One of best parts about going to comic conventions is getting to see the awesome displays exhibitors have set up to promote their shows so that fans can experience and/or be part of that fictional reality themselves.
That's exactly what the Netflix area (not booth!) successfully laid out at the AsiaPOP Comicon (APCC) held in Pasay City, Manila, Philippines over the weekend of 27 to 29 July, 2018.
Droves of fans crowded around the Netflix area to experience several immersive experiences, and Cinema Online got to see it all first-hand thanks to the awesome peeps at well, you know it, Netflix.
There were also appearances by stars from Netflix's popular shows like "Luke Cage", "Iron Fist" and more which made the whole convention that more so wholesome!
See some of the highlights of Netflix's appearance at APCC this year and don't forget to check out the video at the end for a better look!
Become "Iron Fist" at New York's Chinatown
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| Punch a car like "Iron Fist" if you fancy! |
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| Or get a tattoo! |
This year, a big part of the Netflix area was dedicated into making it a mini replica of Chinatown alley. Ya know, like the one seen in "Iron Fist". So naturally a lot of the displays there were interactive and aimed to make visitors feel like they were the superhero from Kun Lun himself. Upon entering the archway, there is a wall that lights up when one punches it as well as a totalled car. On the other side, there is an "Iron Fist" 180 degree experience, where a slow-mo video of one delivering a punch (ala "Iron Fist" style) will be captured. Hung's Tattoo parlour along the same alley allowed fans to get their temporary tattoos where they got to pick either the "Iron Fist" insignia or the Hatchet Gang brand.
Fight the Hatchet Gang
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| The Hatchet Gang. |
Obviously these guys have got to be given a special mention. Part of the reason the Chinatown experience was so believable was because these trio were always in character from 10am to 8pm daily. Putting up their best New York Chinatown gangster impressions, it's hard not to feel caught up between intimidation and the giggles as they come up to you and ask you to join their Hatchet Gang... or else. If you were lucky, you even got to see them harass a random guy (also an actor) and create a whole fight scene.
Get your "Riverdale" class photos done
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| Fans of Riverdale got to take year book photos. |
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| Pop's Chock'Lit Shoppe. |
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| Chill at the Diner. |
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| But watch out for Black Hood! |
Play nostalgic games at the "Stranger Things" arcade
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| Reliving nostalgia with arcade games. |
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| Remember this wall in "Stranger Things" season 2? |
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| Photo opportunities aplenty in the Upside Down with these cute bikes. |
Although the highlight wasn't much on "Stranger Things" this year as opposed to last year (as we heard), there was a fairly few experiences to check out to appease the 80's kid in us. This time around, the Hawkins Arcade was featured and it had popular games of the 80's like PacMan and Zaxxon. On the other end, we got to channel our 'possessed' Will Byers and draw with crayons, where our 'art' was then hung proudly on the Byer house wall. There's also a special doorway at the corner that gives you a glimpse into the Upside Down! Speaking of the Upside Down, there was a huge wall dedicated to it with replica bikes from the show to really get you to feel like part of the gang!
Say hello to stars and showrunners!
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| The people behind your favourite shows at APCC. |
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| When "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist" meet. |
The best part of Netflix at APCC is getting to meet the people behind some of your favourite shows. The co-executive producer for the popular animated series "Castlevania", the ever-eccentric Adi Shankar dropped by to unveil the world premiere of the second season of "Castlevania", while TOHO producer Takashi Yoshizawa talked about having the biggest Godzilla yet in "Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle". The lead of "Marvel's Luke Cage" Mike Colter came over with season 2 villain Bushmaster (Mustafa Shakir) and showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker, while not to be outdone, Finn Jones the lead of "Marvel's Iron Fist" came over with his new showrunner Reven Metzner to talk about season 2. The world premiere of the first episode of "Iron Fist" season 2 was also screened at APCC where Jones himself watched it for the very first time.
(This article was first published on Cinema Online)