[AFASG15] 5 GEMS NOT TO BE MISSED!
Not sure whether to get out of bed on that beautiful weekend morning for Anime Festival Asia?
Here are our top 5 hidden gems for the upcoming festival!
1. Sony: Music Merchandise Store
For as long as I’ve attended Anime Festival Asia (AFA), Sony’s Music Merchandise Store has never failed to burn a huge hole in my wallet with their lucrative offers and limited edition merchandise. Expect CDs & DVDs of your favourite Japanese artists like Scandal, FLOW, GARNiDELiA and many more!
So head down to Sony Music Merchandise Store (A02 on floor map) and start purchasing! Who knows, it could end up just like in previous years with impromptu autograph signing sessions! (Hint hint, it’s worth a shot!)
UPDATE!
On 28 Nov 15:00~ 16:00, Sony Music Merchandise store will organise a special HoneyWorks, CHiCO with HoneyWorks and Sana.
2. Canon Cosplay Zone
Are you perhaps a cosplayer? Having troubles finding a suitable location for your grand shot of the day? Well, Canon’s Cosplay Zone solves that problem! Now you can have the perfect location to shoot and if you lack props, you can borrow it there as well. Be amazed by their detailed concept areas, imagine a classroom or a Japanese style train platform right smack in the heart of the event!
That’s not all! An myriad of PIXMA and SELPHY printers are all geared up and ready to recreate those special shots for you as photo print outs!
The Selphy Corner is my absolute favourite. Print out the memories of your day’s visit with a Selphy printer! Too shy to approach the crew? Fret not, they’ll let you try it out yourself and be the silent guardians that come to your aid if you get stuck!
Of course the photographers aren’t forgotten! Have a look at the PIXMA photo gallery and try out a style or two, as you admire pictures of J-Pop stars and cosplayers that are exhibited! Evolve your photography skills to the next level with tips and tricks from Canon’s photo crew!
Did we mention Canon is also providing special deals and offers at their retail corner? A great chance for both novice and enthusists to check out new equipment, and aspiring photographers to get their hands on their very first ticket into the wonderful world of capturing memories~
3. Akiba Mini Stage
Akiba Mini Stage one the place where you can see your favourite guest cosplayers, idols and Anisong artist up close, play a game of scissors-paper-stone or two and get the selfie/wefie of your dreams!
The schedule for the mini stage has not been announced but you can be sure that Nijicon (Niji no Conquistador) and Stand-Up! Hearts will make their appearances there. A sight definitely not to be missed!
(Pisst! We have confirmed that there will be pretty long performances, or you can even call it a mini live, conducted throughout the day! Don’t forget your light sticks!)
3. Kadokawa
Just seeing this branding makes me think of the countless light novels and hot-selling manga published by them!
Definitely one of AFA’s most outstanding exhibitor, Kadokawa for those who don’t already know, is one of Japan’s power house in the multi-media scene.
Having Kadokawa (A15 on floor map) as exhibitors here can only mean one thing. Exclusive goods. With such a comprehensive portfolio, you won’t be disappointed by their diverse product catalogue this AFA! From figmas and scaled models, to pillow and bolster cases and even cosplay outfits! Wonder if there’ll be a rise in cosplays of Asuka Langley? Hmmm… that sailor uniform on sale does look pretty amazing!
You’d want to get up and rush over as fast as you can! Stocks are limited! As the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm!
4. Harappa
What better way of being able to create an official product without even having to deal with copyright infringement problems. Introducing the “Official Usagichan good sticker”. Harappa, the studio behind Urawa no Usagi-chan, came up with this idea in hopes of granting copyright license to anime merchandise creater or artist.
If you have never heard of Urawa no Usagi-chan, it is a 3-min comedy and slice-of-life original anime to showcase Urawa City in Saitama, Japan. The anime shows the group of girls going about their daily lifes in Urawa City.
This “Business Kit Starter Set” consists of 10 official stickers, DVD with three episodes of the anime, character data kit with usable illustrations, a business manual and support from the anime production committee.
5. Food Zone
Let’s time travel back to last years AFA. Remember at that insanely huge Nissin cup noodles at the booth and Seika Café that was beside it was? We’d hungrily slurp down cup noodles after going through the long queues at popular exhibitions like Muse.
Well, fear not. This year’s food zone has a large variety of food you can choose from! Food stations from Monster Curry to LoveLive Parfait Café to even Ramen Keisuke this year, we are simply spoilt for choice!
Ahhhh, to battle it out against the 6 levels of heat from Monster Curry, maybe dare a couple of friends or two to the level 5 curry, or indulge in a piping hot bowl of tonkotsu broth that’s just bursting with the salty, yet sweet taste of slow cooked pork with the rest of their magical ingredients? Maybe both?
If you are up for ramen, do join the queue early. They are only serving 2000 bowls of their signature Tonkotsu Ramen that is priced at $10!
Photography? Merchandise? Artists? Or Food? How about everything?!
AFA will definitely be able to accommodate to the various interests out there! With so much going on, I’m sure you won’t feel left out!