveIEver to bring ten original Taiwanese IPs to the New York design trade show Shoppe Object, establishing a dedicated "Creative Expo Taiwan" pavilion to present Taiwan's original design energy to international buyers. Additionally, the expo co-curated an activity with Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Nangang, gathering stamp creations from four popular creators: "Kuku Gaga," "Cathie’s Goods," "Xiubear Studio," and "Mayco Illustration." Visitors can collect stamps at both the expo and LaLaport, add a touch of inspiration, and redeem daily limited gifts. ibon Cloud Printing teamed up with Creative Expo Taiwan once again, inviting 16 emerging creators to release over 140 original licensed products, extending the creative experience of the expo beyond the venue.

 

Furthermore, over 70 exciting events will take place on-site, including creator autograph sessions, mascot meet-and-greets, cultural lectures, hands-on workshops, and new book launches. Popular IPs such as A-Chu, CHUCHUMEI, TWODEERMAN, South Korea's popular character Mr. Donothing, and Japan's KUMAMON will take turns interacting closely with fans. There will also be thematic sharing sessions on original character operations, cultural creativity, and fragrance therapy, as well as cross-disciplinary creator dialogues, building a cultural gathering that blends exchange, experience, and entertainment to let visitors feel the diverse charm of original Taiwanese IPs and international cultural brands at once. The public is warmly invited to visit, take photos, check in, and purchase their favorite products from August 6 to 12; please seize the time to enjoy this spectacular event.