BEIJING: An anime convention in southern China recently evicted several cosplayers after they put their bare feet in water and sold the so-called “feet juice,” which attracted large crowds of onlookers eager to buy.
This activity mirrored a similar stunt at a US anime event in May, where a number of participants sold their feet juice for US$10-30 per cup, generating widespread controversy and heated discussions globally.
According to a report by Fengmang News, at the Firefly Comic Convention in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, some Chinese female cosplayers sat on chairs with their feet submerged in large boxes filled with water infused with lemon slices.
Their companions used disposable cups to scoop the “feet juice” to sell to spectators for 50 yuan (US$7) per cup.
“It is for entertainment only. We do not intend to guide in an inappropriate way,” read a notice displayed near the cosplayer’s stall.
Many attendees queued to buy the “feet juice,” while others took photos of this unusual product and its creators before posting on social media.
It remains unclear whether all buyers intended to drink the liquid. However, some viral videos depicted male visitors lying on the floor with their mouths open, trying to catch the water dripping from the cosplayer’s feet.
Reports revealed that some men even held the cosplayer’s feet to lick directly.
After the activity generated significant attention, leading to chaotic scenes, the convention organisers approached the involved cosplayers to request their departure from the venue.
The organisers stated that such activities were banned, citing concerns about public order and the event’s reputation.
This news triggered a wave of shocked and condemning reactions on social media in China.
“So absurd! One party dares to sell while the other dares to buy,” commented one internet user.
“I feel sick just reading this news. Are they challenging the hospitals’ infectious disease departments?” questioned another.
A third user remarked: “What’s wrong with the young people in our country? Aren’t they aware of public order and social norms? I suggest these cosplayers receive severe punishment.”
In recent years, anime conventions have surged in popularity across China, with over 400 major events taking place nationwide. The most prominent conventions draw up to 400,000 attendees.
For many young people, attending anime conventions and engaging with peers who share their interests has become a primary leisure activity.
However, some inappropriate and borderline behaviours have frequently placed these events under scrutiny.
In May, during an exhibition in Guangzhou, a female cosplayer climbed onto a car for photos, prompting numerous men to gather and touch her feet, leading her to call the police.
Additionally, a convention in Zhongshan, also in Guangdong, faced public backlash in June after a photography studio arranged for two underage girls to wear revealing outfits and perform provocatively to increase online traffic. - South China Morning Post
