"Red Sister" cosplay trend sparks debate at ACGHK

The 26th Hong Kong Ani-Com & Games Fair (ACGHK) kicked off on July 25 at the Wan Chai Convention Centre, drawing massive crowds for its five-day run. This year's event boasts *double the exhibition space* of 2024, featuring nearly *800 booths* showcasing anime, comics, and gaming merchandise.  

Eager fans queued hours before opening, but the spotlight unexpectedly shifted to cosplayers embodying "Red Sister", a controversial internet personality from Nanjing whose catchphrase ("Well, since I’m already here") has become a viral meme. At least three separate "Red Sister" cosplayers appeared on the show floor, creating a surreal and humorous scene.  

The cosplayers meticulously recreated Red Sister’s signature look: black tops paired with distinct long skirts. One attendee amplified the homage by carrying symbolic gifts seen in Red Sister’s viral videos – a bottle of oil and a whole watermelon. Capitalizing on the trend, one exhibitor erected a promotional board parodying her infamous "real-life love stories" under the tagline. 

Fan backlash emerges

The impromptu tribute, however, drew criticism from some traditional anime fans. Online discussions flared on platforms like Threads, with users questioning the relevance: "Some folks are unhappy about the Red Sister cosplay at ACGHK, asking what it has to do with anime... Is the Hong Kong public equating cosplay with eccentric outfits or turning events into Halloween?" Critics argued that the meme distracted from the core anime/gaming focus.

Origin of the "Red Sister" phenomenon

The "Red Sister" trend stems from a bizarre criminal case in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. A 38-year-old man, known online as "Red Sister," allegedly posed as a woman to engage in sexual encounters with numerous men, secretly filming and selling the footage. The case gained notoriety due to the victims' profiles and the perpetrator’s flamboyant persona.  

Nanjing’s Jiangning police confirmed on July 8th that the suspect, surnamed Jiao, was arrested on July 6 for disseminating obscene materials. While the legal case unfolded separately, the associated memes – including the gifts and catchphrases – permeated online culture, unexpectedly spilling into Hong Kong’s premier pop culture event.