Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2013 returns for the fifth year running and if you are an anime fan or a frequent visitor of Danny Choo‘s website, you must have already read all about it and booked your early-bird concert or pre-sales tickets. For those who haven’t, don’t fret as you will still be able to purchase the tickets at the event ground come this weekend.
Japanese anime is incredibly popular in Japan and since the early 60s, anime began to attract overseas audience and quickly became a pop culture with a huge following worldwide. Today there are over 430 production studios in the anime industry vying for fans viewership. There is a growing community of fans in Japan pop culture and anime in Singapore, in fact so much that a homegrown company SOZO decided to host its first ever anime festival here in 2008. It was critically successful and attracted over 45,000 visitors.
[[perfectpullquote]]Over 430 production studios in the anime industry[/[perfectpullquote]]This year they are moving back to Suntec exhibition halls after holding their event at Singapore Expo for the first time last year. We are guessing Suntec’s more accessible and central location is a crucial consideration factor for most big ticket events held this year, especially after completing its high-profile $410m makeover renovation. AFA has also announced new sponsors and media partners this year, a good sign and noticeably having a bigger line-up of performers this year. AFA named their booths and events area collective “Experience Zones” and in these zones you will find concert halls, maid cafe, cosplay showcase, and many favourite anime titles booths. Below are a summary of what’s to expect from the zones:
- I Love Anisong Concert featuring top anime music artists from Japan such as Eir Aoi, LiSA, May’n and fictional virtual artist EGOIST.
- A new AFA Cafe concept combining the popular Moe Moe Kyun Maid Cafe & Atelier Royal Butler Cafe.
- Japan Fashion Zone – Featuring the latest fashion trends from Japan.
- Akiba Town with exclusive merchandise from Japan.
- Creator Hub showcasing works from fans and local artists.
- AFA Regional Cosplay Championship – The most prestigious cosplay competition in South-East Asia.
- Movie & Anime Screening: Gintama The Final Movie and Little Witch Academia
Tickets range from $10 to $20 for entry to exhibition and main stage only available for purchase at the event days. Concert tickets are available for booking online starting from $58 to $428 depending on the days you wish to attend. We can’t help but feel disappointed that the concert ticket prices are becoming increasingly expensive over the years and at $428 for the 3-day package, it makes international superstars concerts looks cheap in comparison.
[[perfectpullquote]]it makes international superstars concerts looks cheap in comparison[/[perfectpullquote]]GDS Team will be there to cover the first day of the event, bringing you a preview of what’s happening there. For main stage schedules and floor plan, refer to the images below. (Click to open bigger image)
