Anime Festival Asia 2013 : The Pop-Up Anime Characters

I rubbed and blink my eyes again.

Is this for real?

Humanized anime Characters coming to life?

It was an eye-opening experience for me to see so many cosplayers from all over Asia who are gathered Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in the celebration of their love for anime.

I was surpriseb by the huge turnout of people who were mainly teenage boys in their thick black-rimmed glasses at Anime Festival Asia 2013 ( AFA’13). They are the ones who are mainly into manga ( Japanese comics), computer games and animation.

This festival is South-east Asia’s largest premium experiential festival for Japanese Popular Culture and today marks its 6th year!

Massive crowd = Avid photographers, curious onlookers, anime fans, tourists and cosplayers.

I never understood the fascination behind all these anime craze.

Why do cosplayers find it fun to dress themselves up to look like their favourite anime characters?

My friend, Candice had enlightened me with this simple explanation.

Wouldn’t you want to look like or be like your idol?

And their deep admiration for their idols is expressed through cosplay.

AFA Cafe
( ‘The Maid Cafe’)

Judging by the long queue right outside this cafe, I’m pretty sure that it’s one of the most exciting attraction at AFA’13.

The anime craze has invaded Asia. I’m definitely feeling the ‘heat’ and passion from these anime fans. They even brought their loved ones to be part of the cosplayer’s crowd too!

Mother-daughter’s interpretation of Attack on Titans.
Awww…so cute!

Cosplayers could have their personal photoshoot taken at Canon booths!

There’s a nail-painting booth too!

AFA Regional Cosplay Championship

After we got our nails painted, we made a dash to the other exhibition hall to catch the AFA Regional Cosplay Championship. We have missed the first half of the event and only manage to be in time for the prize presentation ceremony though.